England head coach Martin Johnson has warned his players to expect a backlash when they face France, 9/5 with bookmaker to win Saturday’s quarter-final.
Johnson has urged his team to stay focused even though Les Bleus suffered two defeats in Pool A at the hands of New Zealand and Tonga.
England, who are 1/2 to win the last-eight clash, have also struggled at times in the tournament, with Johnson warning: “We know France can underperform, but we also know they can produce games that are almost unstoppable, as we have seen at previous World Cups.
“You absolutely have to expect anything and for it to be of the highest standard. Anything can happen and we have to deal with it mentally.”