French to give England stick

All the talk this week has been of the return to type of the England forwards after they dominated possession against Wales last week. Against France the forwards may try to do the same again but for different reasons as the England backline is short of experience and dare we say, class. England's back three were unemployed in the 62-5 victory against Wales until the last minutes when first Jason Robinson then Mathew Tait got on the scoreboard. No wonder David Strettle was so frustrated but reports that his broken foot came from kicking a wall out of anger this week are greatly exaggerated. Take these three out of the equation plus Jonny Wilkinson and the backline against France has experience but is untested and potentially weak. Nick Abendanon comes in at full-back and he will be trying his best to make up for an inauspicious debut in South Africa. On the wing Josh Lewsey returns but surely he been affected by all of Brian Ashton's tinkering of his best position so he may be lacking confidence. Paul Sackey is on the other wing and again has little experience to call on. Elsewhere Mike Catt returns to captain the side at centre, getting older by the day and lacking any real pace. He plays alongside pocket dynamo Jamie Noon who will always try his hardest in defence but lacks real attacking nous. Olly Barkley gets his chance at fly-half but you feel he has his eyes on making the 30 rather than a world cup starting slot. It all means that England have the sort of look that the Welsh XV did last week - tried and untested - and while the pack will ensure they don't get beaten in the way the Welsh were this team selection favours the French. Mind you the visitors bring with them their traditional frailities, espcially at fly-half where the preening Frederic Michalak returns. These two sides meet again next week in Marseilles and while England will give it a go at home you sense they don't have the strength in depth against a France side that are all in World Cup 30. Verdict: 1pt France to win by 6-10 points @ 11/2 (extrabet)