Six Nations - France next up for leaders England NEWS
After two rounds of this year's Six Nations England are the only unbeaten team but that record could be threatened this week with the visit of the talented and unpredictable French team to Twickenham.
Whilst England are riding high, even if they show every indication of keeping their feet on the ground, taking every game as it comes, France have regressed significantly from the side that played so well in the Autumn internationals. However, as every team knows, France can click in an instant and should always be regarded as a dangerous opponent.
The French have been well below par in both their defeats so far, against Italy in Rome and, perhaps more surprisingly, at home to the Welsh. They don't particularly like playing at Twickenham where they have a poor record and, with England sitting at the top of the table with two wins out of two, they are certainly not favourites in this game.
England are deserved championship leaders. They followed up an impressive, expansive opening win over Scotland with a disciplined, controlled victory in Dublin, where they showed maturity in adapting their tactics to the conditions, using the boot of Owen Farrell to strangle the life out of the Irish.
They will fancy playing France at the moment and another win will see them regarded as firm favourites for the championship and, potentially, the Grand Slam.
Wales rebounded superbly from their disappointing defeat at home to Ireland to beat the French in Paris with a sterling performance from their pack and a great try from wing George North, who looks a good bet for a Lions starting spot. Although they lost their opening match Wales are hopeful that they can still contend for the overall championship, particularly with England having to travel to the Millennium Stadium in the final game.
However, Rob Howley's team would do well not to look beyond Italy, their opponents on Saturday, who, with their win over France, have shown are a match for anyone in Rome. Wales can expect another titanic forward battle that's for sure.
Ireland's defeat to England cost them dear, and not just in the sense of the championship. Simon Zebo and Jonny Sexton picked up injuries in that game that will see them miss the rest of the Six Nations. They've subsequently been joined in the physio's treatment room by Mike McCarthy, Gordon Darcy and Chris Henry whilst Cian Healy is suspended.
With these problems the last thing coach Declan Kidney needs is a resurgent Scotland, but that is the challenge that faces him and his depleted squad at Murrayfield. After showing flashes of a new attacking philosophy in a losing cause at Twickenham Scotland put it all together against Italy whom they brushed aside in the best Scotland performance for some time.
The big Scottish pack fronted up to the inevitable Italian forward challenge and secured enough ball for their emerging, but exciting back line to flourish. Stuart Hogg again demonstrated his pace and finishing ability and, in doing so, he got most of the headlines. However, both centres Sean Lamont and Matt Scott as well as wing Tim Visser also snatched tries and if the Scots pack can win its share of the ball they'll have chances to test the Irish defence.
So, two rounds gone and three to come. As always in Lions tour years there is endless speculation as to which players, through their Six Nations performances, are putting themselves on the tour plane, this year to Australia.
So far the standout options are Joe Marler, Cian Healey (indiscipline aside) and Euan Murray at prop and Rory Best at hooker. A number of locks are having fine a championship including England pair Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling as well as Scot Richie Gray. Lions coach Warren Gatland appears spoilt for choice in the back row with England captain Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood, Wales' Toby Faletau and Justin Tipuric all enjoying rave reviews. Also in the mix are Sam Warburton he is returning from injury and Ireland's Jamie Heaslip, neither of whom are in the best form but both of whom are tried and tested warriors.
In the backs England's half back pairing of Ben Youngs and Owen Farrell have been fantastic and, before his injury against England Ireland's Jonny Sexton was probably in pole position for the No.10 spot. The centre position is another absolutely chock-a-block full of talent from which Gatland will have a tough choice. The established veterans Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland and Jamie Roberts of Wales continue to ooze class but they'll be pushed by the likes of England's threesome Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt and new boy Billy Twelvetrees and Scotland's Sean Lamont.
On the wings Wales' George North seems a certain tourist as does England's arch-finisher Chris Ashton. However, if Simon Zebo recovers from his current injury he'll definitely be a possibility as will Sean Maitland who is playing well for Scotland. At full back Leigh Halfpenny was the consensus pick prior to the Six Nations but all of Ireland's Rob Kearney, England's Alex Goode and Scotland's Stuart Hogg have shown their ability. Hogg, with his searing pace, looks an increasingly good bet for the hard, fast tracks of Australia.
With those names in mind let's look ahead to this weekend's games: -
Saturday 24 February
Italy v Wales - 2.30pm ko at the Stadio Olimpico. Looking at these teams you could be forgiven for thinking they're heading in different directions. Wales recovered from their disappointing defeat to Ireland to stun the French in Paris whereas Italy regressed against Scotland after beating France at home. However, it could all change again this weekend, although the suspension of Italian captain Sergio Parisse for the rest of the tournament will be a huge loss for the Azzuri. Parisse was sent off for his club side Stade Francais and received a 30-day suspension, so unless he launches a successful appeal his Six Nations is over. Wales have retained the same starting XV from Paris although Sam Warburton is recalled to the bench, and Ryan Jones leads his country for a record 31st time. Whilst some have suggested that the game will be won up front it will be Wales' extra quality and inventiveness that will decide the match in their favour.
England v France - 5pm ko at Twickenham. France haven't won at Twickenham in the Six Nations since 2005 and for their previous win before that in the championship (then Five Nations) you have to go back to 1997, so its fair to say they have a poor recent record at the home of English rugby. Their record so far this season is no wins and two defeats so their recent form does not seem to indicate a likelihood of a French victory either. However, this is France we're talking about, a team that can turn the form lines on their head, a team that is capable of beating anyone on its day, so England will not be at all complacent. In contrast to the current French team England seem to have a purpose, a game plan, confidence and players in form. They've also been quite fortunate with the fitness of their players so far. Stuart Lancaster has made three changes to his starting line-up, recalling Manu Tuilagi, Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley, Billy Twelvetrees, James Haskell and Tom Youngs dropping to the bench. French coach Phillipe St Andre has dropped seven players from his starting XV bringing in, amongst others, half-backs Francois Trin-Duc, Morgan Parra and wing Vincent Clerc. Whilst these changes seemed designed to bring more structure and physicality to the French game it won't be enough to unsettle an England team who are developing nicely.
Sunday 25 February
Scotland v Ireland - 2pm ko at Murrayfield. This could be an intriguing match-up, with both teams still in the hunt for the championship having won and lost a game apiece so far. Ireland started like a hurricane against Wales as did Scotland against Italy so it will be interesting to see who gets the better of the opening exchanges, and establishes their superiority early on. Ireland will certainly miss the all-round quality of Jonny Sexton at fly-half and, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, coach Declan has decided to go with the promise of uncapped Paddy Jackson rather than the tried and tested, although out-of-form, Ronan O'Gara. With six regular starters missing Ireland will have their work cut out, but a win in Edinburgh would put them right back in the hunt for the championship. In contrast Scottish coach Scott Johnson has had to make only one change from the Italy game with prop Geoff Cross being drafted in to replace Euan Murray, who refuses to play on Sundays for religious reasons. The Scots are in confident mood and with all the Irish injury woes they probably smell blood. I fancy them to add to Ireland's troubles on Sunday.
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