Teams
Romain Ntamack is given the nod at 10 by Galthie, the young man who orchestrated all of what was so good about France in the early parts of the RWC Quarter Final vs Wales. Many point to the Vahaamahina red as the turning point in that game, but it was Ntamack’s withdrawal through injury at half time that was the real issue for France. He’ll hope to play as well and last a bit longer today.
There’s a blow for France with the excellent Damien Penaud forced to withdraw late with injury, Vincent Rattez is off the bench to replace him. Plenty of eyes will be on Virimi Vakatawa who has been playing rugby from another galaxy at 13 for Racing so far this season and his form plus all the other talents in the France backline make for some promise of a carnival back there today.
That’s all assuming they can get the ball, and Eddie Jones has made it quite clear he will stop all this exciting play chatter by turning France into a fine paste with his side’s power and physicality. He’s looking to achieve this by picking powerhouse lock Courtney Lawes at 6 and bringing in Bath’s all activity second-row Charlie Ewels. Jones also appears to have decided that Elliot Daly is not England’s future at fullback and has handed a debut to the Northampton’s impressive youngster George Furbank.
France: 15-Anthony Bouthier, 14-Teddy Thomas, 13-Virimi Vakatawa, 12-Gael Fickou, 11-Vincent Rattez, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont; 1-Cyril Baille, 2-Julien Marchand, 3-Mohamed Haouas, 4-Bernard Le Roux, 5-Paul Willemse, 6-Francois Cros, 7-Charles Ollivon, 8-Gregory Alldritt
Replacements: 16-Peato Mauvaka, 17-Jefferson Poirot, 18-Demba Bamba, 19-Boris Palu, 20-Cameron Woki, 21-Baptiste Serin, 22-Matthieu Jalibert, 23-Arthur Vincent
England: 15-George Furbank, 14-Jonny May, 13-Manu Tuilagi, 12-Owen Farrell (captain), 11-Elliot Daly, 10-George Ford, 9-Ben Youngs; 1-Joe Marler, 2-Jamie George, 3-Kyle Sinckler, 4-Maro Itoje, 5-Charlie Ewels, 6-Courtney Lawes, 7-Sam Underhill, 8-Tom Curry
Replacements: 16-Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17-Ellis Genge, 18-Will Stuart, 19-George Kruis, 20-Lewis Ludlam, 21-Willi Heinz, 22-Ollie Devoto, 23-Jonathan Joseph