France’s Antoine Dupont and England’s Courtney Luz will lead the 2 groups in Paris
We check out the important thing factors to speak in regards to the France-England Six Nations match on Saturday, together with French tensions forward of the title tilt, English accidents and France’s thrilling expertise…
Table of Contents
French tensions?
It is indeniable that France has performed the most effective rugby sport within the Northern Hemisphere for the previous three years, however the prizes to be proven for it up to now are nonetheless nil.
In each 2020 and 2023, France beat the winners of the Six Nations title – England in 2020, Wales in 2023 – however did not take the primary prize because of dropping different matches – Scotland away in 2020, England away and Scotland at residence in 2023. The truth is, a minimum of two of these defeats may be described as two collapses.
France was relieved after their 13-9 victory over Wales in Cardiff within the fourth spherical
In 2023, Les Bleus negotiated powerful obstacles within the type of Eire aligned in Paris and out of the Assessments towards Scotland and Wales. Nonetheless, they appeared visibly nervous and out of kinds in Cardiff.
2023 Six Nations Championship standings
| a group | W | Dr | The | SD | BP | s |
| France | 4 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 2 | 18 |
| Eire | 3 | 0 | 1 | 84 | 4 | 16 |
| England | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 2 | 10 |
| Scotland | 2 | 0 | 2 | -8 | 2 | 10 |
| Wales | 1 | 0 | 3 | -27 | 2 | 6 |
| Italia | 0 | 0 | 4 | -122 | 0 | 0 |
They kicked aimlessly, put the shoe into the ball excess of they did, knocked the ball time and again, and gave a catalog of pointless and avoidable penalties. They had been lucky in the long run to substantiate a 13-9 success towards the profligate Wales, who topped out a whopping 22 entries.
As France nears their first title and Grand Slam effort since 2010 they’re remarkably shy, and with the England group to return have some extent to show, and Eire ready within the wings for the title, we’d nicely see. Les Bleu edgy in Paris on Saturday evening.
France could also be tense and tense on Saturday with lots at stake
All as a result of Eire are taking part in towards them, and a house win towards Scotland would transfer Andy Farrell’s facet to the highest of the desk earlier than France fires the ball, including strain as soon as once more.
England play for satisfaction.. blended with strain
With the quantity all the way down to 14 after simply 82 seconds of their fourth-round match at residence to Eire final week on account of Charlie Ewells’ purple card, England made an enormous effort to remain put within the Take a look at, even tying issues up at 15-15 with 20 minutes remaining.
Whereas the defeat at residence was removed from very best, and most English persuasion pissed off on the full-time whistle, England followers, teaching workers and gamers alike left Twickenham pleased with their efforts.
Defeat evaporated any likelihood for England to move to Paris, and they also would ascend to the Stade de France with their satisfaction on the road.
As well as, there’s a actual danger {that a} defeat may see England end the event in fifth place. If that occurs, the positivity from England’s efficiency within the defeat to Eire will quickly be forgotten.
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England supervisor Eddie Jones says his final Six Nations match towards France will likely be an emotional and bodily problem.
Eddie Jones’ facet took second place within the Six Nations standings in 2018 and 2023. For the third time in 5 years for the world’s richest league, Jones will come beneath intense scrutiny, and gamers are additionally beneath hearth.
As such, England have lots to play for within the French capital. A dropping bonus level ought to make them keep away from fifth place, whereas a win will doubtless find yourself in third place.
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Jones added that his subsequent match towards the undefeated France will likely be a very good gauge of the place his group is at in the intervening time
English accidents show their fall?
Even though England proudly head to France to play and press to keep away from a poor end, the lengthy harm listing may negate the goodwill.
The most recent addition amongst their victims is influential winger Tom Curry, whose hamstring harm towards Eire has dominated him out.
Tom Curry is the most recent England participant to be overlooked, struggling a hamstring harm towards Eire
First participant Luke Kwan-Dickey is already lacking with a knee harm he sustained towards Wales within the third spherical, whereas midfielder Manu Tuilagi misses massively, together with his bodily potential, power and pace for the England squad.
Luke Kwan-Dickey sustained a knee harm towards Wales within the third spherical
The recurrence of Tuilagi’s hamstring harm after apparently returning earlier than Wales’ check was an enormous blow.
Founding wingers Anthony Watson (knee) and Johnny Might (knee), in addition to second rower Johnny Hill (ankle), missed all the event because of harm, whereas Kyle Sinclair didn’t work on his 100% health.
Manu Tuilagi’s hamstring harm was a extreme blow for England
The journey to face France away from residence may be very tough at the most effective of occasions, however the accidents to England, coupled with the French desperation for achievement, could also be an excessive amount of for the guests.
France’s thrilling expertise and the nation’s enthusiastic viewers
Though France had been removed from their finest in Cardiff final week, they’ve a squad filled with expertise.
Their defenders Romain Ntamak and Antoine Dupont are maybe probably the most skillful in international rugby – with the latter being topped FIFA World Participant of the 12 months for 2023 – whereas wingers Damien Benaud and Jabin Villier put in distinctive performances.
The truth is, Penaud has at all times been among the best wingers on the earth for the previous two seasons, whereas Villier has been on the scene not too long ago and was one of many Six Nations gamers this yr.
Wing Gabin Villiers was one of the outstanding gamers in 2023
Gael Fico on the middle has super potential and might do exactly sufficient of regardless of the coach desires from a midfielder, whereas his accomplice this yr in Jonathan Dante combines large energy with pace.
At full-back, Melvin Jamnett shortly developed right into a key participant, each with the ball in his hand within the sense of attacking and off the tee. Though his aerial work is maybe room for enchancment.
Among the many strikers, there are actual claims between Cyril Bell and prostitute Julian Marchand that they’re the most effective on the earth of their present positions, whereas Oweny Attonio stays one of many largest males the game has ever seen.
Paul Willems and Cameron Walkie got here collectively to make a powerful second-row run, whereas No. 8 Gregory Aldrett was a standout performer on the world stage. The rear rows of Francois Cros and Anthony Jelonch had been extra workable, however they’re additionally vital to the machine as a complete.
One solely has to have a look at the caliber of France’s non-participating gamers – Demba Bamba, Bernard Le Roux, Sekou Makalu, Yoram Movana, Ferimi Vakatawa, Teddy Thomas, Matisse Lebel, Brice Dolin, all of whom usually are not even within the 23-man squad; Romain Tauvigno, Thibaud Flament and Thomas Ramos stepped again off the bench – realizing the depth at their disposal.
Residence assist is large for France, too. New Zealand and Eire are a few of the finest groups on the earth in the intervening time, and it was due to large assist at residence that the France group pulled off a front-line towards the Irish in February and the All Blacks in November.
The assist and ambiance of the Stade de France had been nice for France
The followers are completely excited in Saint-Denis in the intervening time, and can tackle the fanatics on Saturday whereas France performs in one of many 4 Grand Slams. How will France – and England – doubtless cope with this?
Workforce information
France: 15 Melvin Jamenet, 14 Damien Benaud, 13 Gael Fico, 12 Jonathan Dante, 11 Gabin Villier, 10 Romain Ntamak, 9 Antoine Dupont; 1 Cyril Bell, 2 Julian Marchand, 3 Oweny Attonio, 4 Cameron Walkie, 5 Paul Willemsey, 6 Francois Croce, 7 Anthony Gillonch, 8 Gregory Aldrett.
Options: 16 Beto Mufaca, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gross, 18 Mohamed Hawass, 19 Roman Tovignoa, 20 Thibaut Flament, 21 Dylan Cretin, 22 Maxime Loko, 23 Thomas Ramos.
England: 15 George Forbank, 14 Freddy Steward, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Jack Noel, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Ellis Genji, 2 Jimmy George, 3 Will Stewart, 4 Maru Itogi, 5 Nick Ezekwe, 6 Courtney Legal guidelines, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Sam Symonds.
Options: 16 Nick Dolly, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinclair, 19 Olly Chissum, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Elliot Daly.
