WE'LL PACK A PUNCH IN LE CRUNCH

Borthwick knows his Red Rose fighters must be at their tactical best to KO the French heavyweights

-  ADAM HATHAWAY

STEVE  BORTHWICK has urged his side to take the next step up and land a knockout punch tomorrow on heavyweight France.

Written off against Ireland last weekend, England made a huge leap forward with their 23-22 win over the Grand Slam chasers, but have to back it up in Lyon.

A victory would make it four wins in the Six Nations for the first time since the Covidafflicted tournament in 2020 and show real signs of progress.

But in round four last year, the French humiliated England 53-10 at Twickenham and looked back in business with their 45-24 win in Wales on Sunday.

At the end of that game, the French bench had swollen the weight of their pack to around a 1,000kg as they put the squeeze on the Welsh.

And head coach Borthwick (above, right) has told his side to use their brains and brawn to get past Fabien Galthie's men and build on the Ireland shock.

"That was one step at the weekend, it was an important step. This weekend we intend to take another step in that direction," said Borthwick.