France v England, 22nd August

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FRANCE v ENGLAND
22 August 2015
KO: 20:00 BST (21:00 Local)
Stade de France, Paris

Sky Sports

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: John Lacey (Ireland) & Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

A. Head to Head

100 Played 100
38 Won 55
7 Drawn 7
55 Lost 38
1,244 Points 1,572

B. Recent Form

15 August 2015
Twickenham, London
19-14 to England

21 March 2015
Twickenham, London
55 – 35 to England

1 February 2014
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
26 – 24 to France

23 February 2013
Twickenham, London
23 – 13 to England

11 March 2012
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
22 – 24 to England


C. Teams

ENGLAND

15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 37 caps)
14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 14 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 47 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 31 caps)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 22 caps)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 38 caps)
6. James Haskell (Wasps, 59 caps)
7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins, 37 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 13 caps)

Replacements

16. Jamie George (Saracens, uncapped)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens,21 caps)
18. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)
19. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
20. Nick Easter (Harlequins, 51 caps)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 51 caps)
22. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 21 caps)

FRANCE


Spedding; Huget, Bastareaud, Fofana, Nakaitaci; Michalak, Tillous-Borde; Arous, Guirado, Slimani, Pape, Maestri, Chouly, Le Roux, Picamoles.

Replacements: Kayser, Debaty, Atonio, Flanquart, Nyanga, Kockott, Tales, Fickou.

Sorry to bring up a big Sam related question. I've only seen it mentioned once but, anybody think that maybe there is a bigger question over Barrett's fitness than they're letting on, which is why Sam has been fast tracked, in case brad doesn't make it?

Sam isn't being "fast tracked" he is there because he is a dam good player. And another thing. All this stuff about using him as a decoy is a waste. His strength is being physical and busting holes particularly near the try line. Not giving him the ball in those areas is a crime. Something Bath was guilty of time and time again.

I agree he is good player but you can't pretend that league convert to union international in a year isn't 'fast tracked'. You can't debt that it's odd that, just as his club comes to the conclusion they want to play him as a 6, SL appoints him centre.

I'm just wondering if Barrett's injury might have spurred this.

Happytravelling wrote:I agree he is good player but you can't pretend that league convert to union international in a year isn't 'fast tracked'. You can't debt that it's odd that, just as his club comes to the conclusion they want to play him as a 6, SL appoints him centre.

I'm just wondering if Barrett's injury might have spurred this.

I think it's more to do with the absence of Tuilagi together with the inconsistency of other large centre options - 12Ts & Burrell.
Burgess would provide a more than adequate balance in the midfield.

We could play Haskell in the centres.

Robshaw gets through marginally less work than the Vunipolas or Morgan - but they are playing much less of each game than him. But he does 20% more than Wood and 35% more than Launchbury - who are regarded as very hard working players.

Wow that is interesting....which is why Robshaw should be managed properly.

I'm currently on holiday in France at the moment and wondered if this match will be on French terrestrial TV? Whocares - are you out there and can you advise?

In terms of the match I am pleased that Lancaster has named a strong team as England will need to be at their very best I reckon. I think this will a tight one with no more than 5 points in it either way.

stub wrote:I'm currently on holiday in France at the moment  and wondered if this match will be on French terrestrial TV?  Whocares - are you out there and can you advise?

In terms of the match I am pleased that Lancaster has named a strong team as England will need to be at their very best I reckon. I think this will a tight one with no more than 5 points in it either way.

yep it will be on France 2 (2nd channel free to air terrestrial) at 20h50 local time.

Thanks Whocares - as long as we can get from Carnac to Cahors in time I'll be watching nervously.

that's a long trip mate, enjoy cahors, great region, was on holidays nearby (50km west) last week.

Cheers Whocares - very much looking forward to exploring the Cahors area so glad it comes recommended.

Surprised Morgan isn't been given more time to get match fit off the bench.

Need to get him firing at all cylinders in case Billy gets injured.

Whocares are you pleased with PSA's replacement, Guy Noves after the RWC or would you have preferred another coach?

I think Bernard Laporte would have been a better replacement for a 2nd coaching stint with France. Would have been ironic but still....

if Noves gets time and get his way with the clubs and ffr then he might help. would have preferred a foreign coach just to bring some new way of working and new ideas but that's not going to happen anytime soon.
Laporte, in my opinion, killed french rugby as he was obessed with defense and discipline to a point any initiative was forbidden.

Whocares perhaps but Laporte won 4 6 nations titles as coach.

3 HC/ERCC titles in a row for Toulon.

Doesn't have a bad record.

Defence and discipline are very important obviously.

At least he gave France some structure.

Noves hasn't won anything recently has he?

I would say Laporte is head and shoulders above Lievremont and PSA.

Don't disagree though - a foreign coach with a fresh approach would have been good for France but the problem would have been who?

Did Morgan pick up an injury as I'm sure Lancaster said pre match he was going to have more than 40 min?

beshocked wrote:Whocares perhaps but Laporte won 4 6 nations titles as coach.

3 HC/ERCC titles in a row for Toulon.

Doesn't have a bad record.

Defence and discipline are very important obviously.

At least he gave France some structure.

Noves hasn't won anything recently has he?

I would say Laporte is head and shoulders above Lievremont and PSA.

Don't disagree though - a foreign coach with a fresh approach would have been good for France but the problem would have been who?

Beshocked - you're always going to be up against it trying to find fault with Noves' coaching record. 10 Top 14 titles and 4 European cups is better than any other NH club coach by some distance.

yes Laporte has a great track record, no doubt about it. he just irritates me most of the time and his game plans are devoided of any new ideas. same could be said of Noves who seems stuck in the 90s but at least he knows the players better than anyone and should be able to get the best out of them.

from the top of my head, this would have been my wish list : Cheika, Gatland, Joe Schmidt, anyone who has won things in both hemispheres really.

I always thought France should have gone with Vern Corter, too late now though

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

Happytravelling wrote:I agree he is good player but you can't pretend that league convert to union international in a year isn't 'fast tracked'. You can't debt that it's odd that, just as his club comes to the conclusion they want to play him as a 6, SL appoints him centre.

I'm just wondering if Barrett's injury might have spurred this.

I think it's more to do with the absence of Tuilagi together with the inconsistency of other large centre options - 12Ts & Burrell.
Burgess would provide a more than adequate balance in the midfield.

With options like Slade and Joseph is Tuilagi that big a miss?

maestegmafia wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

Happytravelling wrote:I agree he is good player but you can't pretend that league convert to union international in a year isn't 'fast tracked'. You can't debt that it's odd that, just as his club comes to the conclusion they want to play him as a 6, SL appoints him centre.

I'm just wondering if Barrett's injury might have spurred this.

I think it's more to do with the absence of Tuilagi together with the inconsistency of other large centre options - 12Ts & Burrell.
Burgess would provide a more than adequate balance in the midfield.

With options like Slade and Joseph is Tuilagi that big a miss?

Yes and no. We are doing well without him but he is a hell of a talent and at his best (which hasn't been seen for some time) he is very destructive. The problem now is shoehorning him back in the back line if/when he is ever fit again. It was a lot easier when he was pretty much the only option.

I see Tuilagi as a good bench option if/when he gets fit again. That would worry a few sides for the last half an hour.

LT I think you have the match stats wrong in the OP, are the losses wrong?

yappysnap wrote:LT I think you have the match stats wrong in the OP, are the losses wrong?

Indeed they are/were. Bad editing by me, and corrected

Hello gents (and ladies) would anyone be able to PM me a working link for the game? Thank you all, should be a cracker. England by 7 is my bet.

Hi would anyone have a link to this please?

this french team could will play a lot better with those half backs

huge french backrow too

A lot resting on how the England pack front up and how the French no 10 goes.

i'm cant work out if i would be bothered if england lost if they still put a good performance in

he doesnt look like a tighthead!

singing: france 1 - england 0

Big test for England

not the greatest start by england here

England win a scrum penalty

ford having a mare so far

the french are winning the breakdown

Ford - the worst player on the field. 3 crapola kicks and a missed take from the high ball. Maybe he wants to give Cips a chance.

England are giving away a lot of penalties at the breakdown.

maestegmafia wrote:England are giving away a lot of penalties at the breakdown.

2 isn;t alot just yet

French pack look a lot better than in the six nations

nathan wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:England are giving away a lot of penalties at the breakdown.

2 isn;t alot just yet

They could have been penalised at every breakdown, played on the wrong side, going in from all sides but the correct one, hands on the ball.

Just got penalised again.

maestegmafia wrote:French pack look a lot better than in the six nations

It's getting close to the world cup, normally the only time when France are good.

maestegmafia wrote:

nathan wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:England are giving away a lot of penalties at the breakdown.

2 isn;t alot just yet

They could have been penalised at every breakdown, played on the wrong side, going in from all sides but the correct one, hands on the ball.

Just got penalised again.

They "could have", but they didn't so they did nothing wrong.

Nice defence by brown there...

giving away silly penalties now

nathan wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

nathan wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:England are giving away a lot of penalties at the breakdown.

2 isn;t alot just yet

They could have been penalised at every breakdown, played on the wrong side, going in from all sides but the correct one, hands on the ball.

Just got penalised again.

They "could have", but they didn't so they did nothing wrong.

And more penalties...!


4 in 15 minutes all at the breakdown.

we're putting to much emphasis on our line speed

maestegmafia wrote:

nathan wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

nathan wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:England are giving away a lot of penalties at the breakdown.

2 isn;t alot just yet

They could have been penalised at every breakdown, played on the wrong side, going in from all sides but the correct one, hands on the ball.

Just got penalised again.

They "could have", but they didn't so they did nothing wrong.

And more penalties...!


4 in 15 minutes all at the breakdown.

last one was offside wasnt it?

If this is the England A team God help us. Bring back the B side.

Barney McGrew did it wrote:If this is the England A team God help us. Bring back the B side.

we always seem to play better with a "weakened team"