French manager launches strong defence of under-fire pack

FRANCE team manager Jo Maso has put up a stout defence of his much criticised pack ahead of the return match against England this weekend.

Les Bleus came away from Twickenham on Saturday with a hard-fought 21-15 victory, despite being dominated for large parts in the scrum and the line-out.

The squad for the home leg of the double-header against England, which is being played in Marseille on Saturday night, was announced yesterday and showed six changes — four coming in the forwards.