England look to go back to the future

Backline will play pivotal role in deciding Le Crunch’ against free-flowing French

- Nick Purewal

FRANCE might be famed for their classic desire to attack from anywhere, but that "jouer rugby" attitude boasts a new dimension rooted in football's blueprint to beat the high press.

When Les Bleus throw a wide pass out of the back door in their own 22 tomorrow, or punt a cross-field kick to the wing from their own line, they will throw caution to the wind.

As global elite soccer will pass out from the back to break the likes of Ralf Rangnick's Gegenpress and Jurgen Klopp's heavy metal football, so rugby now, too, looks ready to follow suit.

Test rugby defences are so sophisticated and robust that at times the most space to attack a rearguard set-up is from a team's own 22. A defending team must prepare for the standard 22 exit strategy of a deep punt into space or a touch-finder, and that often means leaving as many as three players in the back field. That, in turn, creates more space in the front defensive line than will be the case when closing in on the opponent's whitewash.

John Barnes had football's World in Motion with his rap to 'get round the back' as long ago as Italia 90, and rugby has its equivalent message in attacking from deep. Break a team's defensive set-up, force your way behind the gainline to turn the opponent and, provided you keep momentum and do not make mistakes, a try-scoring chance is likely to come your way.