MARCOUSSIS, France, 26 March 2004 — Olivier Magne believes England and France are on a par technically, tactically and physically and that tomorrow’s Six Nations decider will be won or lost on mental strength.
“England are not better than us in any part of the game,” the 30-year-old flanker, who has 76 caps, has won three grand slams and played in two World Cups, told reporters at the French training camp yesterday.
“The balance of power is not on the pitch because the two teams are very close to each other. The difference will be of a mental nature. A rugby game between two top-level teams is above all a battle of determination and aggression.”
“The first team that lets go loses. That’s how that kind of game is won or lost.”
To support his theory, Magne cited the 1999 World Cup semifinal between France and New Zealand at Twickenham.
The All Blacks were the hot favorites to win the tournament and to defeat a French team that had finished last in the Six Nations.
They were leading by 14 points after the break but France stormed back to beat them 43-31 in one of the biggest upsets in the rugby union history.
