France coach slams England

Ian Chadband|Evening Standard|In Adelaide

13 April 2012

France became the first team to stick the boot into England after their World Cup scare against Samoa by comparing their backs to a slow "diesel car".

The tournament has been notable so far for the amount of criticism England have fielded from other teams and the Australian media in an attempt to undermine their challenge.

Now the French, who England are scheduled to meet in the semi-finals, have waded in following yesterday's disappointing performance against the Pacific Islanders.

As well as attacking England's leaden-footed backs they also claimed that Jonny Wilkinson was vulnerable under pressure.

"The way they lost their composure is good news for all the other teams and particularly for us," said French assistant coach Jacques Brunel.

"Their backs are powerful runners but apart from Jason Robinson they lack speed on the burst. They are more like diesel cars, really. The Samoans defended very well, moved forward quickly, cutting Wilkinson from his outside players. He doesn't like that, as we found out when we beat England last year.

"In the first 20 minutes, England were shocked to the point of being destabilised and they only came out on top when the Samoans tired."

England's defence against the French charge was led by Will Greenwood, who rejoined the squad today after spending a week in London with his pregnant wife, Caro.

Greenwood said: "We agreed before the World Cup that Test matches aren't won in the media and we will keep our heads down. We're not the flashiest side in the world and we're happy to grind out victories when necessary and, quite honestly, you can call us a tractor and we wouldn't be bothered."

But England captain Martin Johnson admitted he would read the riot act to his players after the 35-22 win. "We need to have a look at ourselves and get ourselves sorted out," he said.

Greenwood's wife has had an operation which allowed her to be moved on to a normal ward at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital after a period in intensive care.

"The hospital staff have been fantastic," Greenwood said today. "Caro will remain in hospital and when the Cup is over and I return home, maybe they will let her come out.

"Of course you wonder if you will be going back to Australia having travelled home and that's quite natural. But we're all delighted with the progress Caro has made."

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France coach slams England

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