‘They will have to stand up to it, be better than in Cardiff’
France coach Fabien Galthie´ has rewarded his young players for beating Wales by naming an unchanged lineup to face England in the Six Nations tomorrow.
Galthie´ even kept the same bench for the game in Lyon after his new-look France side rallied to a 45-24 record score in Cardiff last Sunday after making eight changes.
“Now this team is faced with a big challenge, beating England six days later,” Galthie´ said. “They will have to stand up to it, be better than in Cardiff.”
After upsetting Ireland 23-22 last Sunday, England had to make one change. Wing Immanuel Feyi-waboso revealed concussion symptoms on Monday after his first test start.
Elliot Daly replaced him as expected. Daly was replaced in the reserves by Manu Tuilagi, who has recovered from a groin sprain in December to make the test team for the first time since the Rugby World Cup bronze final in Paris in October.
Back-rower Ethan Roots also has come in for Chandler Cunningham-smith, who injured a calf against Ireland.
Beating Ireland lifted England back into the title race. England will win the Six Nations if Ireland lose without a bonus point, and England beat France with a bonus point. France have a mathematical chance at the title.
“After such a hard-fought win against Ireland last week, we realise how important it is to back that performance up with a similar display in Lyon on Saturday,” England coach Steve Borthwick said.
Scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec is again preferred by France to Maxime Lucu, while centre Nicolas Depoortere, fullback Le´ o Barre´ and imposing lock Emmanuel Meafou also keep their slots following convincing test debuts against Wales.
“If you want to talk about energy, they brought lots and lots of energy,” Galthie´ said.
Le Garrec bossed the game behind the rucks against Wales and added a try for good measure.
Prop Georges-henri Colombe made a try-scoring debut off the bench in Cardiff and is again among Galthie´ ‘s “finishers,” as he likes to call impact players in the reserves.
Prolific goalkicker Thomas Ramos resumes in a makeshift flyhalf role to allow Barre´ to continue at fullback and counter England’s high ball.
Switching Ramos happened only because of a tournamentending knee injury to first-choice flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert in the 13-13 draw against Italy, but so far it has paid off.
“Thomas is very influential at organising play, and is also (influential) on other players,” Galthie´ said. “In terms of managing the high points and the low points, he’s very good.”
Louis Bielle-biarrey is on the left wing, while veteran Gae¨ l Fickou, who has started scoring tries again, partners Depoortere in midfield.
No. 8 Gre´ gory Alldritt captains the side at Groupama Stadium, where he will be joined in the back row by experienced flankers Charles Ollivon and Franc¸ ois Cros.