Whoever wins Pool C know they are likely to have to beat Australia and then the All Blacks to reach the World Cup final
Rarely, if ever, have England been involved in a World Cup fixture which their opponents would secretly prefer to lose. France’s players and coaches will not shout it from the Imperial Palace rooftops but they know an English win in the Pool C contest on Saturday will offer Les Bleus a slightly enhanced chance of success in the knockout stages.
Related: Enduring allure of all-conquering All Blacks makes them big in Japan | Andy Bull
Written by Robert Kitson in Tokyo
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/07/france-england-battle-rugby-world-cup-pool-c under the title “Are England or France happy to lose Pool C decider to avoid the All Blacks? | Robert Kitson”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
