Things look set to get ugly for England against France
Matt Williams: Scotland could beat Ireland if they do something they haven’t done for yearsGerry Thornley: Italy v Wales may be more important than Warren Gatland wishes to admitFrance have selected players predominately from Toulouse, Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Toulon, who are either first or second in their pools.
The popular belief is that players who are not selected at club level are being rested. In reality, the opposite occurs. These players are pushed through several days of extreme physical training at intensities significantly above what they will experience in a match. While it is rugby 101, the fact remains that the English players' fitness levels are inferior to that of the Irish and the French. The blame rests with the English clubs, not Steve Borthwick.are now in a similar situation to Ireland. The spectacular rise in standards set by Glasgow, who won the URC last May and finished in second place in their Champions Cup pool, have lifted the performances of the national team.
In last week’s win over Italy, they showed both their class and their flaws. In taking a strong 19-9 lead they had the ever improving Italians all but defeated. But Scotland then lost concentration and invited the Italians back into the match as they drew even at 19-19 at the 65-minute mark. For both teams this is a championship-defining match. If Ireland can repeat their second-half performance from last week, then only France appear to have the firepower to hold them. Yet, if Scotland can put together 80 minutes of total concentration, which they have not done for many seasons, then they are capable of a historic victory.
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