by Although fascinating, cataloging the mass of players is not easy. This is partly because exact numbers can be hard to come by, and partly because they are changing all the time anyway.
George Martin, for example, is listed at 118kg (18st 8lb) in most online databases. Sports telegraph however, he understands the 22-year-old has put on 122kg (19st 3lb). After Ben Earl’s try-scoring display against Wales, the full-back suggested he had shed a few kilos during his recent lay-off following knee surgery.
Although exact figures are elusive, England will face a formidable French side in Lyon on Saturday night. To follow up a great win over Ireland, they have to face some great opposition. Fabien Galthié chose to load his bench with a starting six in this Championship and finally he was able to release Emmanuel Meafou, the 145kg (22st 12lb) lock from Toulouse who combines truck power with nice skills.
Here’s how England can end their Six Nations with a win.
Split props and scrummage for 80 minutes
In a way, this game is a way for Steve Borthwick to face any distant demons from last year’s World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa. That day, England’s hard-fought tactical performance was undone by a number of scrum penalties in the second half after Joe Marler, Dan Cole and George Martin were sent off.
It is remarkable that England have had at least one of Marler or Cole on the pitch during these Six Nations. They have achieved this by sharing the old props. Marler and Will Stuart started against Italy and Wales, with Cole and Ellis Genge taking control of Scotland and Ireland.
The return of the meaty Martin made for a strong set piece effort last weekend, but France has a big problem. Emmanuel Meafou and Uini Atonio will be putting 292kg through the tight end. And then Georges-Henri Colombe (142kg or 22st 5lb) and Romain Taofifénua (135kg or 21st 4lb) will come off the bench as the second humongous prop-lock tighthead combination. Those two, along with Peato Mauvaka and Sébastien Taofifénua, arrived in the 52nd minute to push Wales, and helped France to 25 unanswered points from 24-20 behind.
England’s scrum will be faced for the full 80 minutes. It will be interesting to see if the visitors continue with the funky tactic of posting Ollie Chessum at No. 8 to disrupt the opposition. They might have to strengthen one of the props from the usual role of the cage. England scrum coach Tom Harrison certainly has a plan in place.
Stuart is England’s heaviest player, at 132kg (20st 11lb). Impressively, France has four heavier men in Atonio, Meafou, Colombe and Romain Taufifénua. Sébastien Taofifénua, the 130kg (20st 7lb) loosehead prop, is also a notable specimen. Size isn’t everything when it comes to scrummaging, but it’s hardly a hindrance.
Martin and Maro Itoje lasted the whole of Ireland’s game and England have kept two other back-rows – Ethan Roots and Alex Dombrandt – on a five-three bench. Two of Martin, Itoje and Chessum will have to go the distance. And Borthwick will want to ballast Martin as much as possible.
That said, the set piece will not be a resistance exercise. England showed variety in the line against Ireland, with Ben Earl and Sam Underhill used as surprise forwards, and have also scored first-class tries from their scrum this Championship. Look out for the workload of Jamie George, who is known as a strong scrummaging hurler.
Theo Dan was the only substitute not used in the World Cup semi-final five months ago. There might have been a temptation to bring in Luke Cowan-Dickie, but Dan keeps the No. 16. Although it is relatively light, its mobility is the main asset of that group. England may need that at some point.
Alex Mitchell stopped and watched him go
Among the old clichés associated with France was the notion that teams could run them off their feet, by wearing down the big players with fast lines, tap penalties and offloading. In all fairness, Ireland did very well Les Bleus in quick company last year in Dublin. But Galthié has plenty of talented athletes. François Cros is relentless and Thibaud Flament will be better off reaching 80 minutes at the Principality Stadium. Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey also thrive in broken pitch situations.
England can still aim to overtake France in the play-off stage and build on their performance with the ball against Ireland. A pair of Northampton Saints will be crucial. Alex Mitchell immediately improved England with his speed between the rucks and his zippy distribution. That helped push George Ford flat and put the runners over the save. Spying tired defenders on the edge should have an impact on the player’s running game. Rio Dyer’s try on Sunday came off the back of a Tomos Williams snip.
George Furbank is the second great catalyst in England. The kicking back was a big weapon last Sunday, resulting in two tries, and the goalkeeper had a fresh attitude in the transition period. In general, England looked much more alert and ambitious, willing to spread the ball around the turnovers too. This attitude was common at Murrayfield, but errors ended promising situations. The trend should continue, as a French side with rare combinations in the back line is likely to create opportunities. The combination between Thomas Ramos and Nicolas Depoortère for Tomos Williams’ try last time out was a great example of a lack of understanding.
Win the kicking exchanges
It could be argued that Antoine Dupont’s absence was more detrimental than many predicted and the investigator’s starting gun is a big loss, having fired France from their own 22 way past the halfway line so often. The opponents managed to fight the kicking exchanges and control the territory.
Ireland showed the way in round one, kicking the ball 33 times for 968 meters with James Lowe particularly prominent. In response, although Paul Willemse’s red card was a handicap and he was forced to come from behind, France kicked 20 times for 619 metres. That was an indication that they have moved away from what was supposed to be ‘eviction’ approach that won them the 2022 Grand Slam.
In the Ireland game, with France being teased around the field, their forwards looked very quick. The two teams that survived beating them, Scotland and Italy, have more kick return meters than France.
Felix Jones was part of the South African set-up that targeted Bielle-Biarrey with high balls in the World Cup quarter-final while Ben White’s try against Scotland came from a box kick. Contestable kicks won may be the best way for England to create chances. Leo Barré will definitely be working out in the air. Last weekend against Ireland, England only scored 23 times. Twice, they ran into trouble around midway and surrendered a turnover. The threats of Grégory Alldritt and Julien Marchand, among others, could cause them to start on the ball more regularly. As we have seen, England now have the ability to keep their opponents guessing.
Good time replacement
There are no specialist locks or three backs on Steve Borthwick’s bench, but he has selected a cohort of players capable of making one last effort. Ethan Roots and Manu Tuilagi offer to carry punch, while the Harlequins trio of Alex Dombrandt, Danny Care and Marcus Smith come as an intrepid pack. As discussed earlier, Theo Dan makes up for his lack of size with dynamism and commitment. Joe Marler and Will Stuart are their skimming men. Fabien Galthié has more scope to replenish his pack, which means Borthwick has to cannily assess his own substitutions. That could be the difference between an honest loss and a win that sends them into the summer tour with more hope.
