Sporting ironies

It is indeed ironic with the World Cup and Tour de France looming up that England could be supplying the winner for France’s premier sport and competition and that France has a much better team in football, our national sport.

Pargie and I reckon at 13-2 France offers the best value Their squad is largely comprised from la Liga and the Premiership – Lloris of Spurs, Mendy of Manchester City, Pogba of Manchester United, Kante of Chelsea and – over in Spain – Dembele and Umtiti of Barcelona, Varaie  and Benzema of Real Madrid, Antoine Griezmann of Atletico.

It’s a powerful squad and unlike England all of these start for their clubs.

The traditional French problem is lack of esprit de corps but perhaps head coach Didier Deschamps, World Cup-winning captain and water carrier can address and resolve this. You still worry that against Germany they will fold.

As for the Tour, one feels that unless the Saltamiol issues debars his entry, Chris Froome will be a five-time winner.

Cycling is dirty sport and the sulphurous odour hanging over Team Sky does not go away but you can’t see anyone beating him, let alone a Frenchman.