England/GB have usually had a pack which can compete.

But for only 60 minutes.

It's the remaining 20 minutes which is the worry.

I wpouldn't be too critical of England's performance considering this was a warm up match with several newcomers. I am please the Frogs gave us a tough physical game and I thought on the whole our defence was good. Sure there were too many errors but best get them out of the way in a game of no importance.

I thought our most creative players were Roby, Graham, Sinfield and Chase the first three made a big effort in defence. I wouldn't drop Sinfield neither would I drop JJB or Wilkin. They made a few errors but they were as good as Westwood and as both have good stamina and are good all round rugby players who can cover for several positions. I am not sure how long JJB was on but I think he offers more to be on from the start rather than as an impact player.

True, but have a good feeling this year. Ellis & Westwood is as good a 2nd row as you'll find, Roby's form is spot on and the props are going well. Just a shame Burgess isnt at 13. Its more in hope rhan expectation but I think we've got a chance - which is more than in previous years

I fully agree Yeamon and Briscoe should be the left centre-wing partnership for England, but I'd hazard a guess that Ablett and Hall must have got pretty close to their 39.

I don't know how you can say anything about his defence. Imo his is better than halls and the only thing I think hall has over briscoe is height when defusing kicks but he's improved on this greatly. Seems as though he's a Leeds player so he's the better of the two.

Yes, Hall is a better winger. No doubt. I guess you've watched Briscoe more often than me this season so i'll take your word on it that his defence has improved sufficiently.

It's a sad state of affairs when the apparent best English starting half back combination is an inspirational at club level but deadly slow, incapable of making a break ageing loose forward ....and a kiwi who wouldn't make the NZ national side and has been "English" for just a few days only Sheesh !

As for those trumpeting the barmy idea of promoting Ablett to international centre status....are we truly that desperate ?

Hall was on the wrong wing. If it weren't for his errors in the GF, I'd go for BJB on the right - he has at least played there.

It was nice to see a couple of the French have good games. Pala (?) ran right round Reed and Hall at one point, and Pelisser (sp) looked really sharp.

For me England's timing was off and making wholesale changes isn't going to improve that. I'd consider playing the same side next week except with an extra prop on the bench instead of Wilkin or JJB. Hopefully England can build on this game next week and improve against Wales, and try and peak the week after.

This. I would be wary of making more changes. That looked, on paper, about as good a side as could have been selected to me, if the side can remain pretty stable for a couple of weeks and get used to playing together, that's the best way to improve what is, in essence, a scratch side at this point.

Thing is, the whole idea of introducing the ETS (Elite Training Squad) was that the players would spend more time together during the year, work on combinations etc. Then you introduce a handful of players from outside the ETS, switch people into positions they haven't played in a while and wonder why it all looks like it was put together on the bus to the ground.

That said, I suspect this England side will look much better with some genuine opposition - and the French (ten minute bit of bluster in the second half when the cues were already on the rack aside) aren't going to provide that either now or for the foreseeable.

I agree. But even if they'd all been in the ETS all year, there's no real substitute for playing matches is there? If they keep some stability and get through yesterday and the Wales match in one piece they'll be much the better for the big games. We'll need to be a cohesive unit to at least give the Aussies some sort of run for their money at Wembley.

i agree.

Nah...get Kirke in (three successive Leeds' coaches can't be wrong)