The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Red Rose have rectified breakdown, says Hatley
England insist the breakdown issues exposed by Scotland have been rectified in time for today’s NatWest 6 Nations clash with France in Paris.
A key battleground at Murrayfield was dominated by the Scots, enabling them to inflict only the second defeat of Eddie Jones’ 26-Test reign in the shape of a 25-13 Calcutta Cup victory.
“We’ve learned our lesson there. We’ve had two weeks to put a lot of work into the breakdown, which we’ve done,” scrum coach Neal Hatley said.
“We’ve obviously identified it as an area that needed improvement and we’ve worked hard over two weeks right across the team.
“We respect the threat that France offer at the breakdown so it’s been a big area of focus for us.”
Les Blues endured a torrid 11 months until their 34-17 victory over Italy a fortnight ago, failing to produce a single win and changing coach in the wake of a dismal autumn that saw them draw with Japan and lose to New Zealand and South Africa.
Yet all of that will be washed away if they are able to win at the Stade de France, rescuing an otherwise disappointing Six Nations.
“We train hard all year, all season to play in this match. ‘Le Crunch’ is the pinnacle of the Six Nations for us,” Francois Trinh-Duc-Duc said.
Rob Howley hopes that Wales will see the best of wing George North in tomorrow’s clash against Italy in Cardiff.
North’s selection – his first Wales start since the final game of last season’s Six Nations – comes after he missed Northampton’s Aviva Premiership game against Sale Sharks last weekend.
Howley said: “If you look at his body language over the last couple of weeks against Ireland and England, he has done really well and deserves his start.”
Italy boss Conor O’Shea brings in Zebre centre Giulio Bisegni for Tommaso Boni from the team beaten by France in Marseille last time out.
Italy, bottom of the Six Nations table with two games left, have suffered 11 successive defeats against Wales.