where to see England-France and five things to know about the Crunch

Romain Ntamack challenges Marcus Smith, under the eyes of Damian Penaud, last year at the Stade de France. Panoramic

Where to see England-France

The kick off of match between the English and the French will be given this Saturday at 5:45 p.m. in Twickenham, in the suburbs of London. A meeting broadcast live on France 2, with Matthieu Lartot and Dimitri Yachvili to comments. Also available on lefigaro.fr. with the match commented live by the dashing Thomas Larroquette.

2005, the last victory at Twickenham in the Tournament

Eighteen years and eight defeats that it lasts… The XV of France has not won in England, in the Six Nations Tournament, since February 13, 2005 and a short success (17-18). The last of his eleven victories in the “Temple of Rugby” in the ancestral competition (there was also a success in 2007 in a preparation match for the World Cup). Led at the break (17-6), Bernard Laporte’s Blues, impressive in courage and selflessness, finally overthrew the XV of the Rose thanks to the boot of their scrum half, Dimitri Yachvili. A formidable scorer (6 penalties scored out of 6 attempted), the Biarritz Olympique scrum-half had, in the process, been given a nickname: “The England Scourge”, the scourge of England. “The greatest victories are when the team takes charge. Admittedly, we had been screwed by Bernard (Laporte, at halftime). But then there is no one. Only fifteen players on the field. This is where you find yourself collectively. It is still necessary to have the temperament, the character to take oneself in hand”, had recently entrusted the “Yach” to us. Do the Blues of 2023 have the same “temperament” And “character” ?

Read also2005: Yashvili becomes the “scourge of England”

Danty, weight return

This was the big surprise when the squad line-up to challenge England was announced. Fabien Galthié and his staff have decided to establish, in the center of the tricolor attack, Jonathan Danty (18 caps). Thibault Giroud had specified that the last high-intensity training of the week, Wednesday, would make it possible to know if the center of La Rochelle (1.81 m for 110 kg) was fit or not, he who had recently returned from injury. Green light for a return to blue. Before his conference on Thursday, Fabien Galthié said: “I told him : “I’m sure there will be a question about you. Do you have something to say?” He gave me his answer : “I’m hot”. He said everything and we understood everything.” A weight reinforcement for the XV of France. He will reform with Gaël Fickou the center pair that allowed France to achieve the Grand Slam last year.

Read alsoFabien Galthié: “Jonathan Danty told me to tell you he was hot…”

Smith dethrones Farrell

Earthquake in England.Preference was given to youth rather than experience. Smith (24) is in a number 10 player profile, while Farrell (31) is more in a classic register. “Having Marcus on the court for the start of the game and then Owen at the end of the game is what I think is the right fit against this opponent,” justifies the coach of the Rose, who specified that Farrell will recover the captain’s armband when he comes into play. During the “money time”.

Read also“Baby Rhino”, Ali’s great-grandson, dyspraxia … 5 things to know about Ellis Genge, the new captain of the XV of England

10 of 15 from last year’s Crunch

Last year, the Blues of Fabien Galthié managed the tenth Grand Slam in the history of the France team. A first since 2010. And, for that, they imposed themselves, during the fifth and last match, against England (25-13) in an incandescent Stade de France. A success without shaking, thanks to three tries from Fickou (15th), Cros (39th) and Dupont (61st). These three players will start again on Saturday at Twickenham. Just like seven other Tricolores: Baille, Marchand, Willemse, Alldritt, Ntamack, Danty, Penaud.

On the other hand, five other incumbent “Slamards” are missing. Antonio is suspended, after a high tackle on Irish hooker Rob Herring. Woki (scaphoid fracture), Jelonch (cruciate ligament of the knee) and Villière (left fibula) are absent due to injury. There is only one missing on the call on sporting choice: Jaminet who has lost his place in favor of Ramos since the start of the Tournament.

The English awakening in the Champions Cup

While a large majority of Premiership formations are experiencing serious economic problems, in particular Wasps and Worcester, English clubs have however woken up this season in the Champions Cup. As for the Top 14 teams, only Toulouse, La Rochelle and Montpellier managed to win their ticket for the round of 16, in an expanded qualifying formula. England is much better represented with five clubs: Leicester, Harlequins, Gloucester, Exeter and Saracens.

For the past two seasons, France has won the continental title (before the integration of the South African provinces) with Toulouse crowned in 2021 and Stade Rochelais the following year. Two coronations which had put an end to a quasi-English hegemony in five years, with the supremacy of Saracens (2016, 2017, 2019) and the first of Exeter in 2020. Only Leinster – arch favorites this season – managing to win the timpani in 2018. In 2023, Her Majesty’s subjects recovered in the Champions Cup. Same effects on the XV of the Rose?