France are the Six Nations side to beat, so we are always told, in the season after a British and Irish Lions tour. If it happens again this year it will be the fifth time in a row but England have not travelled across the English Channel in the mood to satisfy neat Gallic symmetry.
"We may have to weather a storm early on but we intend to bring our own fire," said Tom Wood, always ready to assume the role of Churchillian orator in big weeks like this one. His words further stoked the belief on both sides that a massive confrontation awaits. The English headline plastered across the front of Midi Olympique - "Yes, We Can" – underlined the local desire for France to forget their wooden spoon travails of last season.
If it were simply about which side can least afford to lose this opening fixture, Les Bleus would be favourites. The English have their own chunk of history to cling to, having beaten the French in six of the past seven Six Nations meetings.
Five massive games
A first title under Stuart Lancaster also remains a clearly defined objective. "We definitely want something to show for all our efforts," Wood said. "There are five massive games in our way and we can't be talking about silverware yet but we're going to approach every game expecting to win it. I think we've got the talent."
Both sides have a sprinkling of championship newcomers and neither can be sure how their youngsters will respond. There are echoes of 2002 when a young outhalf named Jonny Wilkinson was hunted down by Serge Betsen, although this time it is the uncapped French outhalf Jules Plisson who will be chased by a slavering English pack of hounds.
Plisson has some talent but the 22-year-old’s untested partnership with the scrum-half Jean-Marc Doussain will be the focus of much scrutiny. “We’ve shown in the past, even with the most experienced half-backs, that if you put them under significant pressure and get them on the back foot they suddenly don’t look as world-class,” Wood said. “If you can break that link between nine and 10 you have largely got the battle won.”
It helps that England's forwards are equipped to play at a faster tempo, with Danny Care snapping at their heels. If the weather is reasonable and the pitch holds up the aim will be to sidestep the kind of wrestling match that would suit France, whose coach Philippe Saint-Andre has named six forwards and only two backs on the bench. Mike Catt, England's skills coach, is keen to see Jonny May and Jack Nowell running free but suspects patience and discipline will be more vital. "I think the game will be won in the last 10-15 minutes," he said "We know what's coming."
Of the two sides, it is England who sit highest in the IRB world rankings and Nigel Owens is not a referee who usually presides over a slug-fest.
Staying focused
While Warren Gatland wants Wales to play with a strut, England are focused on walking the walk. "I don't really care how the Welsh walk, to be honest," Wood said. "We're not about strutting. Our confidence comes from within. I don't think fear or being daunted is ever a phrase that comes into our team meetings."
If they can withstand the furious early Gallic storm, English character could yet prevail.
GuardianService
