By Richard Cowley, Date: 2/11/12
The 3rd match of the Autumn International takes place on Saturday in Hull with England looking to get one up on France ahead of next weeks final. Both teams have already defeated Wales knocking them out of contention for the final.
The underdogs France will need to be at their best to keep pace with England and restore some credibility to the tournament after England thrashed Wales 80 – 12 last week. England have recalled Tomkins and Briscoe and in many ways it will be a Catalans Dragons team minus a few players taking on the best of England.
Both teams will be playing again next week in the final. It will be up to the French to save the Autumn International Series. They need to bring their best game to Hull on Saturday. French fans have been waiting for some time for France to return back to the glory days when they took on and beat the best nations in the World.
Lets hope tomorrow’s game is a cracker and the final next week will be one worth tuning into.
England Squad: C Ablett (Leeds), T Briscoe (Hull), R Burrow (Leeds), J Charnley (Wigan), L Cudjoe (Huddersfield), G Ellis (Hull), R Hall (Leeds), Z Hardaker (Leeds), B Harrison (Warrington), C Hill (Warrington), G Hock (Wigan), J Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), M McIlorum (Wigan), A Morley (Warrington), L Mossop (Wigan), R Myler (Warrington), K Sinfield (Leeds, capt), S Tomkins (Wigan), K Watkins (Leeds).
French Squad: (Still to be confirmed) J Baitieri (Catalans), W Barthau (Catalan), K Bentley (Pia), T Bosc (Catalan) R Casty (Catalan,) V Duport (Catalan), O Elima (Bradford), D Ferriol (Catalan) T Gigot (Avignon), M Griffi (Lezignan) K Larroyer (Catalan), A Maria (Catalan), G Mounis (Catalan), M Pala (Catalan), E Pelissier (Catalan), S Raguin (Catalan), S Mickael (Catalan), C Soubeyras (Pia), C Stacul (Catalan).
Autumn International Series Results
Game 1: 20th October – France 20 – Wales 6, Lens, France
Game 2: 27th October – Wales 12 v England 80, Glyndwr University Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales
Game 3: 3rd November – England v France, MS3 Craven Park, Hull, England
Final: 11th November – Salford City Stadium, England
