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This game could be anything. The English could finally put in the kind of dazzling display they are capable of and smash the French into oblivion. The French, with their backs firmly against the wall, could come out with a snarl and show some of that Gallic fire that they are so famous for, which has been absent in the tournament thus far. Or the most likely event: A dull and uninspiring kick-a-thon between two teams trying to play as little rugby as possible and won by less than 6 points either way ( with the losing team’s loss probably blamed on the referee). A vBookie conundrum! Who is going to win? By how much? And will it even be worth watching? Let’s see...
The Form Guide
England and France have played almost 100 test matches together and England enjoys a slender lead with a 54% win record. The last 10 years of Six Nations have been fairly even in the spoils with 5 games apiece. England have, however, won 4 out of the last 5 and will take a lot of heart from their record in RWC games against France. France have won just one of their previous World Cup face-offs and that was all the way back in 1995 in the third place play off. England on the other hand have enjoyed wins over the French in the 2007 and 2003 semi-finals as well as the 1991 quarter final. In fact, England have gone on to make the final every time they have faced France in the knock-out stages. This game could either book England a ticket home or a ticket to the final.
Both teams will be pretty pleased with how the draw has worked out for them as they have probably been the most out of form teams in the competition thus far. England have been just plain awful and have struggled to make it out of their group (albeit at the top) with narrow wins over Argentina (13-9) and Scotland (16-12) added to their unimpressive wins over Georgia and Romania. To the credit, at least they have been able to squeeze the close ones and show their steel in the final 10 minutes. The team seems to be a bit of a confused mixture of the England of old and the new vibrant attacking England. Factor in the off field dramas of wenching, dwarf throwing and abusing women and it is starting to bring shame on some of the dyed in the wool English fans.
France are having their fair share of problems but at least these problems have been rugby-centric. Marc Lievremont has coached his side to losses against New Zealand and Tonga and the team failed to impress against lowly Japan. There are rumours of big rifts between the coach and his players and this has seen a fair bit of venting in his media interviews. France should count themselves lucky they are still in the tournament and buy the Canadian team, who beat Tonga earlier in the competition, a few rounds the next time they meet up. So to summarise: Poor form, under fire from the media, coach-player feuding, an embarrassing loss to Tonga and a lame duck head coach. A perfect environment for a famous French boilover.
The Stars So Far
Ha. Hahahahahhahaha. Not too much to say here. No that’s not fair. There have been a couple of stand outs. For England Manu Tuialagi has been brilliant with bone crunching tackles and powerful running. He is one of the few English backs who looks any good. Most of the forwards have failed to really show their potential. Tom Croft has been excellent, but then again he could be a lot better. The player who has impressed me most for England, however, has been Toby Flood. Flood has been playing second fiddle to Jonny Wilkinson all tournament. God knows why as Wilkinson’s place kicking has been abominable. It is no surprise that England has taken control of matches in the final 15 minutes, which is usually when Flood takes the field. Get the hint Johnno.
As hard as that is for England, France are probably even harder. I can’t say I’ve watched enough of the French to really comment. But which French players can actually say they are pleased with their performances thus far? Lievremont has been mixing his team selections up so much it has hardly given anyone a chance to shine. Vincent Clerc at least has shown his finishing skills once again with 5 tries so far. He is bettered in the try-scoring stages only by England’s Chris Ashton (may God smite him).
What It Will Come Down To
In a word: Passion. Sure that is a given for most matches but it is particularly pertinent given the lack of passion displayed by the two teams thus far. Now maybe it’s not just the passion. Maybe it’s the coaching. Either way, these teams aren’t playing half as well as they can and should. But passion should be enough at least to get one over on Tonga!
So who is going to show up? Two passionate teams fired up for a rugby slugfest? One passionate team and one floundering team? Or, as it was in the 2007 semi final, two teams trying their hardest not to play rugby? In the case of the former and the latter there won’t be too much separating these two teams. France arguably have more to prove and have the bonus of a far better goal kicking record thus far. Each point will count.
The Prediction
France have been playing too badly not to win this one. You don’t lose to Tonga without bouncing back with an epic performance. England have had let off after let off and probably haven’t learnt from any of it. France will come out all guns blazing, and by the time England recover, it will be too late. France by 12.
Teams
TBA
Who would you choose if you could take one French player and one English player and have them play for the?
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Originally Posted by Sheikh
