For England the intention is straightforward, again up the memorable win in opposition to Eire with one other victory and efficiency to show that it wasn’t simply an sudden flash within the pan and that beneath Steve Borthwick they’ve a template and plan that may commonly beat the world’s greatest.
A technique to try this is make certain any complacency is kicked firmly into contact and that’s one thing not misplaced on the captain, Jamie George.
“We bought some issues actually proper emotionally final week within the build-up and doubtless a variety of that got here from sticking two fingers as much as some individuals who had been saying some unhealthy issues about us after the Scotland recreation,” George mentioned.
“Steve [Borthwick] may be very aware of [the complacency]. I realized an enormous lesson in 2019 after the New Zealand efficiency round issues like emotional highs and lows. Saturday [against Ireland] was most likely as emotional a efficiency as we’ve had since 2019. What I’ve realized is that if you happen to attempt to persuade your self that you just’re tremendous, you’re going to really feel tremendous, bodily you’re going to be tremendous – then realistically you’re not.”
England come up in opposition to a France 23 unchanged for the primary time since 2019, after Fabien Galthié resisted the temptation to tinker with the squad that beat Wales final week that means England know what they’re up in opposition to: energy.
In Cardiff the France coach picked the massive (as in actually large) males and it’s the similar as we speak for the all the time much-anticipated battle in opposition to the English. Emmanuel Meafou, the 145kg Toulouse second row, is about to win his second cap, scrummaging behind the equally cumbersome Uini Atonio. They’re seemingly to get replaced by Georges-Henri Colombe and Romain Taofifénua, who are available in at a equally heavy 140kg, will change them at tighthead prop and lock respectively.
Exterior them they’ve panache to go with the facility. Nolann Le Garrec, Nicolas Depoortère, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Léo Barré all retain their spots within the XV however after lacking the victory over Wales with a chest an infection, Posolo Tuilagi misses out on an opportunity to tackle his uncle, Manu.
Galthe is barely too conscious that their energy might be met by a equally beefy England.
“We’re going to encounter an explosive English group. Highly effective and stable… with this switching between taking part in the ball in hand and kicking, this strain that they placed on the opposition,” the France coach mentioned. “We must be extra exact [than we were against Wales] in sure areas, notably defence. We’ll should be compact and stable within the bodily exchanges. England hit exhausting in the midst of the pitch and we’ll should be switched on to that, actually greater than we had been in opposition to Wales.”
