French flops are outsmarted

England 25 France 17

A year after so effectively extinguishing the threat of Jonny Wilkinson in the 20-15 Paris victory which wrecked England’s Grand Slam and Six Nations championship hopes last season, flanker Serge Betsen hardly laid a hand on the England flyhalf.

His frustration was clear as he said: “We cannot be happy with this match because we did not do the things we had worked on in training.”

France rarely came to terms with coach Clive Woodward’s ploy of drafting in Sale flyhalf Charlie Hodgson at centre to increase England’s options by taking some of the pressure off Wilkinson and Betsen lamented: “Jonny played much further back this time. It was difficult to get to him.

“There were two number 10s and that was good tactics by England. Also, Wilkinson kicked all the penalties while we had two and missed them. That was very important.”

But Betsen insisted that France’s Six Nations hopes are not dead and buried yet. “I hope we can still win the tournament. The first match was important because England are maybe the best team in Europe but we both have to play in Ireland and that will be important as well,” he added.

Saracens star Thomas Castaignede joined Betsen is praising England and refusing to give up on France’s hopes. “When you have a rocket like Betsen flying at you it is better to play deep,” he said.

Castaignede, who came off the replacements bench for the first time in 39 international appearances, hopes his part in his country’s fightback, which produced two late tries, will provide inspiration in the bid to retain their Six Nations title and stake his own claim for a return to the starting line-up in the World Cup build-up.

“At 25-7 it looked nearly over but we had the heart to come back,” he said. “There is still a possibility for us, maybe Ireland can make the difference.” England forwards Jason Leonard and Lewis Moody are facing fitness battles ahead of Saturday’s Championship clash against Wales in Cardiff.

Leonard’s 100th Test match appearance, in the 25-17 victory over title holders France yesterday, ended prematurely after he suffered a hamstring injury.

Flanker Moody was also forced off, nursing a problem with his left shoulder.

Woodward is also awaiting a fitness update on scrum-half Matt Dawson. Northampton star Dawson missed the French game due to a calf injury, which meant Gloucester’s Andy Gomarsall deputising.

Injuries permitting, Woodward is unlikely to deviate far from the side that ended French hopes of a second successive Grand Slam and put England in pole position to achieve their first clean sweep since 1995.

They are also unbeaten in Cardiff since 1993, while the last three Wales/England fixtures have seen England rack up 140 points and concede just 37.

England: Tries: Robinson. Cons: Wilkinson. Pens: Wilkinson 5. Drop Goals: Wilkinson.

ENGLAND: Robinson, Luger, Greenwood, Hodgson, Cohen, Wilkinson, Gomarsall, Leonard, Thompson, White, Johnson, Kay, Moody, Back, Hill, Rowntree.

Replacements: Rowntree for Leonard (35), Grewcock for Kay (80), Dallaglio for Moody (45), Regan for Rowntree (47).

France: Tries: Magne, Poitrenaud, Traille. Cons: Merceron.

FRANCE: Poitrenaud, Rougerie, Garbajosa, Traille, Clerc, Merceron, Galthie, Crenca, Ibanez, Califano, Pelous, Brouzet, Betsen, Magne, Harinordoqui.

Replacements: Castaignede for Rougerie (63), Rue for Ibanez (74), Marconnet for Califano (62), Chabal for Magne (64). Not Used: Auradou, Yachvili, Gelez.

Att: 73,500

Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand).