[2025 Six Nations] England vs France - 08/02/25

[Vieux Talonneur]

Love the description in the Grauniad.

"But England's issues extend well beyond that. When Plan A stops working, as happened at the weekend, the entire chariot grinds to a halt. Once they went behind on Saturday night, it felt like the rugby equivalent of Daleks encountering a flight of stairs".

 

[Half Pint]

France will be without N'tamack (presumably) Fickou, Danty, Ollivon and Flament. Penaud has returned to the squad, but who knows whether he's fit.

What's to worry about?

If we were just playing against the other ten of the starting XV, we'd be in with a chance. But I'll wager those sneaky frenchies are going to *replace* the injured (all with better players that their England opposite number)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Romain's red is an opportunity for both Jalibert and England. Jalibert does not control the game like Romain does though. I can see les Bleus coming unstuck if they get physically rattled and if Jalibert has an off-day.

Jalibert must be rightly ****** at Galthié. He didn't deserve to be dropped for the AI. Galthié won't risk a repeat of Ramos at 10 because it's England at Twickenham. So he's going all in on Jalibert after dropping him. Not very smart. He should have backed Mathieu from the start in November. Mathieu should have made the bench v Wales at the very least. Too many mixed messages to a mercurial player who can blow and cold.

If England keep Smith on for 80, they have a chance.

Ramos at 15. Penaud should be back.

Am I right in saying there's no real scope to move Ramos to 10 with Buros and Barre injured?

LBB to 15 at international level and losing his attacking and kick chasing from the edge seems like a massive loss to me, especially considering England are going to kick contestables until the cows come home.

Not ideal and N'tamack has hurt his team with a bit of stupidity but trusting Jalibert to be professional and understand that he's not a fit in a 6/2 with 10 options on the pitch seems like the play.

 

[OllyM97]

It feels weird saying it but I am quietly optimistic about this game. I think France are more susceptible to being put off their game than Ireland are and at home, I'd like to think we get more of a fair go from the ref this week. Despite the score, I didn't think France were overly impressive against Wales - at times they looked shapeless in attack. I think with that side, a lot of their tries come from off the cuff pieces of play rather than great attacking patterns. I'm sticking to my gut instinct that France are going to implode at some point in this tournament. The results are flattering them at the moment.

England by 6 points.

 

[AlRums]

We'll just be missing Furbank, IFW, and Competence

What position does competence play? Inside centre?

 

[Saintjay]

Love the description in the Grauniad.

"But England's issues extend well beyond that. When Plan A stops working, as happened at the weekend, the entire chariot grinds to a halt. Once they were behind on Saturday night, it felt like the rugby equivalent of Daleks encountering a flight of stairs".

Daleks can fly now I'm reliably informed. As I am that Englands plan B in attack it probably involves three variations of a grubber kick.

 

[Toulousain ex French fan]

Am I right in saying there's no real scope to move Ramos to 10 with Buros and Barre injured?

LBB to 15 at international level and losing his attacking and kick chasing from the edge seems like a massive loss to me, especially considering England are going to kick contestables until the cows come home.

Not ideal and N'tamack has hurt his team with a bit of stupidity but trusting Jalibert to be professional and understand that he's not a fit in a 6/2 with 10 options on the pitch seems like the play.

it's pointless, we don't need Ramos at 10 with two 10s like Romain and Mathieu. We do it at Toulouse because we've only got one genuine 10 in Romain. Galthié didn't need to move Ramos to 10 with Mathieu fit and chomping at the bit in November, daft...but it's Galthié all over. Poor man management of Mathieu who is not easy to manage, granted, but Galthié got it wrong in November. He has hurt the team and Jalibert more than Romain has... Galthié goes all in now with a player he left in the cold who needed a run and respect. he could be the difference in win or loss. Eng are prob going to attack his channel, I would...if he's confident, he'll handle it, if not...I don't know what state of mind Mathieu is in after November.

yeah keep LBB on wing he's absolutely lethal.

 

[AlRums]

Don't forget Ramos scored in the first minute last time at Twickenham.

 

[West Country Wail]

Romain's red is an opportunity for both Jalibert and England. Jalibert does not control the game like Romain does though. I can see les Bleus coming unstuck if they get physically rattled and if Jalibert has an off-day.

Jalibert must be rightly ****** at Galthié. He didn't deserve to be dropped for the AI. Galthié won't risk a repeat of Ramos at 10 because it's England at Twickenham. So he's going all in on Jalibert after dropping him. Not very smart. He should have backed Mathieu from the start in November. Mathieu should have made the bench v Wales at the very least. Too many mixed messages to a mercurial player who can blow and cold.

If England keep Smith on for 80, they have a chance.

Ramos at 15. Penaud should be back.

Finn smith for 80 mins I'm with you on that

 

[West Country Wail]

Don't forget Ramos scored in the first minute last time at Twickenham.

I hope he's the 10 so there's at least one turnstile in the French defensive line to aim for

 

[West Country Wail]

Need to get into Ramos' head too, he's a live wire and just needs a poke or two and he'll crack and gouge again