Well I just can`t understand Traille at 15. He`s a centre, a whole centre and nothing but a centre. If the idea is to kick for the corners and attack the AB lineout, well good luck with your execution. It`s a game plan that can actually work, but you`d better be sure that the execution is perfect. You`ve got to find touch 100% of the time, and even then have your chasers getting upfield in quite a hurry to prevent the quick throw-ins, or else you`re basically screwed. These AB`s can run you ragged if given the chance to counter from deep.
But if there`s one thing that should be worrying the AB`s, it`s the fact that the AB side could just be a little undercooked. The decision to do the warmups at home, and getting through a relatively weak pool doesn`t do a lot for getting you match-sharp. And the 2 stronger teams in the pool, Italy and Scotland, both showed up with either the idea to not risk injury, or they pitched with their second stringers. While I can`t fault the logic, it did nothing for AB preparations. Plus fielding the AB second stringers in their last pool game has left the 1st-chioce side with 2 weeks of no serious rugby.
France, in contrast, have had some seriously tough games coming into the QF, and should be at the peak of their form. Plus, you never know which French team will show up on the day. If they bring their A game against an undercooked AB side, well there`s maybe a chance of an upset. But Don`t put your mortgage on that.
I`m picking the AB`s by 38-20.
