2021 RLWC (A) Wk2 - ENG 42-18 FRA @ Bolton

[League Unlimited News]

England v France
University of Bolton Stadium, Horwich
Group A - Week 2

Timezone	Time	Day	Broadcaster
BST (UK, local)	5:00pm	Sat 22 Oct	BBC, RLWC App
CEST (Paris)	6:00pm	Sat 22 Oct	beIN Sports FR
AEST (QLD)	2:00am	Sun 23 Oct	Fox/Kayo
AEDT (NSW/VIC)	3:00am	Sun 23 Oct	Fox/Kayo

1. Sam Tomkins 14. Dominic Young 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Ryan Hall 6. Jack Welsby 7. George Williams 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Micky McIlorum 18. Chris Hill 11. Elliott Whitehead 12. John Bateman 13. Victor Radley
Interchange 10. Luke Thompson 22. Joe Batchelor 23. Mikolaj Oledzki 24. Kai Pearce-Paul
Reserves 19. Andy Ackers 21. Marc Sneyd

1. Morgan Escare 2. Arthur Romano 3. Samisoni Langi 4. Mathieu Laguerre 5. Fouad Yaha 6. Arthur Mourgue 7. Tony Gigot 8. Jordan Dezaria 9. Alrix Da Costa 10. Lambert Belmas 11. Benjamin Jullien 12. Paul Séguier 13. Benjamin Garcia
Interchange 14. Eloi Pelissier 15. Justin Sangare 17. Mickael Goudemand 19. Corentin Le Cam
Reserves 16. Gadwin Springer 23. César Rouge

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Match Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Sideline Officials: Liam Moore, Todd Smith
Video Referee: Robert Hicks

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Head to head
50 matches
England 41, France 7, Drawn 2

Last met
2021 Autumn International - Perpignan
England 30 France 10

 

[Irish-bulldog]

So anyone think France can keep this close ? At least make it a game ? I hope they can keep England under 40, score a few tries, would be a good result.

 

[Gobsmacked]

So anyone think France can keep this close ? At least make it a game ? I hope they can keep England under 40, score a few tries, would be a good result.

Yeah I agree. I'm hoping that the Samoa game wasn't just a flash in the pan for England though. I guess I'm hoping both sides play well.
The French need to pick up their intensity and ruck speed to match England .

 

[westerntiger]

Poor kid had to shake hands with Gerry Sutton

 

[Northern]

Dominant start from England. Too good for the French.

 

[Gobsmacked]

I can't stand when some idiot comes screaming out of the line basically guaranteed an English try.

 

[Northern]

Few flashes of play from France, but England looking very strong again.

 

[Pleb]

Poor defence from England on there line. We got a game now

 

[Gobsmacked]

France did very well to get back into the game and are growing in confidence and intensity.
If England scores early in the second half, I think they'll run away with it but if France can hold them for 20 minutes- it's game on.

 

[Northern]

France did very well to get back into the game and are growing in confidence and intensity.
If England scores early in the second half, I think they'll run away with it but if France can hold them for 20 minutes- it's game on.

Yep, first 10-15 minutes will most likely determine the outcome. Good on France for sticking in and hitting back once they got some opportunities.

 

[RedVee_8]

Ok, I missed Englands start period. But from what I did see, I think the French have improved. They aren’t in the top 3 or 4 Nations but I think they are better than I’ve seen in the last decade.
thoughts?


I recognise that it is rare for me to see them though.

 

[Irish-bulldog]

Ok, I missed Englands start period. But from what I did see, I think the French have improved. They aren’t in the top 3 or 4 Nations but I think they are better than I’ve seen in the last decade.
thoughts?


I recognise that it is rare for me to see them though.

Yeah actually better then I thought to be honest, they are gritty, the African French boys looked the best and most powerful to be honest, but they got monstered in the forwards in regards to field position.

they need to find a way to address that against the big Samoans, but it might actually be a decent game to see who makes the last 8, I’m cheering on France hard for the sake of the international game.

But I do think France has improved from 2017. just shows having regular teams in super league helps development, they need 2 permanent teams in super league.

 

[jim_57]

Ok, I missed Englands start period. But from what I did see, I think the French have improved. They aren’t in the top 3 or 4 Nations but I think they are better than I’ve seen in the last decade.
thoughts?


I recognise that it is rare for me to see them though.

With the limited chances we get it’s hard to tell, especially with so few games against Southern Hemisphere opponents. I’d argue that this result is better than their 30-10 loss to England last year with Super League only players. Also this year missing 2 of their best players Fages & Bosquet against a hot England team at home coming off 2 huge wins against Fiji & Samoa.

The game Vs Samoa will give us a good idea, I expect Samoa to win still but a France upset isn’t out of the question judging on other results.

 

[Irish-bulldog]

With the limited chances we get it’s hard to tell, especially with so few games against Southern Hemisphere opponents. I’d argue that this result is better than their 30-10 loss to England last year with Super League only players. Also this year missing 2 of their best players Fages & Bosquet against a hot England team at home coming off 2 huge wins against Fiji & Samoa.

The game Vs Samoa will give us a good idea, I expect Samoa to win still but a France upset isn’t out of the question judging on other results.

It’s key for France to start well, Samoans are flat track bullies, you let them get confidence in the first 25 mins, you won’t stop them, the French need ti come out of the blocks quick, if they can the ugly Samoans might show up.

 

[This Year?]

England played really well again. Radley adds some nice variations to the forwards plays. I can't wait to see how they go against Australia or New Zealand. One part where the French exploited them defensively was 3 or 4 in from either sideline. I'm not sure if that's because the English relaxed a bit after getting to 18-0 though. The French will vastly improve with a better kicking game. I love how much energy and enthusiasm they play with. Would have been nice if the margin was a bit closer.