Imanol Harinordoquy: “Billy Twelvetrees’ vision is bigger threat than Tuilagi’s power”
According to Harinordoquy, with the exception of Twelvetrees, England are still shackled by predictability.
He told The Rugby Paper: “The most important player is Billy Twelvetrees, he offers something different from what England usually have.
“He’s a very good passer and doesn’t just rely on running hard. That is where the difference is compared to the rest of their team. He will be the player that France will have to watch out for. He has the vision that makes the rest of their team dangerous and if he gets going it will be difficult.
“They have shown so far that they are strong when they are going forward, but it wasn’t too different to what we’ve seen before. It’s what you expect from England, they play with power and try to win those one-on-one battles, after that they try a few more things.
“We know that to beat them it will need to be the same as it always is. If you win the physical battle, the rest comes. That applies to every game but to England in particular.”
Harinordoquy also warned that when it comes to Le Crunch, the formbook goes out of the window – as he knows only too well after the Grand Slam-chasing French were beaten by an English team at their lowest ebb in 2007.
“There is always a particular atmosphere when you take on England. It’s the most important game for us, even if it’s not necessarily the most important in terms of the tournament,” he added.
“It’s always an interesting one, even when England aren’t playing that well, or we aren’t, you can get yourself up for it. Often a team that is struggling can spring a surprise when it comes to an England v France.”
After England’s opening success over Scotland, Harinorodoquy tweeted that they were as boring as ever, and he revealed his English teammate at Biarritz Iain Balshaw has been getting his own back.
“I teased Iain a bit after the Scotland game, saying they were still boring,” said Harinordoquy, who is currently recovering from a knee operation.
“Unfortunately we then lost against Italy so he’s been getting his own back. The big one will be when we go to Twickenham.”
For that game, Stuart Lancaster must decide whether to keep Brad Barritt teamed with Twelvetrees or to recall Tuilagi.
Twelvetrees told The Rugby Paper: “Sport can be a fickle game. You’ve got to be grounded and have a bigger picture of it all. It’s just rugby at the end of the day.
“I’m in control of my own destiny in a way. If I work hard and do the right things in training and show to the coaches that I’m willing to get better and give something to the team, then hopefully they can pick me.
“It’s been a great start. I’m thoroughly enjoying being involved in the squad and in the team. It’s been very nice to step up and have that 12 shirt.
“I’ve relished it and really enjoyed it. In the England squad you work hard for each other and I think that honesty shows on and off the pitch.”
PAUL EDDISON
