Preview - England v France

Stage set for battle of the North

Ambushed by Wales during the opening half of last weekend's quarter-final clash, there will be no suprises awaiting Martin Johnson's troubled England team when they run out against their next opponents France in the all-northern hemisphere RWC semi-final in Sydney on Sunday.

Whereas the Welsh famously kept their tactics under wraps until that last glorious, death-or-glory attempt to storm the mighty English citadel in Brisbane - a strategy that came desperately close to succeeding - France's gameplan is right out in the open for all to see.

As England, given their scrupulous video analysis of opponents will no doubt confirm, the French method is all about unselfish teamwork, the forwards setting up a strong platform to allow their outstanding back row and backline to create space with power, pace and uncommon handling skills.

When they're on roll - as they were against Ireland last week - it's devastating stuff with the Men in Green stunned by the frightening intensity of France's opening attacks.

But whether being forearmed with the knowledge of exactly what kind of rugby their opponents are capable of will help England is another matter entirely.

The momentum appears to be with media darlings France, their thrilling play on the field and the relaxed 'open-house' policy at their Bondi Beach hotel a continuing source of delight for journalists of all nationalities during the build-up to this game (just as England's increasingly corporate media relations are a source of minor grumbling).

As their players and coaches jostled and joked around with hacks and photographers in the leafy hotel lobby on Tuesday, it was hard not to be charmed by Les Bleus, their charismatic approach in stark contrast to the more prosaic nature of certain other teams left in this tournament.

And at the centre of it all was the unassuming but muscular figure of fly-half Frédéric Michalak - arguably the star of RWC 2003 - and a player of dazzling skill from his bootlaces to his diamond-studded ears.

Michalak (and his trusty translator) have been working overtime in recent days with everyone hoping to gain an insight into how the No.10 views Sunday's game, but the 21-year-old is keen not to turn the match into a personal showdown between him and Wilkinson.

"It's not a preoccupation or a priority," said Michalak when asked about the forthcoming duel with his illustrious opposite number. "I'm more interested in how the team performs and my role in that.

"Jonny Wilkinson has masses of experience and many matches at the top level. He has great attack, defence and kicking. He is a player who has all the attributes and something for all us youngsters to look up to."

Whereas both players have been outstanding in the goal-kicking department - Wilkinson's 86 percent success-rate just shading Michalak at 85 percent, the other parts of the Frenchman's game continue to improve at roughly the same rate that his English counterpart's is declining.

Woodward has expressed astonishment at the criticism of Wilkinson, stating that he's perfectly satisfied with the performances of his fly-half, such words ringing fairly hollow when his selection of Mike Catt at inside centre proves that England are very concerned about the pressure on their No.10.

But the suspicion remains that England are due a huge performance in this tournament and will rouse themselves for this high stakes game.

However disappointing they've been in the past few weeks, Martin Johnson - making a world record 17th consecutive RWC appearance on Sunday - and his cohorts are proven match-winners (indeed, beating France twice in the past 12 months) and it's pretty nigh-on unthinkable that the 'thirtysomethings' in the team (no Dad's Army jibes please) will finish off their World Cup careers in the dreaded humiliation of the third-place play-off.

This is the time for England's senior players (Back, Dallaglio - even a half-fit Hill, etc) to stand up and be counted and prove that the millions of pounds invested in them over the past four years has been worth it.

They may not go about it in a particularly pretty manner - but as Clive Woodward pointed out at a press conference this week - there are no prizes for style in rugby (although there is an International Rugby Board committee meeting next week, so that may change).

"We're not Torvill and Dean," said the England coach, evoking memories of the Bolero-inspired figure skaters. "We're not here to get marks out of 10, we're here to win a rugby game."

And while they may have wobbled at certain times, win they have so far in this World Cup, their giant pack rousing themselves when it matters to blast opponents off the park.

They won't be able to do that to France, of course, but there is enough running talent out wide - particularly with Catt in the mix - to trouble the French defence and create scoring opportunities, whether that means tries or Wilkinson's trusty boot.

It may just mean that French poetry is eclipsed by English prose.

Players to watch:

For England: He may be lacking match fitness after a protracted spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but much is expected of flanker Richard Hill who must produce a world-class performance from a standing start. Meanwhile, in the backs, veteran midfielder Mike Catt will be charged with changing the focus of England's attacks.

For France: The loose trio of Imanol Harinordoquy, Serge Betsen and Olivier Magne have hunted as a pack during this tournament, running their opponents ragged with superb support play and finely angled attacks. If the French back row hit top form again on Sunday, the England defence could be in for a miserable afternoon.

Head to head: Phil Vickery (England) v Jean-Jacques Crenca (France): In no way a world-class scrummager, England tighthead prop Phil Vickery will be targeted mercilessly by the French front row in the set-piece during Sunday's encounter, loosehead Jean-Jacques Crenca the man charged with the responsibility of undermining England's main foundation stone. But while the Frenchman may hold sway in the scrum, Vickery is undoubtedly the more effective player in open play, his trademark bullocking runs guaranteed to get his team over the gainline.

Recent Results:  
In 2003: England won by 45-14 at Twickenham
In 2003: France won by 17-16 in Marseille
In 2003: England won by 25-17at Twickenham
In 2002: France won by 20-15 in Paris
In 2001: England won by 48-19 at Twickenham

Prediction: Rugby romantics may be pinning their hopes on a French victory but it's surely unthinkable that England will play as badly as they did against Wales and that Johnson and his men will meekly let themselves be rolled over in the biggest match of their lives.
Zurich computer Prediction: England by 7 points.
Planet Rugby Prediction: England by seven points.
SportingOdds Prediction: England by four points.

The teams:

England: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Jason Robinson, 13 Will Greenwood, 12 Mike Catt, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Jonny Wilkinson (vice-captain), 9 Matt Dawson, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio, 7 Neil Back, 6 Richard Hill, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Martin Johnson (captain), 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Steve Thompson, 1 Trevor Woodman.
Replacements: 16 Dorian West, 17 Jason Leonard, 18 Martin Corry, 19 Lewis Moody, 20 Kyran Bracken, 21 Mike Tindall, 22 Iain Balshaw.

France: 15 Nicolas Brusque, 14 Aurélien Rougerie, 13 Tony Marsh, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Christophe Dominici, 10 Frédéric Michalak, 9 Fabien Galthié (captain), 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Olivier Magne, 6 Serge Betsen, 5 Jérôme Thion, 4 Fabien Pelous, 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 1 Jean-Jacques Crenca.
Replacements: 16 Yannick Bru, 17 Olivier Milloud, 18 David Auradou, 19 Christian Labit, 20 Gérald Merceron, 21 Damien Traille, 22 Clément Poitrenaud.

Date: Sunday, November 16
Kick-off: 20.00 local (09.00 GMT), Live in the UK on ITV1
Venue: Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Conditions: High 32C
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Nigel Williams (Wales)
TMO: Andrew Cole (Australia)

By Justin O'Regan in Sydney