As the Saracens hit top form, so do the team
Hlargest club contingent in Jones’ squad finally shake off rust and find their mojo to spark victory
Ball movement
England’s first try, a response to Antoine Dupont’s stunning opener, began with a familiar transfer from George Ford to Owen Farrell before Farrell released Anthony Watson.
A few phases later, Mako Vunipola’s slick distribution shifted the point of contact and allowed Henry Slade to waltz to within a couple of metres. France’s defence had been pulled out of shape by Farrell being in a second wave. Ford then sent Watson over the line.
England completed eight offloads in all, with Farrell responsible for three of them. When they adopt the right mindset, the midfield axis of Ford and Farrell remains a handy way of imparting width.
Indeed, had the former found the latter rather than a charging Tom Curry – who spilt – England would have scored their second try earlier.
Gain-line dominance
Since confessing to “rubbish” early performances, Billy Vunipola has flicked a switch and his carrying was back to its best against France.
When he is firing, the 28-year-old constantly tests the stamina of opponents as they are forced repeatedly to try to stop his 20st 6lb frame. Sure enough, it was his 18th and final carry that forced the penalty from which Maro Itoje scored.
Having thrown a pullback to Ford four minutes previously, Billy Vunipola approached the gain line and showed a dummy towards Farrell before surging forward. Replacement tighthead Dorian Aldegheri became trapped after making a “soak” tackle and referee Andrew Brace punished France.
The No8 was undoubtedly aided by the work of Curry and Luke Cowan-dickie in the carrying department, but England’s go-to man stood up at a crucial time.
Line-out stability
England’s line-out platform functioned well and they used Billy Vunipola cleverly from the receiver slot at five-man line-outs. From here he is able to join and steer mauls, he fizzes passes and is also able to join as a lifter, as he did to hoist Mark Wilson, with France marking Itoje. Charlie Ewels deserves credit here. His line-out work appeared to free up Itoje.
Disciplined defensive disruption
In the 12th minute there was a sequence that would have delighted defence coach John Mitchell. It began with Farrell hunting down Teddy Thomas and holding the wing above the ground. England regrouped, and Itoje clattered Mohamed Haouas on the following phase. On the next, Billy Vunipola stole in front of Paul Willemse to claim an interception.
Itoje was controlled throughout, yet did not compromise on disruption. He stifled Dupont as the game progressed, exemplified by his charge down and a tackle in the 72nd minute. Farrell also thumped the ball out of Thomas’s grasp and helped Slade to strip Virimi Vakatawa.
Impact replacements
When they arrived from the bench, Jamie George and Elliot Daly looked motivated by their omissions from the starting line-up. George clocked up 18 metres from just two carries, while Daly slipped five tackles.