Where Eagles Dare or a Risky Business?

As Stuart Lancaster makes bold changes and demonstrates the essential qualities of the Head Coach of a National team, what will be some of the challenges facing the squad during the England v France Six Nations debut at the Stade de France on Saturday?

Having the luxury of choosing from quality English players, four different faces will appear in the starting backline including two uncapped players, Luther Burrell and Jack Nowell, along with Johnny May and 
Danny Care.

Two more uncapped players, George Ford and Anthony Watson, will tour as cover. Some people might think the bench is the more useful place for them to be?

There is no doubting that the pack that played against New Zealand at Twickenham last year, showed the flair, intelligence, speed, skill, team work and desire to succeed on the world stage. And that’s the crux; like New Zealand, you have to want it more than anything and perform in that vein, in every position on the pitch, but as one body, right to the end. Qualities, I think, displayed by Billy Vunipola and 
Billy Twelvetrees in that match, to name just two.

But understandably, where there are vulnerabilities, solutions must be found.

Firstly, the decision to omit Chris Ashton and Ben Youngs from the travelling squad was simply down to the great progress and brilliance of Jack Nowell and Danny Care, which Stuart Lancaster decided could not be ignored. Lancaster felt that the time was right to look at other options. A fair decision, in my opinion.

Having been fortunate enough to witness Luther Burrell’s rising form at Northampton Saints and tweeting championing his progress and abilities, I am thrilled that this skilful rising star has at last been given the chance he so rightly deserves. Hopefully, being in the unfamiliar position of outside center will not pose a problem for Burrell, as there will be another, very evident one and as in the words of Billy Twelvetrees,

‘You need to do everything as a center nowadays.

So what about ‘the other’ problem; the opposition?

The French coach Philippe Saint-André is no less deterred about making brave decisions as Jules Plisson will also make his debut; referring to the 22 year old Stade Françias No.10 as ‘young with great potential.’ But he is only one uncapped inclusion to the starting pack. Lancaster has taken the leap and included two.

Now let’s delve a bit deeper and look at the challenge facing Burrell in the form of his french counterpart, Mathieu Bastareaud. Labelled the chief danger man and also described as

‘Hewn from a mountain’ and

‘France’s human wrecking ball.’

What maketh this man?

He is an interesting person who has powered through set backs and morphed into a well balanced and personally gentle individual, now possessing clear understandings of how to achieve his goals…. and more.

Ironically, his inspiration is fuelled by his English team mate at Toulon, 
Johnny Wilkinson who as another left footer, is also helping him with his kicking game.

Should we be pleased for him or is the irony too much to bear?

Furthermore, he has adopted what he calls the ‘Anglo Saxon’ way.

“If we get something to 100 per cent, that is enough. We switch off, have a coffee, enjoy the moment. These guys, like Jonny, like Matt Giteau (the former Australian back), they reach their goal and then go for more.”

“It is not enough for them. They want to go beyond. That is the Anglo-Saxon way. That is now my way. I am more aware these days, more mature.”

“There are young kids coming through and we all want that shirt.”

Well there certainly are in the England squad.

Let’s hope England lead by example on Saturday. Let’s hope we witness this 
‘Anglo Saxon’ way from our own team, which has inspired the most dangerous man on the pitch ….. who plays for the opposition!

In the words of Chris Robshaw,

"To be successful you have to go to places like the Stade France - a tough environment with a hostile crowd - in a first-up encounter and hit the ground running. There can't be any room for error.”