[2020 Autumn Nations Cup] England vs France (06/12/20)

[Jashay]

Yeah, 2,000 fans if I remember right

 

[Goodey]

Yes according to the Beeb.

Sunday's match will take place in front of 2,000 fans at Twickenham, England having played their first three Autumn Nations Cup games in empty stadiums

"It is exciting for society that we're getting back to something that is a bit more like we would like life to be," Jones said.

"To have 2,000 fans in, the players will appreciate it. They will hear the noise and some of their families will be there so it brings it a bit more back to normal."

I remember reading that around half the tickets were sold, another ~500 to organised giveaways to NHS staff and the rest to players' invitees. But don't hold me to that, can't remember where I read it.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Lucky for those 2000 fans. A bit like having a near empty theatre show/cinema showing the main event all to themselves. But without the major headache of having to get out of the stadium with 78,000 other people at the end.

 

[Jashay]

Mako out with Calf strain, so presumably Genge + Marler now?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Mako out with Calf strain, so presumably Genge + Marler now?

Yep.

Unfortunate for Mako, but will be good to get a proper look at Genge.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, it's a shame for Mako but Genge is more than deserving of a start

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I've just got the kids out the house and sat down with a beer to watch the game but it's on tomorrow ffs.

I'm an idiot.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I've just got the kids out the house and sat down with a beer to watch the game but it's on tomorrow ffs.

I'm an idiot.

Ireland v Scotland should be more competitive at least!

 

[Ferrari333SP]

Really excited to see what Genge can do

 

[Goodey]

Really excited to see what Genge can do

He has previous against the French.

 

[Mikey12]

Genge in that video reminds me of Tyson in his hey day, stocky aggressive and deceptively quick. He also has some of Tysons other traits, hot head and prone to stepping over the Mark.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Am I the only one who's really worried about this game? Sure, it's a 2nd-string team we're facing, but it's a France 2nd-string, not an Italian one. The Top14 isn't exactly devoid of talent in depth. I'm so used to England stuffing up the big games, and there have been absolutely no upsets in the entire ANC with the favourite winning every single match, and England haven't lost to France at Twickers since 2007... oh hell, we're gonna lose, aren't we?

 

[Mikey12]

If you lose this one you I'd be gobsmacked. France have been good in a completely different way but their second 15 struggled to dominate Italy. You have this with some room to spare. France will penalise at the ruck sealing off, trying to stop the dominant English pack, they will go backward at the scrum and you will keep them pinned in their own half for large parts of the game. they will look dangerous ball in hand but there isn't any point running from your own 22 these days. England by 20-25 points, they won't look like they got out of second gear again. It will be tight upto 60 mins but your bench will make an impact and finish France at a canter.

Thats what you want to hear, trouble is who knows what France are capable of they have deft pop pass capability across the field just like Fiji but now have Edwards behind the scenes drilling the defence. They always have a brilliant game inside them but are Jekyll and Hyde you never really know which one is in front of you today.

Your only saving grace is you have Nige reffing so there won't be stupid calls and the tmo will help him but his word will be final. Just don't back chat him he has put downs your momma would approve of.

 

[Reiser99]

If you lose this one you I'd be gobsmacked. France have been good in a completely different way but their second 15 struggled to dominate Italy. You have this with some room to spare. France will penalise at the ruck sealing off, trying to stop the dominant English pack, they will go backward at the scrum and you will keep them pinned in their own half for large parts of the game. they will look dangerous ball in hand but there isn't any point running from your own 22 these days. England by 20-25 points, they won't look like they got out of second gear again. It will be tight upto 60 mins but your bench will make an impact and finish France at a canter.

Thats what you want to hear, trouble is who knows what France are capable of they have deft pop pass capability across the field just like Fiji but now have Edwards behind the scenes drilling the defence. They always have a brilliant game inside them but are Jekyll and Hyde you never really know which one is in front of you today.

Your only saving grace is you have Nige reffing so there won't be stupid calls and the tmo will help him but his word will be final. Just don't back chat him he has put downs your momma would approve of.

Is it Nige,? From what I've read the ref is Andrew Brace.

"Andrew Brace will take charge of this match with fellow Irishman Frank Murphy and Craig Evans (Wales) as assistant referees. Another Welshman, Ben Whitehouse, is the Television Match Official."

For me Brace is bang average, so expect so wrong calls on both sides.

 

[BPM]

Am I the only one who's really worried about this game? Sure, it's a 2nd-string team we're facing, but it's a France 2nd-string, not an Italian one. The Top14 isn't exactly devoid of talent in depth. I'm so used to England stuffing up the big games, and there have been absolutely no upsets in the entire ANC with the favourite winning every single match, and England haven't lost to France at Twickers since 2007... oh hell, we're gonna lose, aren't we?

I'm not 'really worried', but I am definitely cautious.

There's not much experience in the French side but plenty of skill and lots of pace. Add in the fact that they have nothing to lose and I think there's potential for an upset.

Our defence has had plenty of praise, but I don't think it's been given any serious examination. Ireland were predictable and just ran in to us and Wales showed pretty much 0 in attack. If the French backs click, I think they could cause our defence some problems.

I think England will still take it, but I don't think it will be comfortable. I'm expecting France to really show up.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

To be honest, the Shaun Edwards defence doesn't bother me. Despite the hype, France allowed the second-most points and second-most tries in the 6 Nations. Only Italy gave up more. France gave up exactly one less point than they did in the 2019 tournament. Long may Edwards continue to be France's defence coach.

It's that ability to score from nothing that bothers me. A couple of wonder tries are not beyond this France team, and then how will England react?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Without N'Tamack France have looked totally rudderless, England should be able to contain them. I reckon they'll win this by about 15-20

 

[ALJ]

You would have to be a serious nitpicker to find major fault, it's a Tuilagi away from the world cup team.

I suppose you can consider it a missed chance to experiment but I don't really believe in that, it's a tournament final out there! Looking forward to it.

It's an excellent team but, while I take your point about not believing in experiments, the potential problem lies in the experience in certain positions behind this first choice side.

How many minutes of international experience do we have at 9 beyond Youngs (assuming Care isn't coming back)?
Same question for hooker outside George and LCD?
Same question at 8 (sure Curry can play there but I can't see how he can be second choice given how different he is from BV)?
Not exactly blessed at 12 either.

So I'm with you that loads of experimentation isn't a good idea but when you have the chance to give the 'stand ins' a chance - at the very least give them a decent amount of time off the bench to see how they shape up. That way when the inevitable injuries occur you're in a better position.

 

[Ospervat]

In 50 years of playing and following rugby I've learnt "under-estimate a French underdog at your own peril"

This inexperienced French side have nothing to lose and that makes them unpredictable.

If the French penchant for a running game and slicing trickery emerges...

Lets hope it's a good game in a weekend of rugby that hasn't really delivered thus far.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I just hope England don't do what they have a tendency to do in defence and expect the opposition to play how we want and go through tons of rucks. Too often in defence we simply ignore the possibility of offloads and expect all teams to approach the game in a highly methodical way like Wales, Ireland and us do. English defenders need to be prepared for the ball to be popped up to a supporting player against France and not become overly focused on the ruck. If they have a player running a line expecting an offload then he will almost certainly not be in a position to join the ruck quickly, so we can afford to keep an eye on him and maybe sacrifice a bit of ruck speed.