Graham Rowntree has braced Twickenham for a thunderous forward collision as England launch their final assault on the Six Nations title on Saturday.
Ireland and Wales are also in the hunt for the crown on a day promising captivating sporting theatre that will unfold over three staggered kick-offs, with points difference almost certain to decide the outcome as all three sides start the day on four points.
Bringing down the curtain is England’s clash with France, after Italy host Wales and Ireland have played at Scotland. It is the English who occupy pole position, knowing exactly what is required to win a first piece of silverware under coach Stuart Lancaster.
Pivotal to the outcome at Twickenham will be the battle between two huge packs.
“France’s pack are always a challenge. They’re huge men,” said Rowntree, the England forwards coach.
“They’re always a real test. You don’t get many tougher tests as a forward than playing against a French pack. Last weekend, they used their size to their advantage against Italy. They scrummed well against Italy and drove well.
“There aren’t many teams doing that to Italy at the moment, and I’ve no doubt they’ll come to Twickenham looking to do the same to us.
“There is a real hunger and determination about the players this week. Any French team that comes to Twickenham is a handful, regardless of what’s riding on the game.”
Lancaster has already said he will not make his team talk until the conclusion of Ireland’s game. By that time, England will know what they need to do, in terms of a winning margin, to lift the Six Nations trophy for the first time since 2011.
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Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The five pillars of Islam
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
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- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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