England v France,23/02/13

[TRF_Olyy]

Twickenham, England
17:00, 23/02/13​

​

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Same 23 retained by England as the last round.
I imagine the starting XV will be the same with the possible exception of a start for Tuilagi - though I don't know who for. I'd bring him in for Barritt, but I think Lancaster would rather reunite Barritt/Tuilagi.

 

[smb64]

Got tickets to this one - lower stand behind the posts though urgh

I can't see SL dropping Barritt either. If 36 retains his place its going to be interesting to see how he goes, we didn't really see him against Ireland due the conditions. I just hope he can confirm and build upon the performance he put out against Scotland.

Getting the feeling this is gonna be close, I can't see Eng wiping France and the feel Iv gotten from press coming out the French camp is that their going to come out all guns blazing.

Should be epic, as long as the weather doesn't let us down.

 

[Peat]

I'd go for Barritt/Tuilagi.

I'd also like Hartley to start.

 

[Joseph14]

Anyone fancy giving Vunipola a start?

 

[ZeFrenchy]

The matchday squad for France includes five changes from the 23 that lost to Wales. The squad is:
LH props: Thomas Domingo and Vincent Debaty;
Hookers: Dimitri Szarswewski and Benjamin Kayser;
TH props: Nicolas Mas and Luc Ducalcon;
Locks: Jocelino Suta, Yoann Maestri and Christophe Samson;
Backrowers: Therry Dusautoir, Yannick Nyanga, Louis Picamoles and Antonie Claassen;
Scrum-halves: Maxime Machenaud and Morgan Parra;
Fly-halves: Frédéric Michalak and François Trinh-Duc;
Centres: Wesley Fofana, Florian Fritz and Mathieu Bastareaud;
Outside backs: Vincent Clerc, Benjamin Fall and Yoann Huget.

Not a lot of mistery on the starting XV, though. The only question would be the centre pairing, and this could have an effect on the back three if Fofana is played on the wing. I would drop Szarsweski, but that would be kind of a big deal, so as there has been nothing in the press, it won't happen. Same thing for the halfback pairing.

Domingo - Szarsweski - Mas (Debaty - Kayser - Ducalcon)
Mestri - Suta (Samson)
Nyanga - Picamoles - Dusautoir (Claassen)
Machenaud - Michalak (Parra - Trinh-Duc)
Fall - Fofana - Fritz - Clerc (Bastareaud)
Huget

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I didn't realise Claassen was France qualified these days.
Makes sense, been there a while. Kind of surprised they've selected him, despite being a consistent performer.

 

[McTallshort]

Anyone fancy giving Vunipola a start?

Impact sub if ever there was one, but after the Sarries game on Saturday I would like to see him carry more for England.

I know the froggies have lost the last 2 games but that team still looks quite formidable, the back row are going to have knock Picamoles back hard everytime the man gets his hand on the ball and if its a Parra - Trinh Duc pairing they will have to close both players down very quickly and not give them anytime on the ball. The kick chase game will have to be be spot on from Youngs who does tend to kick it a bit to far for me sometimes and the line out does need to improve so I would possibly start Hartley.

 

[ratsapprentice]

It's France, however much of a cliche it is to say that the result depends on "which France turn up"... it's true.
You can't even say "oh they played badly in the first two games so they'll probably turn up for the third", there are no trends in their fluctuating form. Ever.

It will be different to the last 3 England games though, I'm sure, simply because France are an unknown at the moment. Unlike the AB's, Scotland and Ireland, who could be counted on to at least put up a fight.
That's what worries me a little.

 

[Wilko's left boot]

Unchanged team largely to be expected I guess.

Assuming it's not going to chuck it down, I'd like to see what 36 can do again on firm ground as opposed to the swamp a couple of weeks ago, so I'd keep him in. The other spot is tricky... I'd probably chuck in Barritt next to him with Tuilagi coming on as a nice little impact sub in the last 30-odd mins.

Also, glad to see that Lawes head injury didn't turn out to be anything other more than a small knock. The likes of him and Vunipola coming on as impact subs has been a nice sight in recent matches (Waldrom less so...).

 

[Patchey]

Vunnipola had a stormer for Sarries at the weekend so it wouldn't be too out there for him to start. Not sure about Hartley, Tom Youngs has been by far superior in the loose so the 2 shirt all comes down to whether the management back Youngs to regain the throwing form he had prior to the Ireland game.

In the backs 36 on the bench, Barritt and Tuilagi to start. Young will probably keep the 9 shirt but considering the game Care had at the weekend I'd love to see him get some actual time on the pitch.

 

[SelimNiai]

Anyone fancy giving Vunipola a start?

Yes

I spent a whole season watching him start for us at home and whilst you can bang on the difference between Championship and Premiership, Mako plays better from the start, hes a confidence player and showed that all through the times he was with us and when hes started for Sarries.

 

[Peat]

On the one hand, I'd like to see Vunipola have a start sometime - but not now. Marler had probably his best game yet and it would be a travesty to drop him. Mako's time will come.

 

[B10]

Chris Foy for the Daily Mail, who is usually well informed on team selection says Lawes is in for Haskell, Hartley for Youngs and Manu for 36.

Billy Vunipola would of been on the bench but has injured his ankle. Shame. Have to put up with fatty Waldrom once more.

2 back rowers on the bench but I guess Lancaster and coaches are pretty confident in Parling and Launchbury's fitness levels as I imagine some where along the line Lawes will injure himself!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ru...3-Manu-Tuilagi-recalled-England-v-France.html

 

[Peat]

Would hope they moved Launchbury back to 6 rather than play Lawes there, but not holding my breath.

edit: Either way, a rather cool call.

 

[EmperorFatty7]

France needed some of the older boys recalled if they wanted to really test England, with no Harinordoquy or Rougerie I think they may suffer as they did vs Wales & Italy.

 

[Big Ewis]

On paper, this team if fresh and focused is simply world class. Very glad Clerc's back, I can see him scoring a try in this one after a much anticipated return having to sit out the first two frustratingly...
I've got an English friend coming over, should be hilarious !! He's going to tease me the whole way if we get a spanking...the whoooooooole way...good God, please let us win this one ???

Honestly, having read a lot recently about the whole French schedule problem between FFR and the Top14 authorities, the money involved, the power the clubs have even over the international squad's decision, the fact that we really do play that many more games than anyone in a season (and we're talking rugby, not fkn baseball here...one match is one match, takes its toll on its own on the bodies...), the 40+ game thing...I'm starting to understand our inconsistency a bit more.
It's becoming less of a myth in my mind, and a lot more of a concrete reality with actual factors. NO, not an excuse, a reality. Then of course, for this given match, yes we have a complex with playing in Twickenham, of course. But the lack of playing time together, training all that...we've seen it in the first two, physically far from fresh, losing at the hands of Romans just eager to tear into flesh and bones...and then the gameplan, and lack thereof, as the second demonstration against Wales at home: we're not prepared, just don't have the confidence we should have with this quality squad on paper....buuuuuuuuut anyways.

I can only hope for a fair fight. I'm not sure what our players have been doing for the past 2 weeks of break, but I know even in there our training was limited for some reason (anyone know exactly what players of all 6N are doing during the 2 weeks ?), like obviously they're not playing in the top14 but what exactly do they do, how much do they stick together and train ??...

So yes, in light of all so many factors: which French side shows up ?
England should play a very good match. Looking forward to this one sooooo, so much !!

 

[mstar]

I don't see 36 replacing Barrit for this game. Barrit is too important to how Lancaster wants England to play (see my other posts). In fact people actually thinking Barrit may make the Lions squad!!! Manu -I can see being in the starting team. We need his go-forward.
Anyway, I would be happy to see Hartley back as I think he brings some abrasiveness to the scrum and loose. However, Tom is good in the loose he is VERY good at the breakdown and tackle. But, the wobbles he has had with lineouts really sealed his fate TBH.

I would love to see Lawes back, just feel Lancaster should play him more in the starting side. It was Lancaster who said that Lawes is the most ferocious/feared tackle in the premiership. He is our only proven lock with international recognition to be a Lion. I like JL but he got a little quiet vs Ireland, as his mobility/handling/intelligence as a lock is negated when the game is more about a dog fight and physicality. There is little between why JL has over Lawes to make him a regular. I just think the tackling ferocity of Lawes gives us that edge and Lawes has been a proven in the lineout and international level more. There is talk of Lawes being played as a number 6, I am not sure how good he is there (maybe others know?)

A shame calum clark is injured as I could see if Haskell is unwell he could be on the bench and play as the 6 –I love his competitive spirit.

Overall, I expect France to try and strangle England with their forwards, I really can't see a blinding off-loading game from them, but we don't know what France team show up!

 

[mstar]

Sorry forgot to say, i expect England to play a more off-loading game against the big slower Forwards (i think france will pick to strangle the England forward play)

 

[Wilko's left boot]

Would hope they moved Launchbury back to 6 rather than play Lawes there, but not holding my breath.

edit: Either way, a rather cool call.

Second that. Although both are obviously very athletic, I feel that Launchbury has just that bit more gas. (Also I remember Lawes being not quite fast enough to stop a run off a scrum by an Ulster scrum half (I think...), which sticks in the memory a bit).