Lawes back as England make changes

The footage used would be from the same source but I would imagine the commentary and pre game show would be french and done a lot better.

Just out of interest the coverage of the top 14 we get in Australia is this the same as what they get in France?. It's really B grade for what is considered one of the strongest Domestic rugby comps.

didnt recall the Bourgoin v saints game tbh, and i hope Parra doesnt either! Samson is just too light at this level imo, plus he isnt an agressive player. I would have kept Suta perso, as i think Szarzewski was the main culprit with his throws. dont really understand why PSA changes the hooker AND a lock tbh. I think the 2nd row is again the weakness in french rugby with only 2 goods locks in maestri and pape. my guess is that PSA thinks Samson is going to bring more mobility and will ask him to play more like a 4-6, i.e. have a few bursts from the ruck, dunno really. Nyanga has been named the lineout leader which really shows where we stand in this area. eurosport Oz shows less and less top 14 this season so its really hard to follow who does what at club level this year (castres v toulon right now but basket on)

Maybe I've overstated the case with Parra, but I was thinking of when Lawes smashed him in that Saints v Bourgoin match. With Lawes now on the flank Parra might be much more conscious of what's going on around the fringes of the ruck. I like Claassen, but I think he should start or not be on the bench. I don't think that PSA has realised the value of impact substitutes. Forestier IMO is a far better impact player than Debaty, for example. Likewise Szarzewski is better off the bench than Kayser. What do you make of Samson?

Fair call. I think Parra will be pumped up as he didn't take it well to be dropped for Machenaud. That's his chance to prove PSA he was wrong. I dont see him as a fragile player tbh. But agree about TD and Bastareaud, don't think they are as tough mentally. Would love to see Claassen make his debut. Saw an interview of him this week and he is ready to wear the blue jersey. Seems like a top lad really. Am still sceptical about Dusautoir as he isn't the player he used to be and think our bac row is going to suffer against yours. But they are a few good match ups and there could be some sparks at the ruck.

Tough game to call this. On one hand the French 6N is effectively over, so they have nothing to lose, which can be quite liberating. Equally, they're playing away from France, the French media, and a jeering home crowd. On the other hand, the English have everything to play for and they have some ferocious competitors in players like Brown, Tuilagi, Barritt, Farrell, Wood, Robshaw etc. I just don't see this as being the sort of team where heads will drop, whereas I can see players like Parra, Trinh-Duc and Bastareud really crumbling if things don't go there way. The France XV looks far more balanced than recent weeks, but it's a side starting its first game together, unlike the England team. Re: England I think Hartley is a necessary change, as is Tuilagi, and IMO the side looks the strongest yet - albeit I'd rather Wood wasn't playing 8. Another thing is that although this is a talented looking French side, any side coached by PSA is only going to play one way. I can't see the French cutting loose even if they build up a head of steam. In terms of results I can imagine Lawes putting in some hits on the half-backs (as he did on Parra a few seasons ago) and it being game over. However, I also wouldn't be surprised to see France win as they have some outstanding players, but if they do I think it will be through the boot of Parra, or England will romp home like they did a few seasons ago under Martin Johnson (2009?).

Tuilagi vs Bastareaud had to happen and everyone is waiting to see who will still be on his feet when/if they meet on the pitch. I am surprised by the selection of Lawes in the back row but he did look like a very mobile lock and the kind of guy who loves spending time at the ruck so i think Lancaster is doing well and most french would think 'oh no, not him' rather than high five each other. Looks like a big, heavy strong pack. they clearly have the weight advantage over the french there. I would like to believe that Fofana back at 12 will make a big difference but am not holding my breath. Same with Nyanga, i think he is the best flanker in french rugby at the moment so good to have him back. @theroar; would have been nice to have a little article about the 6N and the other teams/match ups of the w-e, especially on a England vs France w-e. I love SR but 6N isnt bad either.

Hardly mate. He's made the changes with Morgan & Haskell through injury & illness respectively and let's face it, Lawes isn't exactly a slouch ball in hand. Youngs had a bit of a mare throwing in against the Irish which probably goes some way to explaining Hartley. With seven changes, I think it's the French who are worried, don't you.

I think it's very debatable to call Tom Youngs as one of England's two best ball carriers. And what of Tuilagi? James Haskell has had flu-symptoms all week, the French lineout is statistically the best in the 6N, Lawes has a club relationship with Hartley, and he is the sort of player the French don't like to play against. I don't think he's a 6 by any stretch of the imagination, but with France lacking a proper ball pilferer and bringing in having carriers like Domingo, Picamoles and Bastareaud I think this selection makes sense. I know it's a stereotype, but if the French see the big men getting knocked back they won't want to know. This current side has shown no mental resolve during this 6N.

This is an odd selection. The England pack is now without its two best ball carriers - Youngs and Morgan - and Lancaster has selected in their stead two players - Hartley and Lawes - who haven't exactly set the world alight for Northampton. Presumably Lancaster is worried about the French set-piece but whatever happened to his mantra of focusing on one's own game and being proactive rather than reactive? This looks like a team picked to counteract the French rather than to impose England's own game upon the French.