England entertain France at Twickenham on Sunday for the latest edition of Le Crunch (19:00 UAE time).
Here, we look at three talking points ahead of the clash.
England need to prove Dublin performance wasn’t a one off
The Red Rose were immense for large spells of the game against Ireland and look back to their best again under Eddie Jones.
The physicality, energy, accurate decision-making in attack and defence, and general class with the ball in hand was superb in the commanding win in Dublin.
Henry Slade (two tries) and Mako Vunipola (27 tackles) led the way for perhaps England’s best display under Jones, but the home side need to prove that golden display at the Aviva wasn’t a one off, and they can maintain these immense standards for the rest of the championship.
Forty six dominant tackles in comparison to Ireland’s nine will obviously be difficult to match. However, the challenge should be to replicate the same display or better it against a team who have failed to win at Twickenham since 2005.
Which France team will turn up?
It’s hard to know which French team is going to take to the field on Sunday.
Their opening round defeat to Wales at Stade de France is a classic example. Leading 16-0 and in control at half-time, Les Bleus imploded with a combination of poor mistakes and inconsistent decision making.
Still ahead with ten minutes to go, a moment of madness from lock Sebastien Vahaamahina allowed George North to race in for a late try and go on to secure the win.
With six changes made for the trip to the England capital, and the return of imposing centre Mathieu Bastareaud, France need to start showing some consistency, focus and tighten up when the pressure is on, and hold out for the full 80 minutes.
For a side so accustomed to lighting up Six Nations weekends, they have failed to flicker in past seasons and need to start showing some of their old class again, especially with some talented players coming through the ranks.
Young guns or seasoned campaigners?
If the depth and experience of the substitutes bench is anything to go by then England are head and shoulders above their opponents.
With a combined 249 caps, Jones has worthy experience to call upon in 82-time capped prop Dan Cole, out-half George Ford (52 appearances) and lock Joe Launchbury (54 caps).
Les Bleus, meanwhile, may be lacking in experience off the bench but have plenty of young talent waiting to shine. Prop Dany Priso (11 caps) and scrum-half Antoine Dupoint (10 caps) may be their so-called seasoned campaigners, despite only making their respective debuts in 2018.
Romain Ntamack (19), Paul Willemse (26), Gregory Alldritt (21) and Pierre Bourgarit (21) have all only played once for the national side but will be looking to make an impact when introduced late in the game.
Will England’s seasoned campaigners prove their influence in the final quarter or will France’s young guns sparkle?
