Experienced England too much for understrength France

Colin Newboult
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Before the Autumn Nations Cup, it was the game everyone wanted to see. The Six Nations victors against the most improved side in the northern hemisphere, but it may ultimately prove to be a damp squib.

Under the terms of the deal signed between the respective governing bodies, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the Top 14 (LNR), France are without their best players for this encounter.

They may have fared well against Italy, as Fabien Galthie’s inexperienced charges emerged 36-5 triumphant in Paris, but this an entirely different proposition.

Last weekend’s game was also tighter than the end result suggested and England, unlike the Azzurri, won’t let the mistakes which pervaded the Frenchmen’s play go unpunished.

There was, however, plenty for Galthie to be pleased about as their young team competed very well throughout, took their chances and displayed a few magical touches.

Talent not in doubt

The talent of the 23 that will take to the field on Sunday is not in doubt but the lack of continuity, which unsurprisingly comes from putting together a scratch squad, is a major problem. A number of the individuals that take to the field at Twickenham could well become key components of the squad over the next few years, but they should be no match for the English in London.

Eddie Jones’ men may have had their critics over the past three matches but they have gradually improved over the weeks, particularly in attack. Once again, the amount of kicking came into question in their victory over Wales and it has almost become an unneeded safety net for their playmaking backs, but they certainly showed more guile in Llanelli.

It did not quite result in the tries the Red Rose were seeking, but it was a step forward against a Welsh team that produced their best performance for some time.

Perhaps England’s main enemy this weekend will be complacency. Although all the factors are in their favour, these are big, strong French players who are eager to prove their point looking towards the 2023 World Cup.

We expect a closer scoreline than the blowout some have predicted, with these talented France youngsters causing Jones’ charges a few problems initially, but the hosts should then assume control of the encounter.

England have won seven in a row since their defeat to Les Bleus in February and another victory, to go with their success in the Six Nations, would cap off a solid year for the Red Rose, especially following their disappointment in the World Cup final.

Players to watch:

For England: It will be a big day for Billy Vunipola when he runs out at Twickenham for his 50th Test start. The number eight has been a vital part of the squad since making his debut in 2013 but recently the Saracens man has had his doubters. With the English back-row currently having serious depth, with the likes of Exeter star Sam Simmonds not even in the squad, Vunipola has been a target for critics. However, it is not entirely fair. Although the 28-year-old has not been as destructive as previous years, he still regularly gets over the gain line, commits two or three defenders each time and has a skill set which few in England can match. Eddie Jones will certainly be looking for a bit more from Vunipola but he remains a vital cog in what England do and France will no doubt have to prepare for the threat he brings.

For France: There are so many rookies to pick out but one the French are particularly excited about is lock Kilian Geraci, who has shone for Lyon in the Top 14. While first team players Bernard le Roux and Paul Willemse have impressed in the second-row over the past year, Geraci is very much the future in that position for Les Bleus. He starred on debut against Italy, stealing the lineout which led to Gabin Villiere’s try, and the 21-year-old will provide problems for England’s imposing duo Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury. Ultimately, experience will count in the end, but this is only the start of a long international career for the youngster.

Head-to-head: Death, taxes and France producing exceptional scrum-halves are the three certainties in life and the latest to play in that position is Baptiste Couilloud. The Lyon livewire first came to prominence in 2017/18 and made his debut in the Six Nations that season, but the presence of the brilliant Antoine Dupont and Baptiste Serin, as well as a couple of injuries, has limited opportunities. However, he has been handed his first start and the captain’s armband for the game at Twickenham, where he will come up against the vastly experienced Ben Youngs. The Red Rose playmaker has over 30 caps more than the entire French XV, which means Couilloud’s task of guiding his side around the field will be a tough one. The 23-year-old is an exciting talent who has all the skills, from a solid kicking game to an ability to challenge the fringes, but there will be a lot of pressure on the Lyon man. England’s defence has proven to be incredibly stubborn, while Youngs is excellent at putting the opposition into difficult positions with his kicking game, so it will be a big test of Couilloud’s capabilities.

Previous results:

2020: France won 24-17 in Paris
2019: England won 44-8 in London
2018: France won 22-16 in Paris
2017: England won 19-16 in London
2016: England won 31-21 in Paris
2015: France won 25-20 in Paris
2015: England won 19-14 in London
2015: England won 55-35 in London
2014: France won 26-24 in Paris
2013: England won 23-13 in London

Prediction: Considering it was a new group, France did well last week, but there are a few issues which the hosts will take advantage of to claim a relatively comfortable victory. England by 15.

The teams:

England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Joe Launchbury, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Jonny Hill, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Max Malins, 23 Joe Marchant

France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Alivereti Raka, 13 Yoram Moefana, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Baptiste Couilloud (c), 8 Selevasio Tolofua, 7 Anthony Jelonch, 6 Cameron Woki, 5 Baptiste Pesenti, 4 Kilian Geraci, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Hassane Kolingar
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Guillaume Ducat, 20 Sekou Macalou, 21 Sébastien Bézy, 22 Louis Carbonel, 23 Pierre-Louis Barassi

Date: Sunday, December 6
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland), Craig Evans (Wales)
Television match official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

 

England