Improvement needed if England are to test French

Danny Grewcock is ready for England’s daunting mission against France in Paris, but the Bath lock admits: “We have to raise our game.”

England last won at Stade de France in February 2000, when Garath Archer and Simon Shaw forged the second-row combination during a 15-9 victory.

Grewcock and his Bath team-mate Steve Borthwick are now England’s twin line-out pillars, and Sunday’s Six Nations Championship clash will see them in tandem for a sixth time out of seven Tests this season.

Had citing officer Ken Pattinson taken a tougher stance over his alleged stamp on Llanelli Scarlets fly-half Mike Hercus during last weekend’s Powergen Cup semi-final rather than issue just a warning, Grewcock might well have missed the Paris trip.

But he will line up as comfortably the most experienced member of an England pack prepared to meet French forward fire head-on.

“We have to raise our game against France, and hopefully that will bring out the best in us,” said Grewcock, who wins his 63rd cap.