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Ibanez on England: 'I can testify... the absence of motivation does not exist'
By PA
England may have struggled in the Guinness Six Nations but France manager Raphael Ibanez insists they will still be defiant opponents in Paris on Saturday.
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Les Bleus stand one victory away from the Grand Slam as they go in search of their first title since 2010 and are expected to register an emphatic victory over Eddie Jones’ underachievers.
It would build on a successful autumn when New Zealand were dealt with convincingly, but Ibanez knows from his time at Wasps and as a hooker for France that England possess the heart that is occasionally lacking in his own national team.
“The 40-25 victory over the All Blacks in the autumn created a super dynamic at the heart of the side which has lasted,” Ibanez said.
“Now there is a match to play against an England side for whom – I can testify first hand because I had the opportunity to live and play at the heart of domestic English rugby for six years – the absence of motivation does not exist.
“There is no lack of passion, which we sometimes have felt in French teams. All matches are important to them and it is that which makes them strong and tough to the point of being back breakingly so.”
How France handle the pressure will be key to their hopes of claiming their fourth Grand Slam of the Six Nations era and head coach Fabien Galthie insists they are ready to draw strength from previous setbacks.
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“In terms of experience we are approaching our 25th Test together. It’s our third Six Nations and we have lived through a lot together,” Galthie said.
“These players now have a collective experience together, they have grown a lot in two years. We have learned from our defeats.
“Our runners-up places in the tournament have taught us an enormous amount and will continue to serve us well in this collective experience of our preparation.”
