Woodward warns England about the unpredictable French

by Andrew Baldock

CLIVE WOODWARD will send his all conquering England team into Six Nations battle today, warning: ‘‘France are the champions of one off games.’’

Despite the countries’ wildly contrasting Six Nations fortunes this season, England boss Woodward fears a potential French backlash.

While England are racing ever nearer to a successful defence of their championship crown — Wales, Italy and Scotland were all brushed aside in record breaking fashion — France have lost the plot.

A 50% winning return from four starts is hardly form to trouble an England side — especially at Twickenham — averaging more than seven tries and 55 points during the tournament.

But Woodward is on guard, fully aware that France ripped up world rugby’s formbook twice in the past 18 months by beating New Zealand when they had been written off as no hopers.

‘‘France have got nothing to lose,’’ he said. ‘‘They are at their most dangerous in this type of situation.”

Woodward was yesterday forced to make a late switch among his substitutes, replacing ankle injury victim Trevor Woodman with Saracens prop David Flatman, while experienced Leicester front row warrior Darren Garforth is also in town. Garforth has been put on stand by for 90 times capped Jason Leonard, whose partner is due to give birth, but Leonard currently remains in the team.

One England player with plenty to prove — especially in Woodward’s direction — is recalled Wasps hooker Phil Greening.

Greening’s indiscipline during the pre Christmas victory over South Africa earned a public rebuke from Woodward, and did little to comfort him while he spent the New Year recuperating after knee surgery. But his surprise selection — at the expense of Dorian West and Bath’s desperately unlucky Mark Regan — allows him what Woodward termed ‘‘another chance’’.

The omens are not good though. In four comeback appearances for Wasps, Greening has been sin binned twice, yet there can be no doubt that his outstanding footballing ability will complement a slick, adventurous England outfit.