Hughes must step up and lead from the front

NATHAN HUGHES needs a big game if England are to retain an interest in the Six Nations title beyond today.

He needs to show he can do more than stand in the backfield and truck it up. He needs to influence the game with smart decisions.

At the moment there is a gulf between Hughes (above) and Billy Vunipola, England’s first-choice No.8. For England to beat France, that gap has to be narrowed.

Hughes has to organise the team and tactically run the side with the half-backs, which he did not do in Scotland. If he is not in the shake-up for man-of-the-match I don’t see England winning.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Eddie Jones’ selection. Anthony Watson at fullback and Elliot Daly back on the wing gives England a real attacking threat.

Add in Ben Te’o’s midfield muscle and Jones has sent a message that his team are up for the fight but also for the challenge of winning with four tries.

It is a tall order however. Never in the Six Nations have England scored that many tries in Paris. What’s more, in their last two games they have not mustered a single point beyond the 43rd minute-mark.

The French are obviously not world beaters but nor can they simply be written off. Not in this fixture. This one really matters to them.

England at their best will win but to get to that level requires them controlling the breakdown and adapting on the hoof as the game unfolds - both of which they failed to do at Murrayfield.

Gone is the leadership and organisation of Dylan Hartley, Mike Brown and Jonathan Joseph. Others have to step up.