Six Nations: This battle is not for faint-hearted but that is music to mighty Manu's ears

 
Chris Jones22 February 2013

Manu Tuilagi is relishing the challenge of halting French powerhouse Mathieu Bastareaud tomorrow. The Leicester wrecking ball has been recalled to join Brad Barritt in midfield to counter the even bigger physical threat of Bastareaud and the clash of the two players will be a feature of what should be the outstanding match of the Six Nations.

While England aim to remain on course for the Grand Slam, the French are trying to avoid a third successive loss this season and coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made eight changes — one positional — in a bid to halt the flak flying his way.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster made three changes to the team that beat Ireland 12-6 in Dublin and all are aimed at adding firepower to an already potent force. Tuilagi has replaced Billy Twelvetrees, while up front Dylan Hartley takes over from the smaller Tom Youngs to boost the scrum power and Courtney Lawes is in for James Haskell.

Lawes and Tuilagi (above) are among the biggest tacklers in rugby and, with France featuring a fearsome pack, this match will not be for the faint-hearted.

Having helped defeat world champions New Zealand at Twickenham in December, Tuilagi is eager to get stuck into the French.

Last season, he scored a brilliant solo try in England’s 24-22 win in Paris and is ready to perform similar heroics at Twickenham tomorrow.

Tuilagi said: “Bastareaud is a quality player and will take some stopping. It is another opportunity to test myself against one of the greatest players in the competition but you don’t go out looking for just one guy.

“The big hit is all about timing and I just hope those moments come along. It is part of growing up for me to go up against those bigger guys and it’s a massive challenge.

“The French team are fantastic and they are huge men and there will be big collisions everywhere.

“My tackling technique is never that low — just below the forehead really! My mindset is really important going into any tackle and you have to really want to make it.”

Tuilagi was criticised by former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones for the way he scored against the All Blacks — sauntering over the line — but the Leicester centre denied he was arrogant.

“The New Zealand game was a magnificent performance from everyone and when I scored my try it was a case of just putting it down because I was out on my feet,” he said. “I was shocked and angry to hear Eddie Jones say it was disrespectful. He doesn’t know me.”

France certainly do and they go into this match without a win in their last five Six Nations contests, including four straight defeats. This is their poorest run in the tournament since losing six in a row between 1957 and 1958.

England’s only defeat by France in their last six championship contests was the 12-10 reverse in Paris in 2010 and these statistics will give Lancaster and his men some comfort as they head to Twickenham.

France are a much better balanced outfit now that Saint-Andre has picked players in their correct positions and ended his love affair with the flaky Frederic Michalak by restoring Francois Trinh-Duc at No10.

However, the outside-half will have to avoid the tackling power of Lawes, who can put a player out of the ­contest.

Morgan Parra, the French No9, had his shoulder dislocated by a Lawes tackle when playing for Bourgoin against Northampton in 2009.

In the 2011 World Cup match against Argentina, Lawes tackled former London Irish centre Gonzalo Tiesi so hard it dislocated a disc and put the player out for the rest of the season.

However, Lawes can get it wrong. After that World Cup game, he was banned for two matches for leading with the knee into Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma and a fortnight ago he had to leave the field in Dublin after getting his head in the wrong position making a tackle.

England cannot afford any ­mistakes or mistimed big hits tomorrow because France are equipped to end their poor run. However, I expect England to make home advantage count and continue their Grand Slam challenge.

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Key areas of the game

Set-piece

England have improved significantly at the scrum and will not be embarrassed by a big France pack, who are spearheaded by a useful front row. The line-out is an area where England will need to be outstanding and that is why Dylan Hartley is back to throw in.

Verdict: Scrum draw but England shade line-out.

Gain line

This battle is vital and expect France to use the driving maul off line-outs to make inroads while England will pick and go from the breakdown to stop the French defence going wide. Manu Tuilagi is the key ball carrier for England and Mathieu Bastareaud will try to do the same.

Verdict: French power tips the balance.

Last 20 minutes

England used their replacements to make a significant impact in Dublin but this time the bench looks less capable of doing that — particularly in the backs. The French replacement backs are even less impressive and do not constitute game changers. Danny Care can do that for England.

Verdict: Advantage England.

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