Scrum-half Antoine Dupont and No.8 Gregory Alldritt have been France’s two big performers, and to a degree also fly-half Romain Ntamack. However, Ntamack is producing glimpses of brilliance rather than being the complete conductor of the team, one who varies it by sitting in the pocket and kicking into space one minute, and the next playing flat and challenging the defence, or keeping the opposition guessing with up-and-unders or wipers kicks.
Ntamack is not controlling the game enough, so when you look at this French team there is no structural shape – they just tend to be waiting for someone to do something inspirational, and then follow them.
For instance, England have structure when they exit out of their own half. Forwards will play a couple of phases to set a platform before they implement their kicking strategy via the half-backs. England could also go wide playing right to left and using Slade’s left foot.
France don’t have that midfield kicking option – it seems to happen more by chance. Ntamack’s chip-and chase which set up Virimi Vakatawa’s try against Ireland two weeks ago was planned, but you get the feeling it was called on the move rather than being part of a phase play strategy.
The difference with France is that you feel they can make it happen from anywhere on the field, whereas England’s structure makes it very unlikely that they will run from deep. The French also have a player of huge pace, power and destructive ability in Vakatawa, but at the moment he and Ntamack have not played together long enough to have the level of understanding that England backs like Farrell, Ford and Henry Slade enjoy.
Dupont and Ntamack is a 9-10 partnership that any country would want to keep together until the 2023 World Cup – and with Dupont 23 and Ntamack only 21, that partnership could even last two World Cups.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 15, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 15, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Holders Kent are back in business
KENT began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with a thrilling victory over Hampshire.
Lightning Bo bags 'amazing' fab four
RAPID winger Bo Westcombe-Evans stormed her way to an incredible four tries to help Loughborough Lightning secure maximum points over their nearest league rivals, Harlequins.
'Privilege to play in Jonny's 10 jersey'
ACHIEVING his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in No.10 Newcastle's shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his stay at the Premiership's struggling side.
Best I've felt for six years - Roux
QUINN Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it'll be a stretch for him to be around at Bath for as long as Johann van Graan.
Lake's at double to sink the Dragons
OSPREYS maximum claimed points to keep alive their mathematical hopes of making the playoffs while also clinching the Welsh Shield.
Falcons' misery but hosts restore pride
THE battle of the battered ended with Newcastle becoming the third team to go through a Premiership campaign without a victory and generGloucester ating cheers rather than jeers.
It's away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries
SALE ended their StoneX curse to reach the Premiership play-offs for a second straight season and deny Saracens a home semi-final courtesy of an almighty performance from their beefy back row.
Big win but it's not enough for Bears
BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.
Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day
BATH have been in the top four all season and on a tense super afternoon, Saturday with play-off places at stake, they made no mistake against an understrength and underwhelming Saints XV.
Ex-Wasps buzzing for European glory
THIBAUD Flament has risen from Loughborough University's fifth team to become a French international with the intention of next weekend becoming a Champions Cup winner again.