Powerful prop: Thomas Domingo
England forward's coach Graham Rowntree is preparing his side for a frontal assault in Saturday's clash with France at Twickenham.
The French arrive under massive pressure after losing their opening two games of the championship for the first time since 1982 and Rowntree expects the visitors' pack to be breathing fire.
"Philippe Saint-André is already saying this is their Grand Slam," said Rowntree on Tuesday.
"It will change the whole complexion of their championship if they win at the weekend and the way they will challenge us is through their forward pack.
"There is never a weak French scrum. We are preparing for (loosehead prop Thomas) Domingo. I think he will start.
"We have been watching him play for Clermont. He has been around that set-up for a few years now. He is an incredible scrummager, a compact little unit but technically very good.
"As an outfit, regardless of results, that area of the game is something we always respect with France."
The England staff have a few decisions to make in their own front row with Saracens prop Mako Vunipola, who has been used an 'impact player' of the bench so far, pushing hard for a starting berth ahead of Joe Marler.
"He played well (against Exeter) didn't he? He has been one of the real breakthrough players of the season so far," noted Rowntree.
"I am delighted with his progress. He demonstrates the strength we have got in many positions.
"I remember myself as a prop coming on and trying to get up to the pace of the game, trying to make an impact on the game and he does it better than I ever did.
"Who we start, it's no bad thing for a person like him to sit on the bench. What I mean by that is he could start, I'm quite comfortable with him starting. It is horses for courses."
England head coach Stuart Lancaster will finalising his starting line-up on Thursday.
Meanwhile, France fly-half Frederic Michalak is determined to rise to the challenge of ending England's bid for a Grand Slam.
"We are going to play against one of the best teams in the world," said Michalak.
"We're going to play with our heart and defend our colours. I hope it will go our way. It would be the icing on the cake.
"It's always special to play against England. We will try to dig and find something we have not found yet.
"France against England at Twickenham - it's the ideal place against the ideal rival.
"You can't dream of a better stage - 80,000 supporters with all the folklore that goes with it. I can't wait."
Comments
BradS says...
Certainly wouldn't bet my house on the winner of this one. All logic points to a comfortable English victory, but logic goes out the door when France is the opponent. France by 11
Posted 12:35 20th February 2013
Propmelsey says...
By the way .... have you seen that scrum machine the french use ... i presume all top clubs use them now but i remember seeing it on TV a while ago .. it has a sort of remote control .. it can twist the props n so on ... impressive ..... beats the rusty beast down at Essington RUFC anyway ...... :) x
Posted 11:59 20th February 2013
LondonWasp says...
please please please DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE FRENCH
Posted 10:51 20th February 2013
APV1 says...
LE CRUNCH!
LE BOOM!
Marler or Mako? Neither are particularly experienced, with just a handful of caps between them. If it were up to me (and let's be honest, it really should be), I'd stick with Marler and bring on Mako for impact. It's worked so far.
@ kybone - according to historians, they only ever eat cake in France. I think...
Posted 10:17 20th February 2013
Propmelsey says...
England have a solid pack ... a solid midfield ... and a solid back three ..... France have weakness throughout the team .... from hooker to fullback to coach ....... talk up the french by all means ..... still take England by 15+ .....
Posted 09:53 20th February 2013
DavidLowe46 says...
Joe Marler should start with Vunipola coming off the bench. the weak link in the England side is Ashton, poor if defence and drops scoring passes!
Posted 09:48 20th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
This is why haven't at one real war horse like Deacon or Palmer imroves the entire squad. I'm pro Launchbury and Parling on a firm pitch every time. but we never really got on top of the Irish or the Scottish. And got pushed about by Australia about 12 weeks ago. There is a definate question mark about the England scrum with Lancaster's selection policy and anyone who knows this sport will tell you, world champions nail their set peices. I love what we're doing on the pitch but I want a multi dimensional team, One dimensional teams get mullered sooner or later and the Ireland game was bloody close to call in the mud and the rain. France at they best will be up up to springbok stanadard and we've not got close to the boks for years. The set peice. It's like building a house on sand dunes without that foundation.
Posted 09:25 20th February 2013
melkdave says...
Never a truer word said.GR is totally correct,even playing badly overall last week,the french scrum totally wiped the floor with the welsh.
Posted 23:39 19th February 2013
JamieTheProp says...
Cole is a beast too - and I have't seen anything so far in the tournament from the French scrum to worry us!
Posted 20:20 19th February 2013
kybone says...
"We're going to play with our heart and defend our colours. I hope it will go our way. It would be the icing on the cake.- The icing on what cake!!?? You have to have a cake before you can put the icing on it Freddy.
Posted 18:48 19th February 2013
Jhamer25 says...
Dimngo is a beast. One of the top loosheads in world rugby. A great size for a prop as he can get right under his opponent. Look out Dan cole the beast is coming.
Posted 18:46 19th February 2013