1
For a number of nations including France, the story of their opening Guinness Six Nations match is one of rejuvenation. For England, it’s one of consolidation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Eddie Jones has named his 23 for the clash with France in Paris on Sunday and there are few surprises among the group, with many of the squad having played pivotal roles in guiding England to the World Cup final in Japan last year.
Injuries to Billy Vunipola, Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell have seen a re-jigging of the back row and back three, with Courtney Lawes stepping into the back row alongside Sam Underhill and Tom Curry, and George Furbank making his international debut alongside Elliot Daly and Jonny May.
There is consistency in the front and second rows, where Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler and Maro Itoje take up their accustomed positions with Charlie Ewels, while the Leicester Tigers duo of Ben Youngs and George Ford are retained in the half-backs.
Owen Farrell lines up alongside Manu Tuilagi in the centre to complete the starting XV, with experienced faces such as George Kruis and Jonathan Joseph available from the bench.
(Continue reading below…)
The Rugby Pod preview the 2020 Guinness Six Nations
For the time being, it seems as though Jones is more than happy to continue with the bulk of the squad that made it to that final. If anything more than tweaks are to come to the group, they are set to occur later in the tournament.
French rugby may have been in a lull in recent years, but that does not make Paris any easier of an environment to blood newcomers, particularly when they are wearing the red rose on their chests. As for France, there is a freshness to their side that has not been seen for a number of years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mohamed Haouas and Anthony Bouthier both make their debuts in the starting XV, while Boris Palu and Cameron Woki will do likewise if brought on from the bench. Starting lock Bernard Le Roux and bench loosehead Jefferson Poirot are the only French forwards in the 23 to have over 20 caps and the group will be testing themselves against an England pack that surpassed nearly every group that they faced last year.
England were "the best team" at the RWC, but Thomas Casteignede tells @chrisjonespress that France can beat them in Paris this weekend. https://t.co/Zs9xJyy7wI
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 31, 2020
There is much more familiarity in the back line, where Toulouse pair Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack take on responsibilities in the half-backs, with Gael Fickou and Virimi Vakatawa outside of them. Exciting attacking talents Teddy Thomas and Damian Penaud line up alongside Bouthier in the back three.
That said, a lack of experience among the replacements is also apparent, with Mathieu Jalibert and Vincent Rattez boasting just four caps between them, though Baptiste Serin is tried and tested at this level. This really is the beginning of a new era for France and Fabien Galthie has held little to nothing back in his first fixture in sole charge of the side.
ADVERTISEMENT
If the French backline is given quick, front-foot ball, they have the ability to shred any defence they come up against. To ensure that doesn’t happen, Jones will need to make sure his charges back up his words earlier in the week about giving the young French pack a lesson in “brutal physicality.”
Lawes says he doesn't plan on backing down on social media. https://t.co/QO7JDT5Yrk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 30, 2020
The French league is hardly renowned for its lack of physicality, but given the youthful theme to Les Bleus’ forwards, it’s unsurprising that it’s an area which Jones and England will look to target. By contrast to the French side, England’s starting pack only has three players with less than 30 caps – Underhill, Curry and Ewels.
In short, England will look to do to France exactly what South Africa did to them in the final a few short months ago. Where the intrigue comes for England fans is in the forms of starting full-back Furbank and bench tighthead Will Stuart, who will make his international debut if Sinckler doesn’t play the entire 80 minutes.
Stuart has prospered since leaving Wasps for Bath in the summer. Despite his new club’s indifferent form so far this campaign, he has been given the first audition to be the man to replace the veteran Dan Cole and push Sinckler for his spot in the starting XV. With his impressive work and tenacious ball-carrying, Jones has opted for a like-for-like ‘finisher’ to replace Sinckler, as opposed to the more traditional tighthead, Harry Williams.
Eddie has his No.8 https://t.co/b9n56GSyOA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 31, 2020
As for Furbank, his debut comes on the back of an excellent 18 months or so for Northampton Saints where a role as the deputy for the injured Harry Mallinder has swiftly turned into him having locked down the jersey and catapulted himself into senior international rugby. Daly may well return to the 15 shirt against Scotland if Watson proves his fitness next week, although this is still a significant opportunity for Furbank to show that he can cut it at this level and continue to push Daly in terms of selection.
Away from those two players, however, it’s largely the England squad that went all the way to the final last year and their retention has been a reward for the performances they put in during their time in Japan.
England have the form and the experience. France have, as bizarre as it may sound in front of their passionate home crowd, nothing to lose. It’s a game where tactics and team efforts will prove decisive, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t individual and positional duels that could prove pivotal in delivering the win.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
The @RugbyPass Player of the Month for January is @SaleSharksRugby forward Daniel du Preez! https://t.co/22CvCZqpwA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 31, 2020
Julien Marchand vs Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and Charlie Ewels
This will be only Marchand’s third game in the blue of France and though experienced and very effective for Toulouse domestically, three premier lineout threats like Itoje, Lawes and Ewels will undoubtedly test his ability. If he can develop that chemistry with his jumpers and provide a consistent platform from which France can launch their devastating backline, it will go a long way to delivering his side a much-needed victory.
On the other hand, if England can pressure Marchand early and disrupt his throws, it will spread the seeds of doubt in France’s inexperienced pack. It will certainly test the credentials of captain Charles Ollivon and senior second row Bernard Le Roux.
Virimi Vakatawa vs Manu Tuilagi
Both players pack quite the punch as ball-carriers, although it is their footwork and ability to beat their opposite number on the outside with a bust of speed that really sets them apart at this level. How they attempt to contain one another defensively could have a major influence on proceedings out in Paris on Sunday.
The quickness of the ball that both centres have to work with will be key and if they are delivered that ball in timely fashion, either could make the sort of devastating midfield breaks that will sway this game in the favour of their side.
Damian Penaud, Anthony Bouthier and Teddy Thomas vs Ben Youngs, George Ford and Owen Farrell
One of the major philosophies of England under Jones has been to kick before they are forced to kick. By putting the kicking game on their own terms, rather than those of the opposition, they are far more likely to enjoy favourable outcomes in the search for space, territory and contestable aerial duels.
If England’s forwards can deliver quick ball to England’s three major kicking options, they will make the jobs of Penaud, Bouthier and Thomas that bit more difficult. In contrast, the French back three will need to be intelligent in their decision-making as to when kick back to England, an area where the RWC finalists generally excel, and when they attempt to run the ball. England’s aggression on the kick chase can leave space in behind, especially if the French back three are able to avoid the first-up tackle.
Prediction
This is an exciting French team that have the opportunity to capture the hearts and minds of their fans in arguably the most anticipated fixture in northern hemisphere rugby, Le Crunch. It’s a team built to play at the tempo that is now required in international rugby and it’s a group littered with younger players on steep and upward trajectories.
That all said, they are coming up against an England team that has been flying high over the last twelve months. It has experience, youth and a nice balance on the pitch, not to mention a Saracens core with plenty to prove. Unless there is a significant RWC hangover that we are yet to see, England go into the game as understandable favourites.
England by ten.
WATCH: Chinese team named for Global Rapid Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Jake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
9 Go to commentsThe Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
9 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
35 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
35 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
86 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
9 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
35 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
9 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
9 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
11 Go to comments