Grand Slam beckons for France, another inquest for England – 5 talking points

England and France will bring the 2022 Guinness Six Nations to a close when they meet in Paris on Saturday.

Here, the PA news agency examines five talking points as France stand on the brink of securing their first silverware for over a decade.

Another inquest into Eddie Jones’ flailing England project beckons if they are dispatched in Paris, as seems likely. A third-place finish is the best his team can hope for, while the bleakest scenario is to end up fifth for the second year running. Jones is aware that the stakes are high, admitting that “we need results” in a departure from his usual stance on demanding he is judged on the World Cup alone. Yet, if England again collapse to an unacceptable third defeat of the tournament, history suggests the Rugby Football Union is unlikely to act beyond conducting a review.

If Jones’ selection gamble backfires spectacularly, even the RFU might shed its reluctance to consider the previously unthinkable. Two full-backs have been deployed in the back three in George Furbank and Freddie Steward, a call that reflects France’s status as the highest kicking team in the tournament by an average of 771 metres per match. And, with Ben Youngs restored at scrum-half, the intention is clearly to engage in a battle of the skies. England’s attack has floundered all tournament and, given this reactionary tactical rethink, it is unlikely to finally detonate in Paris.

Despite the scattergun approach to selection as typified by the recall of Furbank for his first appearance of the tournament, Jones’ side are united and possess an abundance of spirit. The courageous defiance displayed against Ireland in round four when they played all but 82 seconds with 14 men following the dismissal of Charlie