Battle-weary France face young England in Le Crunch

It’s billed as Le Crunch on both sides of the channel. And for a while it was the key fixture in the Six Nations. In the nineties and up to 2003, who won the clash between England and France tended to win the championship.

But the emergence of Ireland, grand slam winners in 2009, and Wales, grand slam winners in 2005 and 2008, as genuine world powers, has diminished the match’s influence over the ultimate division of the spoils.

And yet Sunday’s re-enactment of Agincourt promises a fascinating encounter, even if the match is shorn of the winner-takes-all stakes of previous years.

Traditionally it is a battle of French flair and English force – billed sometimes as Inspector Maigret against PC Plod. But France, under a new coach, are trying to become more pragmatic; England, under a new coach, are trying to score more tries.

And then there’s the issue of who will win. At the beginning of the tournament France were heavy favourites for the championship. But they’ve stuttered so far, and the draw last week against Ireland at home showed a fragility which will have boosted England’s confidence.

France, under a new coach, are trying to become more pragmatic; England, under a new coach, are trying to score more tries.

And they are playing their third game in as many weeks. International rugby is not a sport that lends itself to minimal R&R.

But France are still unbeaten. England aren’t, And it is impossible to ignore how young a side they are. Against Wales a fortnight ago almost half were playing their first-ever international at Twickenham. Hardly any have ever played in the brain-scrambling washing machine that is the Stade de France.

England’s fly-half, Owen Farrell, is a supremely talented 20-year-old. But he doesn’t even play in that position for his club. Against a side who recently reached the World Cup final, they could simply crumble.

And as an ongoing sideshow, England are looking for a permanent coach. Stuart Lancaster, the present incumbent, has the job for now and is being interviewed for the full time post – perhaps as we speak. The leading candidate, Jake White, has today pulled out via twitter.

The new Rugby Football Union boss Ian Ritchie told Channel 4 News a new coach will be in place by the end of next week. Will this recruitment saga sag morale in the England camp?

Maybe the winner will not win the championship, although its still possible. But equally, it could mark the arrival of a new generation of red-rosed stars, or lose Stuart Lancaster his job, or perhaps finally see France marry prose to poetry. Indeed, a contest worthily billed as Le Crunch.

Read more: Ben Monro-Davies writes on rugby and golf for Channel 4 News