That's the strongest French side I can remember. Shame Rinaldi isn't involved, does anyone know the reason for this?

Retired from International footy a couple of seasons ago

Yes indeed Sanj but I'm not so sure about Mounis at hooker when you have Pellisier & Bentley on the bench?

What's everyones prediction?, The inexperience of England against a strong French squad with a very good pack, I've backed France +26 @ Evs & 12/1 to win the game.

seems a weird choice but maybe BG wants to 'save' Eloi for the Avignon game and just give him a run out in the first game ? Eloi would be first choice for most people I would imagine ?

I'm not sure about that SJ, most likely for me is he wants Mounis in there at first so KB or Eloi can come on to add sharpness at the ruck after 20 mins. Mounis can then rotate in the back row with the others.

Funny that for the 1st time i remember France have a decent halves combo and 2 hookers, yet their both 9's are on the bench!

One other option is that Greseque, who is part time and very likely to be targeted in defence could be spelled so kane or eloi could drop in at 7

no chance I cant look past an england win. the only real comparison you can make is the England A game at leeds a few years back, 26-10 England IIRC.

I don't understand why some people are against this fixture.
With this game in point its an excellent chance for the French to get a competitive game against an England side. I don't think they will beat the knights here and next week in Avignon their likely to get thrashed.

This game from an England perspective gives some players outside the main group a chance to experience an International camp too.

you have to take your hat off to Robinson and the backroom boys for bringing Eloi on so much this season - he started as an almost 'scrawny' kid but visibly bulked out to add that toughness & strength to his game - reminds me a lot of the young Luke Robinson for some reason ? He will have learned a lot from Hendo...

France are 12-1?

Really?

If they are i'm lumping on that!

Yeah mate i couldn't believe that type of value myself!, Best you can get now is 11/1.

theres some value in +26 but none whatsoever in the FT result.

I've lumped on France, only got 24 though, put a small bet on France to win, could only get 9-1 though.

preview catalan.rlfans.com/readarticle.p ... cle_id=913 I'm off to the game now, try and update you the score off our kid's fancy IPhone thing.

preview catalan.rlfans.com/readarticle.p ... cle_id=913 I'm off to the game now, try and update you the score off our kid's fancy IPhone thing.

Quote ="marvwoodburn"preview catalan.rlfans.com/readarticle.p ... cle_id=913 I'm off to the game now, try and update you the score off our kid's fancy IPhone thing.'" cheers marv,have a good game

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Does anyone have a radio link for this game. Cheers

Sud radio in French if it helps

thanks phil

Updates on twitter @marvwoodburn

Between the union commentary & ad breaks we might be lucky to get 30min of game coverage!

It's better than nothing..

But I think nothing is better.

Sky sports reports that BG has offered to stand down

can't see the point personally - not at the moment anyway,after the Scotland game maybe

the french international game needs a serious re-think as it has some excellent players available who should be doing better - a bit like Wigan during the Noble reign....Maguire basically took the same players and made them into a title winning side...

BG is back

revoked on his decision

a temporary stay of execution maybe,Dave ?