Pelous follows Johnson lead

By Bryn Palmer

Pelous is France's most-capped forward

France will be captained this year by their own version of Martin Johnson, according to team manager Jo Maso.

Veteran lock Fabien Pelous has taken over from scrum-half Fabien Galthie, who retired after the World Cup.

Maso believes Pelous offers the Tricolores similar qualities to retired England skipper Johnson.

"Fabien is a bit like Johnson," Maso told the BBC Sport website. "He gives the team solidarity, he is our leader in battle."

Pelous is France's most-capped forward with 86, and led the side 15 times in 2000-2001.

Maso added: "Fabien has already captained the side before but he has greater maturity and stature now.

"He used to get a bit stressed about it but now he is happy to take the responsibility.

Johnson's character gave confidence to the whole England team Jo Maso

"He has the confidence of all the players and is an example for the others to follow."

Maso revealed his admiration for Johnson saw him write a letter to the former England captain after his recent decision to retire from Test rugby.

"I told him that France admired what he did for his country," Maso said.

"To go out as captain of the side that won the World Cup showed his real worth as a player and he was respected by everyone in France.

"Johnson's character gave confidence to the whole team but England are a great side with other leaders and they can cope in his absence."

Maso picked out scrum-half Matt Dawson and the experienced back-row trio of new captain Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back and Richard Hill.

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France have bolstered their own options in that area by recalling 30-year-old Thomas Lievremont, who won his last cap against England in 2001.

"Thomas is in top form for Biarritz and is the leader of their team," Maso explained.

"He has been injured a lot in the last few years but he is now back to the level he was two or three years ago."

Lievremont will provide an alternative number eight option to new vice-captain Imanol Harinordoquy, who may also be used at openside flanker.

"There is a good balance of the old and the new," said Maso. "It is a marriage of maturity and the enthusiasm of the young."