England and France are set to battle it out in the Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday, March 13. The game promises to be an exciting spectacle, and rugby fans worldwide are eagerly waiting for the clash between these two European giants.
The teams have been named, and there are some significant changes to both sides. For England, Marcus Smith has been named as the starting fly-half for the first time, replacing captain Owen Farrell, who has been dropped to the bench. The 22-year-old was impressive for Harlequins in their recent European Champions Cup game against Munster, and his performance has earned him a starting spot in the England side. Eddie Jones, the England head coach, stated that Smith had shown potential in training and that he had impressed the coaching staff with his decision-making abilities.
In addition to Smith, there are several other changes to the England side. Elliot Daly has been named at full-back, with Max Malins moving to the right-wing. Anthony Watson and Jonny May will start on the left-wing. In the forwards, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mark Wilson, and Courtney Lawes have all been called up, with Jamie George, Ben Earl, and Charlie Ewels dropping to the bench.
For France, there is only one change to the starting lineup that defeated Wales in the last match. Arthur Vincent replaces Virimi Vakatawa, who is still recovering from injury. Vincent is a talented young center who has been impressing in the Top 14 for Montpellier. He will be partnering Gael Fickou in the midfield, with Damian Penaud and Teddy Thomas on the wings.
The French team will be led once again by captain Charles Ollivon, who has been in excellent form throughout the tournament. Antoine Dupont, the scrum-half, will be one to watch, as he has shown time and time again that he is one of the best in the world at his position.
The England vs. France fixture is always a fiercely contested fixture, with both teams having a history of producing some thrilling games. However, this year, the stakes are high. France is currently sitting at the top of the Six Nations table, having won all three of their games, while England is in fourth place, having lost two of their three matches.
For England, this game is a must-win if they are to have any chance of winning the Six Nations title. If they lose, it will likely be impossible for them to catch up with the French or even the Welsh, who are currently in second place. For France, a win would put them in a great position to lift the trophy, with only Scotland standing in their way in the final game of the tournament.
In terms of recent form, both teams have been impressive. France has been playing an attractive brand of rugby, with their young and talented team scoring some outstanding tries. England, on the other hand, has struggled to find their rhythm, with their performances being marred by poor decision-making and sloppy handling. However, with the inclusion of young gun Marcus Smith, England’s attack could be more potent than in previous games.
At Twickenham, England has a formidable home record, and they will be looking to use this to their advantage. However, the French team has also been impressive on the road, winning against Ireland and Scotland earlier in the tournament. It promises to be a mouth-watering clash, and fans can expect a physical and intense game of rugby.
With both teams having talented players, this game could be won and lost in the battle of the forwards. England will be looking to impose themselves physically, with the likes of Courtney Lawes and Maro Itoje expected to lead the charge. France, too, has a powerful pack, with Romain Taofifenua and Bernard Le Roux expected to make life difficult for the English.
In the end, this game could come down to a battle between the fly-halves. Marcus Smith will be tasked with running the English attack, while Romain Ntamack will be looking to control the game for the French. It will be a fascinating contest between two young players who have shown immense potential.
In conclusion, the England vs. France fixture promises to be a thrilling game of rugby. With both teams in good form and plenty to play for, it is sure to be a tightly contested affair. Fans around the world will be tuning in to see the clash between these two European giants, and they are unlikely to be disappointed.