Who’s in charge?

Guy Noves, the veteran who was in charge of Stade Toulousain for many years, has taken over from the unlamented Philippe Saint-Andre. The 61-year-old, who won seven caps as a winger back in the late 1970s, had extraordinary success with Toulouse, winning ten championships and making them a dominant force in the early years of the Heineken Cup.

But his last European honour was in 2010, and his last domestic title two years later, leading some to suspect that his best days are behind him. What would have happened if he had taken over from Bernard Laporte in 2007 instead of the job going to Marc Lievremont? That can only be a matter for speculation, but it is a question that could haunt French rugby if this appointment does not work.

Encouraging World Cup?

Not really. They disposed of Italy, Romania and Canada comfortably enough to ensure qualification from Pool D, but then lost 24-9 to Ireland.

That took them through as runners-up to a quarter-final with the All Blacks, a team who have often had good reason to fear them over the years - their World Cup defeats at the hands of Les Bleus in 1999 and 2007 traumatised the New Zealanders for years. This time, however, the French were absolutely shredded by the eventual winners, going down 62-13.

How are they looking now?

Having been shapeless and at times clueless during the latter stages of Saint-Andre’s tenure, France may need some time to get back to their best. Still, despite that humiliation by the All Blacks at the World Cup, they can at least reassure themselves that against the best opposition Europe has to offer they are not that far away. They went into the final day of last year’s Championship, for example, with an outside chance of taking the title, but a 55-35 defeat by England consigned them to fourth place.

Who’s in, who’s out?

Thierry Dusautoir, the captain and back-row forward, stood down after the World Cup. His leadership, his hard work, and his composure even in the midst of chaos: all will be sorely missed. Mathieu Bastareaud, the bulky centre so feared at times by opponents but at others no more than a rough tough cream puff, has been omitted by Noves.

Of those novices brought into the squad by the new coach, the most noteworthy is one of his proteges from Toulouse, Yacouba Camara. The 21-year-old flanker has been a star for his national under-20 side, and may just be ready to make the step up to the big time. Another one to watch is Jonathan Danty, the 23-year-old Stade Francais centre who, like Camara, was a star at age-group level.

Where are they strong?

They remain a richly talented squad with the ability to win a match in a number of different ways - provided they remember that rugby is a team game where a degree of cooperation is required. At their best, experienced men such as back-row forward Louis Picamoles, scrum-half Morgan Parra and centre Wesley Fofana can swiftly turn a game in France’s favour - although Parra had to sit out training last week because of an ankle injury.

Where are they weak?

With a Wooden Spoon and three fourth-placed finishes under Saint-Andre, there is a case for arguing that this French team are simply playing to their level rather than being serial underachievers. Certainly, they have played poorly for so long now that it may take Noves a couple of seasons to get them to remember how to play at their best. And, while they still have several outstanding individual players, some, such as Parra, appear all too prone to costly gaffes.

Above all, however, the loss of Dusautoir could hit France hard, especially in the back row, where his strength of character as much as his physical prowess so often kept his team in the hunt during games that seemed to be slipping away from them. Even with Dusautoir in the ranks they had lost the self-belief that once allowed them to play the game with a winning swagger. Without him, they need to find some new backbone.

Key player

Louis Picamoles. The Toulouse No 8, who will move to Northampton in the summer, has to take over from Dusautoir by providing leadership at the breakdown. At 29 he is at his peak, and with more than 50 caps to his name he has the experience required to steady any nerves his less seasoned team-mates may be feeling.

Who will they be worried about?

Italy, first of all. Noves has been presented with the best possible fixture for his Six Nations debut - the Italians, the weakest team of the half-dozen, at home - but there will still be a nagging fear of an upset. The Italians have previous when it comes to getting the better of a supposedly far more able French side, and have won two of the last six meetings between the countries.

With tough games against Ireland at home then Wales away to follow the opener against Italy, Noves has to win, and win well, first up to build any sort of momentum. Otherwise, he could be looking at the kind of lowly finish that became second nature under Saint-Andre.

What will they be happy with?

Two or three good wins, a finish in the upper half of the table, and above all some evidence that they are heading in the right direction after drifting for too long.