YOUNGS WARY OF FIRED- UP FRANCE

BEN YOUNGS claims France are a team on a mission and England must match their emotion if they want to win the Autumn Nations Cup.

Eddie Jones’ men set up an AngloFrench final next Sunday with a

24- 13 victory over Wales in Llanelli.

It would be a mouth- watering prospect but for a deal between France’s clubs and national federation, preventing any player featuring in more than three end- of- year Tests, which means Les Bleus will have none of their stars at Twickenham.

What a terrible look for the tournament that the entire starting line- up which beat England in the Six Nations will be absent.

France’s line- up will instead boast fewer than 100 caps, compared to more than 800 in the opposition ranks. Yet Youngs, who on his own contributes 103, warned that what they lack in experience France could make up for in emotion following the tragic death of former winger Christophe Dominici last week. “Rugby is so much built on emotion, a lot of the game comes down to that,” said the scrum- half.

“With the sad news of Dominici and what that will do to their emotion levels, France will be desperate to put a performance out there in order to represent him.

“It is important we acknowledge what is coming and understand that it will be a factor in their emotional state.

“I expect a really passionate French team.”

With Dominici’s name embossed on the sleeve of their jerseys, and a giant photo banner of the winger on display at Stade de France, Fabien Galthie’s rookies crushed Italy 36- 5 on Saturday.

“Whichever French team takes the field will be ferocious,” said Youngs.

“We remember back to February when they ambushed us and really did teach us some lessons.”