The two sets of forwards are well matched, so there is no worry about being
inferior in that department, while behind the scrum, I think these are the
10th set of half-backs that Philippe Saint-André has used since taking over
in 2011.
I used to go over there with the mentality that not only I am not going to
speak French to anyone before the game but I am not going to be cordial to
anyone either.
Then, you get stuck into them during the game, have a fight and then after the
game, it is all entente cordiale. I would urge England to do the same this
weekend.
Both sides have been hit by injuries, so both have been forced to be somewhat
cavalier in their selections. And there are one or two surprises on each
side too. I am really surprised about Billy Twelvetrees.
While he has been playing OK, he has hardly set the world on fire. He makes
decisions too early. You will see him sidestep, maybe five metres before his
marker is on top of him, and I just do not think that gets him anywhere.
If you contrast that with what Brad Barritt gives you. Barritt plays very,
very straight whereas Twelvetrees is too side-to-side for my liking.
Maybe Lancaster wants to play a wider game bringing in Jonny May and Jack
Nowell and believes that Twelvetrees’ pass, which is better than Barritt’s,
will help.
However, with Wesley Fofana, Yoann Huget and Maxime Médard playing in the France
back line, we run the risk of one or two interception passes from the 12
position. But after the autumn games England are desperate for more width.
It is often the thought of a coach who has not played in a back line that you
gain width with a 12 who can distribute. I disagree with that. Sometimes it
works, as it did with Mike Catt but sometimes it is actually to the
detriment of the game, especially if that 12 is running sideways.
You can greater width from the 13 channel if your 12 remains parallel to the
touchline.
When I look at the French selection, I see some genuine stubbornness on the
part of Saint-André.
François Trinh-Duc has been playing very well this season and two years ago,
when he played, England were not really in control until he was substituted.
After his departure, France went to pieces. He brings that element of
control and an attacking flair too.
With Jules Plisson, however, if England give him any space at all, he will run
them ragged. They have to make his life hell.
But let’s forget that for a minute and focus on what these young bucks can do
for England. If they can get a win this weekend, imagine what that will do
for the confidence, especially of young lads such as May and Nowell.
It is their chance to put a marker down in terms of the World Cup too.
However, they need to recognise the enormity of the challenge too. I know
only too well what it is like to be stood beneath a towering kick, with the
entire French pack bearing down on you.
First and foremost, they have to play with control. The Stade de France is
also a massive stadium, one of the biggest the players will ever play in.
They have to use that to their advantage and not get distracted by the big
screens.
Just concentrate on what your opposite number is doing. Also, they need to get
involved in the game early. Often these England v France games can just end
up as a battle between two sets of eight players trying to beat each others’
heads in!
Nowell carries the ball more than any other winger in the Aviva Premiership,
so he needs to do that, while May needs to show his counter attacking skills
early too.
It promises to be a great weekend and personally, I can’t wait for this one.
Come on England!
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Article source: http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/9119972/six-nations-chris-robshaw-re-appointed-england-captain
Six Nations 2014: It is about time France showed England some respect
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