FRANCE V ENGLAND, TODAY, 3PM

TOM Curry has taken tips from Billy Vunipola and David Pocock to ease his adjustment to number eight, but the England back row will still play to his own strengths.

Curry was one of the stars of last autumn’s World Cup, his ferocious defence and power in the carry identifying him as one of the game’s most potent flankers.

But today’s Guinness Six Nations opener against France in Paris is his first start at No. 8 after Vunipola was ruled out of the tournament by a broken arm.

Curry has been chosen over Lewis Ludlam and Ben Earl to fill the void created by Vunipola’s absence and the 21-year-old has turned to his England team-mate and Australia great Pocock for guidance.

“I don’t think my game changes massively because of this. I want to stay true to myself,” the 2019 world player of the year nominee said.

“An eight will get into different positions to a six or seven so there might be a few more opportunities to carry and I may be in the backfield a bit more.

“I’ve analysed players, so how Pocock moved to eight, how Billy carries at eight.

“Billy’s work-rate and how he thinks about the game – I’ve analysed them and take things from them, but at the same time I want to do what I’m good at.

“As a team we need to go at France from zero to 80 and must be relentless. Every tackle, every carry, every clean-out has to be done with the fullest intent we have.”

For the first time since June 2018,

England will enter a Test with a new face at full-back after George Furbank was given his debut for the Stade de France showdown.

Furbank’s promotion forces Elliot Daly on to the left wing, the position where he won the majority of his 42 caps until being moved to 15 in an experiment that appears to be over following the World Cup.

Furbank has flourished at Northampton this season after being given a roaming role by coach Chris Boyd and Jonny May, who lines up on the right wing, expects that form to translate to the international arena.

“I’ve been really impressed with George. He’s a young guy but is mature and he’s ready,” May said.

“He has a great appreciation for the game and has a bit of X-factor to his running game and skill set.

“He’s one of those players who looks like he’s got time on the ball. All the training we do is designed to put us under stress and fatigue to test our skill set.

“He always looks like he’s got time on the ball and that’s the trait of potentially a world-class player.”

Meanwhile Raphael Ibanez declared “bring it on” in anticipation of the forward onslaught expected from England in Paris on Sunday

France’s manager and former captain is aware that Les Bleus begin their Guinness Six Nations campaign against a team determined to make amends after their pack was dismantled by South

ANDY Farrell’s reign as Ireland coach got off to a winning but unimpressive start as his side earned a fortunate 19-12 Six Nations win over Scotland.

Johnny Sexton scored all 19 Irish points, including a first-half try, as the hosts profited from Scotland’s inability to take numerous chances.

Stuart Hogg’s knock-on over the whitewash in the second half summed up Scotland’s try-less day.

Man-of-the-match CJ Stander’s late turnover secured Ireland’s win.

Ireland at least got the win but will know a similar performance against Wales next week will almost certainly result in defeat.

Ireland were looking to rediscover their identify following a troubled World Cup, but this was not so much a new dawn as an indication their most glaring issues were not left in Japan.

Scotland will take little solace from the fact they dominated large parts of the game, because once again their lack of cutting edge saw a positive

Africa in last autumn’s World Cup final.

It is the first outing for the new coaching team, led by head coach Fabien Galthie and Ibanez knows up front is the key battleground.

“The England pack will try to redeem themselves after the experience of the World Cup final in that area,” Ibanez said.

“We are very aware of their quality in the forwards. They have a great, big, strong tight five and hopefully we’ll be able to match that.

“There’s no doubt it’s an area where there will be a fierce battle. But that’s what Test match rugby is all about. Good. Bring it on.”

France are dismayed by Eddie Jones’ call for England to play with “brutal physicality” as the word brutal has connotations of violence when translated.

But Ibanez believes it is easy for coaches to make bold declarations of intent.

“It’s easy to talk when you are sitting in stands and that’s exactly what we’ll be experiencing – Fabien, myself and the English head coach,” Ibanez said.

“It’s always down to the players to express themselves, so let the players do the talking.”

Wing Damian Penaud is a doubt because of a calf problem sustained at the start of the captain’s run held at the Stade de France on Saturday.

“He is undergoing tests and we will see what the results are from those. We hope they won’t be too significant,” Ibanez said. result slip away. Scotland’s pre-tournament build-up was thrown dramatically off-course last Monday when news emerged that star fly-half Finn Russell had left the camp following a breach of team protocol. The visitors began in Dublin as firm underdogs but clearly relished the opportunity to send a clear message to those who wrote them off.

Up front, where Ireland would have expected to dominate, Scotland stood toe-to-toe with their opponents at every physical encounter.

Their endeavours should have yielded more points than the six they took into half-time.

Head coach Farrell will have been thankful for Ireland’s outstanding work at the breakdown, where they won five penalties inside their own 22 in the opening half to keep the Scots at bay.