French expecting English backlash in Paris

English-based French rugby exiles Thomas Castaignede, Raphael Ibanez and Olivier Magne are expecting an England backlash at the Stade de France on Sunday.

They have no intention, however, of paying the price for the world champions' defeat at Murrayfield which left the Six Nations championship wide open.

England, France, Ireland and Scotland are all level on four points after two wins and a defeat each.

"It's a highly motivated England team that will come to Paris," said hooker Ibanez, who plays club rugby with the London Wasps alongside England's Josh Lewsey, Matt Dawson, Joe Worsley and Lawrence Dallaglio.

"They know that like us they can still win the championship but that a defeat could wreck all their hopes," he added at the team's training centre in Marcoussis south of Paris on Tuesday.

"I think that this time their motivation is not against France. They are furious with themselves and it will make them even more dangerous but we are not going to stand by and pay the price for their defeat."

Flanker Magne, who joined the London Irish at the start of the season, also said the England players were "very disappointed after their defeat in Scotland.

"They are up in arms and for them it's unimaginable to lose two games in a row because they would lose the championship for the second year in a row," he said.

Thomas Castaignede said he warned his teammates not to take England's defeat at Murrayfield as a good omen.

"We are two convalescent sides recovering from a bout of Scottish flu and two sides who still have a chance of winning the championship as long as they don't lose," said the Saracens back, one of the first French players to join an English club.

"A lot of things have changed since I played my first Six Nations match against England ten years ago but one thing hasn't changed: The English will fight until the last minute to save their pride," he added.

Ibanez said he was looking forward to "a pack battle of the greatest intensity.

"We know what to expect, they will charge at us with all their power, playing a simple and direct game. Their front rowers weigh more than 110 kilos and they are no fat cows but very strong guys," the hooker said.

Magne added that even if "the France v England games have been the rendezvous of the championship for many years, Sunday's match will have a special flavour" for him.

"It will be my first since I crossed the channel and all the London Irish people want France to beat England," he said.

"If we lose, they will not be pleased and will take the mickey out of me."

- REUTERS