France changes point to a low-scoring game with England
Published:France have recalled stand-off Lionel Beauxis and scrum-half Julien Dupuy for their Six Nations clash with England this Sunday – a game they are big 2/7 favourites to win.
They start in place of Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc who have been dropped following their less than stellar performances in France’s 17-17 draw in their rearranged fixture against Ireland last week.
Dupuy had been in international exile for the past 15 months following his suspension for eye gouging Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris, but Philippe Saint-André has seen fit to recall the Stade Français man.
Meanwhile, the inclusion of the big-kicking Beauxis at fly-half suggests France are looking to play a more disciplined game to stop England from following Ireland’s lead and dominating territory in the first 40 minutes.
Speaking the official Six Nations website, Saint-André said: “It’s a strategic adjustment. England like to play for territory, especially away, we saw that against Italy and Scotland.
“In the first three games we have struggled to get out of our half in the first 20 minutes. The goal is to have a long kicking game to counter their aerial ping-pong and territory game.”
Neither France nor England have hit top form so far in the tournament and, in their previous three meetings, an average of just over five points has separated them.
With England’s defence performing admirably against the marauding Welsh in their last Six Nations game and France far from their flowing best, backing the game to finish with a narrow win for one of the sides looks like the best punt currently available.
With France winning four of their previous six games against England in Paris, putting some cash on the home side to come through by 1-5 points at 9/2 could yield a very tidy pay out.
