England, France at war again
JONES WARY OF UNPREDICTABLE SIDE
It was once billed as “Le Crunch” but England coach Eddie Jones was ready for a rugby “war” against France in the opening match of his Grand Slam champions’ Six Nations title defence at Twickenham today.
England, on a 14-match unbeaten run – 13 of those wins since Australian coach Jones was installed after their lacklustre first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup – will be firm favourites.
But Jones insisted Les Bleus would prove as formidable opponents as any of the “teams” who’ve troubled England in their long history of rather more serious conflicts with France.
“It’s always a historic game, certainly there is history between France and England,” said Jones.
“We’ve got one staff member who is into history – (defence coach) Paul Gustard.
“There’s been 20 wars between England and France. That’s a lot of rivalry there. There is another one happening on Saturday,” the Australian added.
“We are going to face a side that’s desperate for success. They are under pressure to play with French flair.”
Jones has drafted utility back Elliot Daly in on the left wing while injuries have seen him reshape his pack.
Maro Itoje, best known as a lock, makes his first Test start in the back row after blindside flanker Chris Robshaw was ruled out of the entire Six Nations with a shoulder injury.
“The boy’s got athletic ability,” said Jones of Itoje. He’s a great defender and that’s what we want from 6 – a great defender.”
Turning to Daly, whose last England appearance saw him sent off for a dangerous tackle against Argentina in November, Jones added: “He has a big left-foot kick and has genuine pace.”
With George Kruis, Itoje’s lock partner at both Saracens and England, out with a knee problem, Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury will start in the second row.
England will also be without the injured Vunipola brothers, with prop Mako replaced by Joe Marler, who said drinking vast quantities of milk lay behind his recovery from a fractured leg.
France will be looking to go one better after running both world champions New Zealand and Australia close in November defeats.
Scrumhalf Baptiste Serin has been given the chance by French coach Guy Noves to show what he can do from the start.
“Serin was effective off the bench in November after a good tour of Argentina,” said Noves.
“It seemed wise to see what he could give in a difficult context from the start of the match.”
An admiring Noves was wary of even an injury-hit England.
“Like anyone else, we can only admire the continuity in their results, their mindset,” he said.
“But I hope we will show we can start doing the same. We know their development system is so good that even with a few injuries, they have enough depth.”
Someone who knows the English game well is gifted France back-row Louis Picamoles, now with Premiership side Northampton, where he plays alongside England captain Dylan Hartley.
“It’s helped his career, coming to Northampton,” said Jones.
“He would be probably 15 percent fitter than I’ve ever seen him.” – AFP