IN FOR THE KILL
Setiano leads French call for revenge
from NEIL SQUIRES in Tokyo
ENGLAND will face a France side hell-bent on revenge for the shame they suffered when the sides last met.
The 44-8 hiding at Twickenham in February was England’s biggest win over the French for 108 years and it is still hurting Jacques Brunel’s men.
“We want to kill them,” said France prop Emerick Setiano ahead of Saturday’s World Cup clash.
And hooker Camille Chat says the French will use the memories of that drubbing to teach England a lesson.
“We have to take revenge for the Six Nations where they walked all over us,” said Chat.
There is even more on the line for France in the Pool C decider in Yokohama after their weak performance in scraping past Tonga 23-21 on Sunday, which saw them join England in the knockout stages.
“Against England we are going to give everything and not be thinking about who we play in the quarterfinals,” said No. 8 Gregory Alldrit. “It is Le Crunch, a special match.
“The English are the favourites, it is clear, but we need a springboard.”
England are considering resting players with one eye on the quarterfinal but no-one wants to miss what could be a fiery encounter.
“Everyone is desperate to play,” said England hooker Jamie George.
“You are always desperate to play in England-France games. They are huge games and some of my favourite memories have been against them.
‘‘It’s also another opportunity to represent your country in a World Cup – everyone is champing at the bit and desperate to get a go.”
Gareth Southgate changed almost his entire side against Belgium at last summer’s football World Cup and a 1-0 defeat pushed England into the easier side of the draw.
If England finish second their earliest meeting with favourites and reigning champions New Zealand would be in the final – providing the All Blacks top their group.
“We had Gareth in for two days but we didn’t really talk about that,” said England assistant coach Neal Hatley.
“You get momentum from winning and we want to win all the games. There’s been no team who have ever won a World Cup having lost a pool game and that sets a precedent.
‘‘France is a traditional enemy and we want to beat them.”
Billy Vunipola (ankle) and Joe Marler (back) could be forced to sit out the game through injury. Mark Wilson would be the probable stand-in for Vunipola. ARGENTINA’S Tomas Lavanini has been banned for four matches for his red card tackle on Owen Farrell on Saturday.
He will miss the Pumas’ final game against USA tomorrow and three games for his new club Leicester.