Gower: Huge task for England

Defence is crucial against France, says Italy fly-half

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 15th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gower: Huge task for England

Gower: Has warned England

Their counter-attack is very, very good and they've got great speed. England have got to be on top of their game to win that one.

Craig Gower
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Italy fly-half Craig Gower insists England will have to formulate the perfect defensive strategy if they are to deny France the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam.

The French edged closer to the tournament crown with a commanding 46-20 victory against the Azzurri at the Stade de France on Sunday, and a win against England next weekend will complete their first clean sweep since 2004.

Italy made Martin Johnson's men work for their win in Rome last month but were outclassed by in-form France in Paris, and Gower does not rate England's chances of derailing Les Bleus' Grand Slam bandwagon.

Weapons

"They have got so many strike weapons and England's defence has got to be perfect," said Gower.

"Their counter-attack is very, very good and they've got great speed. England have got to be on top of their game to win that one."

Centre David Marty replaced Mathieu Bastareaud in the starting line-up on Sunday and justified coach Marc Lievremont's selection by posting two tries in eight minutes, both while Italy were a man down with Gonzalo Garcia in the sin bin.

Winger Marc Andreu and flanker Alexandre Lapandry both scored debut tries for their country and, with Imanol Harinordoquy and Yannick Jauzion also going over while Morgan Parra kicked seven goals, the French were on course for a massive rout leading 46-6 after 65 minutes.

But the Azzurri staged a determined fight-back and managed to add some respectability to the score, with replacements Carlo Del Fava and Pablo Canavosio both touching down.

France defence coach Dave Ellis, who has worked with the national side for 10 years, says he sensed Les Bleus were on the brink of a massive performance after surviving a late scare against Wales in Cardiff.

Focused

"Ever since the Wales game, the players have been focused," said Ellis.

"There's a different attitude amongst the squad.

"There's a lot of young players who have never been involved in things that have gone on in the past and their concentration was very good.

"It was a long week but as the week went on it got better and better and I think for an hour of the game everything went to plan."