France captain Antoine Dupont is cautious of the potential menace Fin Smith and Marcus Smith will pose in England’s assault on Saturday.
England have rolled the cube for the spherical two fixture by giving Fin Smith his full debut at fly-half and shifting Marcus Smith to full-back, adjustments they hope will ignite their assault.
The playmakers, each conventional 10s, completed final Saturday’s 27-22 defeat by Eire in these positions and Dupont fears Marcus Smith will probably be an enormous menace operating from deep.
“It went rather well at the end of the game against Ireland, with Marcus Smith at full-back. It went well against us last year when he came on early,” Dupont mentioned.
“We all know his high quality, with the ball in his arms and that he’s in a position to create overlaps in virtually any state of affairs. He is a menace whether or not he is a ten or a 15.
“There will be another No 10 on the pitch to drive the game. They will surely want to keep the ball. It will be up to us to adapt.”
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Fin Smith mentioned ‘It is a dream’ forward of his first Take a look at begin at fly-half for England in opposition to France
Dupont relieved to not face Toulouse team-mate Willis
Dupont leads France into their Six Nations showdown at Allianz Stadium the place he will probably be trying to kill off the hosts’ title aspirations by clinching a fourth successive victory within the fixture.
The world’s greatest participant believes the purpose has been made simpler by England’s rule of solely choosing gamers from the Premiership, denying them entry to the likes of Joe Marchant, Henry Arundell and Willis.
Willis’ transfer to Toulouse in 2022 has been an unqualified success and he’s contracted to the Prime 14 and Champions Cup double winners till 2029.
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Sky Sports activities’ James Cole speaks to England coach Richard Wigglesworth forward of their large Six Nations conflict with France and the issues round their health and consistency within the late stage of matches
When requested about England overlooking their stars competing in France, Dupont mentioned: “I’m a bit surprised, but I’m quite happy not to be playing against Jack. We know the nightmare he is in the ruck area.
“Their guidelines are completely different from ours and it is like that for the second. I do not suppose they are going to change it quickly.”
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Sky Sports activities Information’ Geraint Hughes outlines the brand new guidelines that can rework this yr’s Six Nations match
England crew to play France
Beginning XV: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 George Martin, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Tom Willis.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly.
France crew to play England
Beginning XV: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c); 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Paul Boudehent, 8 Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickel Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton.
Six Nations fixtures: Spherical Two
Saturday February 8
Italy vs Wales (2.15pm)
England vs France (4.45pm)
Sunday February 9
Scotland vs Eire (3pm)
British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports activities
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Sky Sports activities’ Jack Wilkinson takes a have a look at the highest 5 gamers which have staked their declare for the British and Irish Lions tour in the summertime after their performances within the first spherical of the 2025 Six Nations
Sky Sports activities will completely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Exams in opposition to the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven completely reside.
