French set to front up

FRANCE captain Guilhem Guirardo expects Dylan Hartley to come out all guns blazing with no hangover from his latest disciplinary run-in.

Hartley comes into the game off the back of a dressing-down from Eddie Jones after a six-week suspension which took his career aggregate to a blood-curdling total of 60.

But Guirado does not anticipate meeting a watered-down version of England’s firebrand captain when the two hookers lock horns at Twickenham.

“I know Dylan is seen as a controversial character in England but I’ve played against him many times and he will be faithful to himself; he loves to impose himself in a fight,” said Guirardo.

“He’s a leader for Eddie Jones. I know he will be there in the scrummaging and the rucks.

“We know England are a very efficient side with a direct approach and above all we are aware of the ferocity with which they play. We know we must be aggressive in defence and attack.”

Hartley’s presence in a front row that includes another player – Joe Marler – who may be rusty after a lay-off gives France a target.

Their monster pack, which includes 24st prop Uini Atonio, is ready for a set-piece confrontation they believe they can edge.

“We know England will be competitive at the scrum. When you have 14 wins successively, that means your set-piece is very reliable so we know it will be a tough game,” said French forwards coach Yannick Bru.

“The battle in the scrum, when you are French, means a lot of things. I hope Guilhem and his friends in the front row do the job.”

Bru added: “There’s a special emotion in playing England in our first match, particularly as they beat us in the last game to win the Grand Slam.”