Meanwhile, it’s now England of which you can say you do not know which side will go up, so is their inconsistency in selection and performance. Except Jones signed exactly what his team will be doing this weekend: kick, kick and then a little more. It’s a team chosen for a specific purpose to win what Jones calls the “battle for metering” both through the air and around the jerk, which at least reduces the confusion surrounding non-formative rugby.
“We have a game plan in place that we think would be very effective against them,” said captain Courtney Lawes. “It’s up to us to make sure we can impose that game plan on them. At this point, they are still playing to win the championship. Essentially, all the pressure is on them.
Especially when Ireland defeated Scotland earlier in the day. Then the title is on the line without safety net of bonus points. This represents a fantastic opportunity for England to not only relieve this Paris party, but to score Les Bleus’ growing confidence like a balloon at next year’s World Cup.
A whole generation of players has passed since France last won the title in 2010. The last time they failed to bring home a Grand Slam was in 1955. If they do not conclude the deal here, the question arises whether or not now and when. ? That feeling of doubt is as corrosive as acid.
And that’s where the public can perform on Saturday night as the 16th man for each team. No follower can go as fast as the French from death to death and back again. Jones spoke of a “terrible” calm this week when the feeling of fear of the stands on the ground faded.
“They might get a little quiet when things don’t go their way,” said Maro Itoje, who is just one of three starters who have tasted victory at the Stade de France. “When their team is at the top and they have momentum, they are the toughest fans on the circuit.” Asked if they would come to France’s back if things were not planned, Itoje said: “I think this is possibly a fair representation.”
Jones spoke of Itoje, who recently created Everest with his appearances and the second line will play a crucial role here, especially in his duties to harass Antoine Dupont at every possible opportunity. Jones will need many others to climb to their own peak on Saturday night. Ellis Genge and Jamie George have to advance their performances from the Ireland game and then some new ones. Lawes and Sam Underhill have to make sure Le Crunch keeps his bill.
Behind the scrum, half-backs Ben Youngs and Marcus Smith must be on the money with every kick if they deliver Jones’ game plan. The rest of the back should be ready to run and start instead.
It will almost certainly not be beautiful. It does not have to be perfect. But a result here would rank in the top three of Jones’ reign and offer that warm glow. The defeat gives Jones and his “New England” project an icy future.
Add Comment