England have been waiting for France – it’s time to let the handbrake off

T his already has the feel of a vintage Six Nations season and the next two weekends could be similarly memorable. Even at a grey, deserted Twickenham, as England’s players huddled tight in their final eve-of-game training session, there was a sense of anticipation in the chilly air. If France are to win a championship game in London for the first time since 2005 they are going to have to earn it.

Because, in all sorts of ways, this is a game England have been waiting for. The frantic early weeks of Steve Borthwick’s regime have been replaced by a more calculated, purposeful vibe. If they cannot beat the second highest-ranked team in the world, so be it. But at the very least they want to give it a proper go and, in doing so, give everyone a glimpse of what a more proactive future could look like.

It is a while since England last played with their mental handbrake fully off. Under Eddie Jones there was limited freedom and increasingly little clarity. Now there is only the present to worry about and nothing much to lose. Borthwick’s squad could, theoretically, still win this season’s title but the first priority is to make the absolute most of their last full-bore home fixture before this year’s World Cup.

The keynote selection of Marcus Smith at No 10, with Owen Farrell dropping to the bench for the first time in his Six Nations career, has underlined that intent. On a potentially drizzly, cold evening against a side who like to kick long, Farrell would previously have been a banker to start. This time England will be keener to keep the ball in play and, whilst not expecting all the fireworks to come from one man alone, are backing Smith to ignite the blue touchpaper.

If that rings a slight Anglo-French bell, there are