KAYSER: STATIC ENGLISH GOING NOWHERE FAST THE SECRET OF WELSH SUCCESS? BIGGAR CAKES
BENJAMIN KAYSER claims France have a golden opportunity to end their miserable run at Twickenham against a “static” England side.
The Grand Slam-chasing French last won a Six Nations match in London 16 years ago, and their recent momentum has been stalled by a Covid outbreak sidelining them for a month.
But former Les Bleus star Kayser backs the visitors to shrug off internal discord over where the virus blame lies and avenge last October’s Nations Cup final defeat to Eddie Jones’ team. “In the French mentality what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” said the BBC pundit (right). “We will feed off any adversity, any story.
“A French camp that is completely stormless, and doesn’t have a little bit of fire in it, worries me more than when there is fire in the week.
“As long as they stick tight together and are ready to perform, as long as there is nothing broken between coach Fabien Galthie (right) and his staff and players, it’s ideal.” France have lost the last eight editions of ‘Le Crunch’ at Twickenham, but Kayser said: “England are static at the moment. They’re not showing any improvement. “France are the team on form, the team on the rise. They have got all their guys back and they are hungry.
“With people dreading that another lockdown in France may be on the way, they are leading by example in putting a smile on faces.
“They are the nation’s rainbow at the moment, our little ray of sunshine.
“But, and it is a big but, England were World Cup finalists. Never forget that, if they do wake up, they will be a serious, serious side.
“And there’s never a better time to wake up than against your historical enemy.
“If these guys switch back to the levels they hit in Japan, it’ll make for fireworks.
“France have to give respect to how good England used to be, can be and I’m sure will be again soon.”
Italy v Wales
Stadio Olimpico, kick-off 2.15pm
WALES are set to take another step towards a Six Nations Grand Slam today – powered by Dan Biggar’s wife’s baking.
The stand-off sergeant major has turned unofficial cake supplier to the squad as the side close in on a clean sweep.
It is a different twist on elitesport nutrition but the treats are helping to keep morale up in the bubble and push Wales on towards their goal.
Biggar said: “My wife Alex has started doing some baking with things like cookies and other bits and pieces.
“Somehow they’ve managed to get into the team room for our days off. The boys are loving them and at the moment we’re going alright off them, so hopefully we don’t slip up on Saturday.” In such a restrictive environment, small things can make a big difference and cake is the key to it for Wales at their team base.
“The Covid Cafe is getting quite famous now,” said Biggar. “It’s the highlight of the week where we sit down in the conservatory of the hotel and have a coffee and a cake. We sit there for two or three hours and pretty much put the world to rights. We moan about everything.
“Every time we see the Covid Cafe on the schedule the boys are in a better mood.
“We’re fortunate to be able to do that because it is such a long period for us to be in the camp and be so strict. It’s nice to be able to have a couple of down moments to sit and chill.”
It has a been a memorable campaign so far for unbeaten Wales but the restrictions have taken their toll. Biggar said: “It’s been very difficult for me. It’s a strange atmosphere to play in.
“We beat England and won a Triple Crown and it was such a low-key event. After the game we had one celebratory bottle of beer together and then we all got in our cars and drove home.”
A win over Italy today is all but guaranteed – their hapless opponents have lost their last 30 matches in the championship – but Biggar is demanding standards are maintained in Rome.
He added: “The focus has really been on having the same mindset we had for England at home. That tends to be our biggest game and we can’t be below that on Saturday.”