England vs France background
I have been waiting patiently for this match up and I’m sure it’s not going to disappoint. England beat an under strength French team in the Autumn Cup final and France will have a point to prove. This will be baptism of fire for Max Malins who comes into this match at the expense of Elliot Daly. France has a full strength team after their Covid problems and welcome back Romain Ntamack and Virimi Vakatawa. Eddie Jones and the England team are under fire after losses to Scotland and Wales. The English media have ripped into Jones on his selection policy but now is the time for those players to repay the faith he has shown in them. This French team can attack from anywhere and they are superbly marshalled around the park by arguable the best player in the world, Anton Dupont. He is electric and fast around the field and for England to stand any chance they have to keep him quiet. There are very few weaknesses in this French team but the scrum may be suspect and no doubt this is one area England will target. Nothing less than an England victory will justify Jones curious team selections.
TIP: England needs this victory more than the French do but I can’t see this happening. France has too many game breakers in their side and will prove too strong for this England team. Jones insistence on picking Saracens players who had no game time will no doubt come back to haunt him. There is good value for money on a France victory. Worldsportsbetting has a French victory at 2.15 while Supabets and Sunbet have them at 2.10 and 2.08 respectively.
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
England vs France
- The last 5 matches has seen 2 wins apiece and a draw which England won in extra time.
- The home team has won the last 5 meetings between the sides.
- France last victory in England was in 2011.
Latest results for both teams
England lost away to Wales 40-24 and France won a tight affair away to Ireland 15-13
PREDICTION
The poor form of Billy Vunipola and the other Saracens players suggests that this England team has too many passengers on board while the French backline is littered with speed and talent to burn. I predict a France win and I know they haven’t won in England in nearly 10 years but remember England don’t have their 80000 fans in Twickenham singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot. This will be a close affair but France will prevail by less than 10 points.
- Confirmed Starting XVs
England
15 Max Malins, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Mako Vunipola
France
15 Brice Dulin, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Damian Penaud, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon (c), 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Romain Taofifenua, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Odds for this bet
Only a die-hard English supporter will agree that England is the favourite for this clash especially after coming of 2 demoralizing losses. I think punters can cash in on this and these are the odds on a French victory
Supabets 2.10
Worldsportsbetting 2.15
Sunbet 2.08
Odds comparison
The best value for money is at Worldsportbetting on a French win 2.15. Supabets are offering 2.10 and Sunbet is at 2.08
Predictions and Odds in details
The England media and management have said they will target the French scrum but the England scrum is not all powerful like it was in the 2019 World Cup. France under Fabian Gathie have moved away from playing a forward based game and he has brought that French flair back and they certainly have players like Dupont, Penaud and Teddy Thomas to play that expansive game. England on the other hand has no flair and Captain Owen Farrell spends more time questioning the referee than getting on with the game. All this said I am predicting France to break their long drought and be victorious at Twickenham. Worldsportsbetting is the best value for a French victory at 2.15. Supabets and Sunbet are at 2.10 and 2.08 respectively.
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
