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England vs France - Live Match Centre

Engalnd fell to France in last year's tournament

Follow the below link to the RugbyPass Live Match Centre for moment by moment coverage of today’s massive game between England and France at Twickenham in Dublin (kick off – 15.00 UK time)

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*** Match Centre ***

England were magnificent as they opened World Cup year with a 32-20 demolition of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Next up in their pursuit of the Six Nations crown surrendered to the Irish last year is Sunday’s clash with France, and here Press Association Sport examines five talking points heading into ‘Le Crunch’.

Things can only get better

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Eddie Jones has sent an ominous warning to the other five nations by declaring he is certain England will be even better against France. Surpassing the performance that crushed Joe Schmidt’s men is a tall order given that so much of it was faultless, but it is the target set before the new tournament favourites.

Farrell in control

Owen Farrell led from the front in the win over Ireland
Owen Farrell led from the front in the win over Ireland (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

A number of players excelled at the Aviva Stadium and among them was Owen Farrell, who came through a key match in his development as captain with his leadership credentials enhanced. The Saracens playmaker showed a level of composure that has been missing at times and crucially, displayed a lighter touch when communicating with the referee.

The hare and the tortoise

France v Wales – Guinness Six Nations – Stade De France
France coach Jacques Brunel may try to frustrate England (David Davies/PA)

England are overwhelming favourites to sweep aside a typically chaotic France but they see danger in their rivals’ ability to slow the game down. Former prop Joe Marler has talked about the tricks they use to rob opponents of momentum, reducing the match to a stop-start series of set-pieces. If England are to repeat their Dublin heroics, they must play at their own pace.

Unfit for purpose

Are French players' refuelling habits affecting their performances?
Are French players’ refuelling habits affecting their performances? (Laura Lean/PA)

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France’s desire to drain the energy from the game is borne out of their poor conditioning, an issue exacerbated by the low tempo of the Top 14. They are able to field a gargantuan pack but this is to the detriment of their mobility, while their fitness levels are among the lowest in the Six Nations. Stories of players smoking and drinking around matches are common place.

Advantage May and Ashton

 

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“little pop just before the line, yeah?!” ??

A post shared by Chris Ashton (@chrisashton14) on

In picking two centres on the wings, France have exposed a vulnerability that can be exploited by two of the finest finishers in the game – Jonny May and Chris Ashton. May has electric speed and Ashton’s support lines are key to his brilliance as a poacher.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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