Five takeaways from France v England
Following a 24-17 victory for France over England in their Six Nations clash, here’s our five takeaways from the game at the Stade de France.
Brutal physicality: Eddie Jones was dead right about brutal power and physicality, but sadly very little of it came from England. Contrastingly, most of it came from France. To be blunt, the Rose were beasted in every point of contact, with the Shaun Edwards inspired French second-row and back-row absolutely pulverising their opposite numbers and their half-backs and midfield following suit. It’s hard to think of one English player, with the notable exception of Ellis Genge, who came out on top physically of his direct opponent. England’s woeful performance was summed when Antoine Dupont marmalised a little jink from Willi Heinz right at the end. When a 90kg back is putting in hits like that it shows that France are a side to be reckoned with. England may have talked the physical talk, but France walked the brutal walk.
Blindsided: At the centre of everything France did was the magnificent La Rochelle number eight Gregory Alldritt, who put in a performance right out the top drawer. France pick an orthodox back-row, players familiar in their positions and their assigned role. On the other hand, England played without a regular eight and with a lock shoehorned onto the flank. Indeed Courtney Lawes and Tom Curry’s defence of the short side was slow it could have been timed with a calendar and this, coupled with Ben Youngs’ slowness to sweep in defence, created so much space for Alldritt and Dupont that both players had an absolute field day and put in defining performances for their side.
France tide turning: For the first time in ages, France looked seriously organised. The pre-planned kicking of both half-backs tantalised and tormented both Elliot Daly and debutant George Furbank in the early exchanges and this was coupled with some fantastic and committed chasing from the towering French back-row and three quarters. Their organisation of ruck management was outstanding, France allowing their opponents not an inch of gain, hitting them back hard but then only committing numbers to jackal when they had a clear chance of stealing. It’s clear that this is a side thinking hard about their rugby and with the likes of Fabien Galthie and Edwards at the helm, they’re only going to get better.
That final whistle feeling #FRAvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/Aqx8j6J5Bl
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 2, 2020
Use gas: In the second half, when England played quick rugby, they looked amazing. Why then, is Jones focusing on talk of brute power when the side he has is best suited to pace and speed? To pick players of mobility like Sam Underhill, Curry, Lawes, Daly and Furbank, and then ask them to play gainline rugby is as big a sporting folly as when England cricket asked Jason Roy to open the batting in a test match. Jones is dithering and falling between two stools in the vision he’s setting for his charges. England need either to pick power players and commit to that style, or commit to playing the pace that is more appropriate to the selections they’re making.
Learning from defeat: With the season one game old and a Grand Slam dream already shattered, England now have the opportunity to learn and change things. Genge did enough in 28 minutes to show his explosive potential, whilst George Kruis ironically showed all the mobility that Jones hoped Charlie Ewels would bring. In the back division, the focus needs to be on speed of foot and swiftness of pass; Willi Heinz’s ability to deliver quick ball from the base changed the way England played and perhaps it’s time to put Youngs out to pasture. Above all, the team need to learn to pick specialists for specialist positions.
Shoehorning positional compromise over tactical unsurety can only result in one thing; losses. Today may have done England a favour and taught them to remain true to their strengths and the players they have available.