The clarion call from England's training camp indicated that another fierce instalment of the Anglo-French rivalry that has generated 20 wars through history is in the offing at Twickenham tomorrow.
Defence coach Paul Gustard primed his men for battle at a defence session by listing all the skirmishes that have taken place on various fields down the centuries, stressing the notion that France never cede ground easily. Head coach Eddie Jones has braced his squad accordingly.
![On course to make history: Eddie Jones.](/web/20170204003340im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/4/i/z/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu4h7w.png/1486075165751.jpg)
"There is a lot of rivalry there, 20 wars between the countries and there is another one happening on Saturday," said Jones, confident that his team are equipped to deal with the physicality of the occasion.
"If you need to talk to them about physicality then they are in the wrong sport. And our boys are not in the wrong sport. If they don't want contact, then they should be playing volleyball. It's like going down the coalmines every day. You go out and do the job. And our boys will do the business."
There are five changes to the starting line-up for the opening game in the defence of England's Grand Slam title, with the notable selections of Joe Launchbury for the injured George Kruis, Maro Itoje switching to blindside flanker and Elliot Daly getting the nod over Jack Nowell.
The Exeter winger drops to the replacements to form part of what Jones believes to be "the strongest bench" in world rugby. Victory over France would extend England's winning run to 15 Tests (with 14 of those victories coming under Jones) to make them the most successful side in English history.
Jones is constantly on guard against complacency and was quick to jump on a player this week who piped up that they were aware of that particular milestone.
"Complacency is not like a fungus that you can get rid of with a spray," said Jones. "It is always there. Look at Arsenal the other night, second in the table against a side that had not won for seven matches and they concede goals. If we start like that against France, we are in real trouble."
Jones has even taken to moving the squad out of their Pennyhill Park base for one or two nights before the game, not just to be nearer Twickenham but to mix up their routines and get used to adapting to any circumstance.
There is no sense that any of his squad are getting ahead of themselves, their down-to-earth attitude the antithesis of the usual lazy stereotype of 'arrogant' England.
"The last thing I find the English to be is arrogant," said Jones. "If anything, the English are very reserved. We want our players to be more forthright." Jim Telfer was certainly that this week, the former Scotland coach pepper-spraying Jones and the pompous attitude of the Twickenham crowd.
"Jim can say what he likes about me but what he says about the Twickenham crowd is absolutely ridiculous," said Jones. "If he doesn't like it there, don't come."
The Australian has never been averse to trying to turn the tables on the opposition and while praising the uplift in mood if not fortunes that his opposite number, Guy Noves, has brought about with France, Jones was not slow to wonder if their ability to play the more liberated game he wants might create its own stresses.
"France are the biggest offloaders of any team but there is a pressure now for them to play with French flair and when you are expected to do something it can be difficult to do," said Jones.
England have shown that they are capable of playing what is in front of them even though Jones has stressed time and again that their primary objectives are to have a dominant set-piece and resolute defence.
To lose four players from their Grand Slam pack might undo many a team but Jones is confident that Joe Marler and Dylan Hartley are fully ready to go despite recent lay-offs and that the decision to switch Saracens lock Maro Itoje to fill the gap left by the injured Chris Robshaw, who has been ruled out of the entire championship.
"Maro has got big shoes to fill," said Jones. "He has got athletic ability, a reasonable sense of the ball and is a great defender which is what we want from our No.6.
"We are set up for a ball-carrier at No.8, a seven who is a work-rate player and a six who is a great defender. He should make a really good fist of it."
Jones also insisted that the surprise selection of Daly at left wing over the in-form Nowell had nothing to do with the latter's return home in midweek for personal reasons. "Elliot did superbly for us in the autumn. He has a big left foot, has genuine pace and can play third centre for us. The way we want to attack France, that's going to be important for us. Jack's absence had nothing to do with selection. It is horses for courses."
The scene is set, the battlefield awaits.
The Telegraph, London
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