"He's a sort of Genius" - France head coach Fabien Galthie identifies Marcus Smith as England's danger-man for Six Nations match

Galthie expressed how he sees Smith as 'a sort of genius', and backs the 25-year-old to have the skillset to adapt to the change of position. The upcoming installment of 'Le Crunch' will be only the fifth time that Smith has started a match at fullback, with England head coach Steve Borthwick utilising a tactic that he first trialed at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"He’s a unique player for the English. He’s a sort of genius." Gakthie said. "He’s an unparalleled attacker capable of changing a game with a sidestep, an acceleration, a drop kick, a pass. I’m not the England coach, but the question they must be asking is how can we use his potential as best as possible for the team? There’s a debate. He started at 10 then they brought on Fin Smith against Ireland at the end of the game.

"We’ll see this afternoon and then we’ll have an idea of how they’ll play. Will he be first-receiver or second, will he be on the right or left, knowing Slade is left-footed, knowing the English love to kick all across the field. For us, it won’t impact on our preparation and our strategic decisions."

France arrive at the Allianz Stadium two years on from an infamous day in the history of English rugby. The 2023 meeting between England and France witnessed the heaviest ever home defeat for England, as Galthie's side racked up an unforgettable 53-10 win. Galthie expects England to be immensely fired up for the fight, just as Steve Borthwick's side were in the 2024 nail-biter, that was decided by Thomas Ramos' last minute penalty in the Stade de France.

"Two years ago we had a strategy, that was very clear. I’m not talking about a game plan, because today in rugby it doesn’t exist, we had a strategy, a path. This year we have a identified strategy and path which is key for travelling to Twickenham. We’ve studied them.

"They’re a team that despite not having the results they wished for, have always been close to victory. They beat Ireland at home, you can’t forget that, last year with a Marcus Smith drop goal. They’re a team that fights. They’re often close, they hit the post against New Zealand, against Australia they led until the last play. In Ireland they led at half-time. They’re one of the best teams in the world. They will propose something unique. You could say they are going to be fierce."

"Every match is hostile, ferocious, tight, notably against the Welsh. The second match will be the same thing in a different stadium. Twickenham is quite a mythical stadium. It represents England and its rugby, ferocious, physical, ambitious, which was on top at one stage and once again wants to dominate European and world rugby.

"Things move quickly in our sport. Wales won the Six Nations in 2021, the English won the Six Nations in 2020, they won it a lot under Eddie Jones. They’re a team that has the potential to return to what they once were. They’re not far. All our games are Test matches, on the road to 2027 (Rugby World Cup)."

Galthie has made a significant change to his squad, with a new fly half named for the second round of the 2025 Six Nations. Galthie has adjusted his side to deal with Romain Ntamack's suspension, as the halfback was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Wales' Ben Thomas, in the opening round victory last Friday.

Galthie has picked Matthieu Jalibert to lead his back-line, with the Bordeaux-Begles man freshly back in the squad following an injury. Despite the possibility of Jalibert not being back to his full fitness, Galthie is hopeful that the 26-year-old will lead in a solid performance at the Allianz Stadium. Speaking via an English translation in this week's France squad announcement, Galthie said;

"We work on a daily basis following the players’ form, the combinations and the players’ competences in relation to the opposition. Once we saw Romain Ntamack’s red card, we started to work with the staff the same night, from that moment, Matthieu Jalibert came clear. The answer to question was found quickly. It’s obvious, it’s coherent, it’s logical.

"Starting Matthieu is coherent. It’s part of his journey. Every player has his unique journey, it’s not a linear journey to play for France on a regular basis. Matthieu has more than 30 caps, he has a significant experience with France and us since 2020. His form has also been different over that time. His psychological state of mind has also been different. He has qualities that have made his development different. Matthieu’s experience is interesting. Our method is to develop and guide a player, to give them all we can in terms of progress."

"Matthieu is an example of a top quality player who has experienced good and bad moments. He’s had injuries, psychological ones and physical ones. This example is the same for every player. Injuries, bad form, you can study each one. Our role is to offer a helping hand to these players so they can be the best players possible. So they perform. Our power struggle will be Saturday, against England."

Another high profile change to the France squad, sees the return of electric wing Damien Penaud to Les Bleus' frightening back line. Penaud is set to partner his Bordeaux-Begles teammate Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wings, with Thomas Ramos set to pepper the back-field with kicks from the fullback role. Galthie is excited to have Penaud back in the squad, with Theo Attissogbe out of the squad despite grabbing a brace against Wales.

"All wingers have a different role. Offensively they finish the work off, sometimes they change momentum. They specifications that belong to them. The winger’s profile, tactically, psychologically, technically and physically, to a half-back.

"Damian, by the tries he’s score for proves he’s a finisher, the threatens the balance of attack. He’s also a good defender. With the ball he knows where to be, he knows our system well. He’s been picked by us since 2020 on a regular basis. He’s always put his hand up, always played well, even very well. It’s true, time moves on, and it’s been a year since he’s played for us, I think he must be hungry, very hungry."

France captain Antoine Dupont has once again entered the conversation, with the scrum half maestro out to lead Les Bleus to their first Six Nations title since 2022. England have not beaten France since 2021, with Dupont amongst a six-man leadership group that want to steer the ship for a fourth consecutive win against the old Anglo enemies.

"I speak to a lot of the players. We have six-man leadership group around Antoine with starters and substitutes. It’s important to listen to the players. Sharing and understanding them is too. I strive to remain close with him, the leaders and the squad, on the rugby side of things, the organising, preparation, understanding and clarity of our work and how we spend time together, so that players can be as fresh as possible during the match. He fulfills his role as a captain, and I’m there to listen to him."