RugbyRebels

France: Jacquet; Boujard, Filopon, Vernier, M Menager; Drouin, Sansus; Deshayes, Sochat, Joyeux, Fall, Forlani, Ferer, Hermet (capt), R Menager.
Replacements: Touye, Lindelhauf, Brosseau, Annery, Gros, Chambon, Tremouliere, Boulard.

England: Rowland; Thompson, Scarratt (capt), Aitchison, Breach; Harrison, Infante; Cornborough, Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, Packer, Cleall.
Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Muir, Galligan, Beckett, Kabeya, Hunt, Kildunne.

Looking forward to this one. I always find the other England games in the Women's 6N to be hard to watch, because we know the winner before the game starts; it's just a question of how convincing the win is. This one is the big test though and I'm really excited to watch us go toe-to-toe.

Puja

Yep, me too. My weekend is organised around this match.

This should be a proper match.
England far too good for the other teams but France will pose quite a challenge.

The game's at Bayonne's Stade Jean Dauger, where the French crowd'll be very vocal.
Has the makings of a belter and not to be missed!

Very much looking forward to this. Come on England!

Nervy start.

Strike that…. bad start.

Yes, that penalty was a shocker. Not used to being tested like this.

I hope that menager gets a hattrick so we can have menager trois.

Generous interpretation on whether that ruck became stationary.

Agreed, France can feel aggrieved.

Much better play in the lead up though.

Kick receipt in the backfield is unbelievably bad.

Fortunately the French line out and discipline bare also poor.

Mr Mwenda wrote:Fortunately the French line out and discipline bare also poor.

Agreed. Lots of appealing to/at Davidson….. it’s not a surprise she might be favouring Eng.

Is the TMO asleep?

Big defence there. I was sure a couple of those mauls were going to lead to a try.

Yes, well judged defensive decisions by England. France ran out of patience and blew it.

England managed the sinbin period bloody well. France, not so much.

I love commentary when Cokayne is playing

England will have mixed feelings. Good to win (presumably) but backs did very little and that is a concern.

Great block from Thompson.

Yep, the only time they made any metres was Scarratt on the scissors. Aitchison is a big step down from Rowland who, based on today, is wasted at 15.

England had to work very hard for that. France had enough possession and good positions to have won.
Our backs are a bit toothless. Get Rowland at 10 and bring in a more direct hard running inside centre.

Mellsblue wrote:

Mr Mwenda wrote:Fortunately the French line out and discipline bare also poor.

Agreed. Lots of appealing to/at Davidson….. it’s not a surprise she might be favouring Eng.

Don’t be so ridiculous. Her own professionalism aside the auld alliance between France and Scotland still means something.