England v France RWC 2011 Quarter Final Pre Match Thoughts

England take on France in the second quarter final to be played this weekend in New Zealand.

IRB Rugby World Cup 2011

Quarter Finals

England v France

08 October 2011 - 08.30 BST, Eden Park, Auckland

Well here we go again.......... up early, set the alarm clock, bacon butties if you are lucky and no doubt another nerve racking couple of hours watching England Rugby  Elite play.  Not sure if I can cope with many more of these early encounters as it does my stomach no good.

Let's first talk about the French, I do so love this nation's rugby players.   They always keep us on our toes, the age old saying 'you never know which French team will turn up' .  This time however, we are told that they are in disarray, they have gone AWOL and they are going it alone without their coach Marc Lievremont.  It has to be said Lievremont did not help his cause by lambasting his players earlier on in this RWC and seems to have a go at them each time he encounters the Press.

Oh dear look at Yachvili's face - says it all! - Picture RWC Site

So the French are fired up but not because of Lievremont but because of a certain Mr.Imanol Harinordoquy who it appears, has rallied the French troops and  setting course for Eden Park and a battle royal with England again.  Should be fun, for a neutral.  Of course French pride and honour are on the menu also.

France and England have played  94 times.  England have won 51 - France 36 and they have drawn 7.  On those stats., one would think that England should win again but........... and it is a big but after the way England have been playing up to now, sorry but they don't inspire confidence.   On the other hand France might just roll over like a puppy or come out ready for a fight.   Who knows?  But up to now France have been poor, so luck would have it that they are due a good/great match and it just could be this weekend.   Oh... I do hope not.

Picture Empics - Toby Flood

England have gone with  Toby Flood starting at inside centre alongside Jonny Wilkinson at fly half in one of four changes made by Martin Johnson.  Also in the starting line up lock Tom Palmer, No 8 Nick Easter and wing Mark Cueto who all come in for Courtney Lawes, James Haskell and Delon Armitage respectively.

Lawes and Haskell drop down to the bench, alongside three other forwards in Dylan Hartley, Alex Corbisiero and Simon Shaw, with Richard Wigglesworth covering the halfback positions and Matt Banahan the rest of the backline.

Picture Empics -   Oh and we won't say anything about the Ref., shall we, other than .......................................................   it's only Stevey Walshy Baby ...aghhhhhh,

England: B Foden; C Ashton , M Tuilagi , T Flood , M Cueto ; J Wilkinson , B Youngs ; M Stevens , S Thompson  D Cole , L Deacon , T Palmer (Stade Francais), T Croft , L Moody (Captain), N Easter.

Replacements: D Hartley, A Corbisiero, C Lawes , S Shaw , J Haskell , R Wigglesworth , M Banahan

France: M Medard, V Clerc, A Rougerie, M Mermoz, A Palisson, M Parra, D Yachvili; JB Poux, W Servat, N Mas, P Pape, L Nallet, T Dusautoir (capt), J Bonnaire, I Harinordoquy.

 Replacements: D Szarzewski, F Barcella, J Pierre, L Picamoles, F Trinh-Duc, D Marty, C Heymans.

Match Officials:

Referee: Steve Walsh (AUS)

Touch Judge: Alain Rolland (IRE)

Touch Judge: George Clancy (IRE)

TV match official: Shaun Veldsman (RSA