The immovable object meets the unstoppable force
AND THE ENGLAND CENTRE STAR EXPECTS ‘BRUTAL FIREWORKS’ AGAINST LES BLEUS
BEN TE’O has promised “fireworks” when England and France collide in what Eddie Jones has billed as a “test of manhood”.
With the back-to-back champions needing a win to keep their hat-trick bid alive, Te’o has been recalled to deliver Jones’ demand for a “brutal” Red Rose display. “There’s a lot of history to the game,” said the Lions centre, who had played down historical relevance ahead of England’s Murrayfield misadventure. “We’re two physical teams across the water from each other, so obviously there are going to be fireworks. “There’s a fierce rivalry and there have been plenty of great games. I’m sure the fans can’t wait to see how it will play out.” Jones expects a response to defeat last time out and says that Te’o will set the tone by “getting an early shot” on opposite number Mathieu Bastareaud.
“He’s a bit of an icon player for them,” Jones said. “He’s been built up as the guy who’s going to regenerate French rugby.
“So it’s important that, early in the game, we let him know he’s going to have a tough day in the office.
“We have to be brutal against the French. You know every time you play against them it is a test of your manhood.”
Jones referred to “old stories” of French teams starting a game by deliberately kicking into touch in order to get straight to the physical confrontation of a set-piece.
“It is not like that now but it is still an area that will decide how much energy they have got in their game,” he added. “So we have got to beat them in those areas.”
England, five points behind Ireland whom they play next weekend, know anything less than maximum points could end their title challenge today – and they have never scored four tries on a Six Nations visit to Paris.
If England perform in the feisty, uncompromising image of new captain Owen Farrell, expect them to at least win.
“Faz is a natural born leader, that’s just part of his DNA,” said Te’o.
“It’s probably got something to do with him being around a professional environment since he was two!
“His dad Andy is a leader and it’s in his blood.”
A week today Farrell Snr coaches Ireland against Farrell Jnr.
Exactly what is riding on that game we will know shortly.