From the touchlines: Regan ready

From the Touchlines went to England's training base in Bath yesterday (Wednesday) and found the forwards smarting for a fight in Paris...

England hooker Mark Regan has given some indication of what to expect when England take on France at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night. Ahead of the game, he was his usual understated self, telling reporters he was planning to be his "usual horrible self". Regan also warned France had picked a "front five for a fight" and that England would be up to the challenge.

It'll be intriguing to see what'll happen. Most recently, England easily won the front five battle between the two sides when they last met in Paris in the World Cup semi-final and the likes of Regan will be relishing the chance for a repeat. If France had any sense, they'd get the ball out to their talented young backs as quickly as possible, taking the attack to England in an area where they've clearly got the edge.

Can England win the match solely with that front-five platform and bullying France out of the game? We want to hear your views...

Comments

[Steve]

As I said, keep moaning and you will be right eventually, as for now Jonny you are an idiot.

Jez - top man, spot on.

[ian.]

.im english and want england to win on sat night. it,s a big ask but not impossible, our players are as good as any nation in world rugby even mighty wales with all there flair players!. maybe if we got behind them and stop knocking them... well who knows they might enjoy turning out for there country again. as for one mistake and your out, does that count for all the coatches and top man? we need a set up well ... hate to say it like wales top 3 that is just a dream at the mo for england. anyway im going with my heart again... england to win and if they don,t well i,ll go with my heart again in there next match. cause im english and proud.

[Brian Simpson]

england are struggling and I feel sick to the stomach with nerves about this weekened. i hpe the nerves are unjustified.

[Slats]

Any chance we could get away from the schoolground fighting and get back to what this is for.... rugby chat?!?

For what it's worth I genuinely think England will win the battle of the front five and will repeatedly put Jonny Wilkinson in a position to kick the goals and keep England in the game.

But despite that and England's good defence, I sadly can't see it'll be enough to stop France's electric backs, who are playing at home and playing like they've got absolutely nothing to lose.

So I'd say France to win 25-18, with England's points all coming from Jonny and France's mostly coming from tries.

[SimonS]

England fans have got to be the most pathetic around. They're happy to dish out the criticism to other sides when they're floundering but, turn on them, and they get abusive.

Can't wait to see the English come back with their tails between their legs after a mauling by the French. Would teach everyone a lesson - that England aren't world beaters anymore.

[Brian]

Thank you Steve, - Jonny, I guess you are **nker. Go and kiss your Mum.

[Steve]

Heard all the moaning before. I'm sure you will be right eventually. World Cup Winners, World Cup Finalists - guess which sport this relates to.

[BathBonanza]

There's absolutely no way the French will struggle against England's front five again. For one, they learnt their mistake in the World Cup and also they've picked an equally combative front five that'll be as capable if not more of riling Regan than the Bristol boy is himself.

I have absolutely no idea what plans Ashton has up his sleeves, neither does he probably! They'll just have to hope Mike Ford has done his homework as defence coach and they hold out wave after wave of French attack as much as possible and just pray that Jonny's boot keeps them in it. Stranger things have happened...

[Jez]

I personally like it when everyone writes off England. It normally ends up with them pulling a shock win out of the bag. Watch out France.

[Jonny]

FRANCE 60, ENGLAND 0!!!!!

[Harry Sendip]

It's a shame as Ashton should be looking ahead but I expect England to go back to basics and do what they do best. Keep possession in the pack, outmuscle the French in the scrums and basically being all-fighting. It won't be pretty but it's the only shot of winning the game.

[Tim Bowdler]

i'm sure regan's only prolonged his career by generally being a pain in the arse. He's just loud, brash and confrontational but, if you pick at his game, you'll realise he's not all that. he embarrassingly nurses a beer gut which is a no, no in international rugby, his technical expertise isn't what it once was and he's slow in comparison to his peers. I expect the french guy, dimitri what's his name to run rings around him.