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Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Guinness Six Nations match between France and England at Stade de France.
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Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here). Here five talking points heading into the game:
Furbank the future at 15
Eddie Jones has taken a bold step by pitching uncapped Northampton full-back George Furbank into the Stade de France showdown.
(Continue reading below…)
Jim Hamilton discusses what influence Shaun Edwards will have on the French
Furbank’s dynamic running skills as part of a roaming brief have been instrumental in Saints’ resurgence this season but his lack of international experience is sure to be targeted by French half-backs Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont.
Time runs out for Daly experiment
The safer option once Anthony Watson had been ruled out by a calf injury would have been to retain Elliot Daly at full-back, but the ploy of playing the outside centre-cum-wing at 15 appears over.
Daly never convinced in a position he has occupied since June 2018 and his below-par appearance in the World Cup final loss to South Africa is likely to be his final outing there.
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The game of the weekend. #England #France #RugbyWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ug3iJ7MZPG
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Brutal Eddie
Jones has caused a stir in France after demanding England produce rugby of “brutal physicality” on Sunday. The controversy is over the connotations of the word brutal, which when translated means “violent”. France coach Fabien Galthie and manager Raphael Ibanez have returned fire, but Jones is unapologetic, declaring “you should translate it in a better way”.
World Cup hangover?
A 32-12 drubbing by the Springboks brought Japan 2019 to a heartbreaking conclusion as the team that had dismantled Australia and New Zealand in the previous rounds were routed in Yokohama. The defeat has been thoroughly debriefed, but the extent of the scarring will only become evident at the Stade de France.
https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/1223541897056215040
Evolution not revolution
France’s brave new era is not quite the radical overhaul by their head coach Galthie that was previously trumpeted. There are nine survivors from the starting XV edged by Wales in the World Cup quarter-final in October including Ntamack and Dupont and devastating outside centre Virimi Vakatawa.
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The backline bristles with attacking threats but if there is a weakness it possibly lies up-front in the form of an underpowered pack.
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Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments