'While South Africa were tremendous in the final, if they played five times, England would win four'

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Thomas Castaignede believes England were the best team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but is backing “x-factor” scrum half Antoine Dupont to provide the magic to give France victory in their Six Nations opener at the Stade de France on Sunday.

With Dupont threatening from scrum half, Castaignede is confident a young French side under new head coach Fabien Galthie can shock the World Cup runners’ up and sees this match as their best opportunity for victory over England. He told RugbyPass: “Antoine Dupont is the x-factor – someone who can create something special and he will have to be watched by England because he can get inside any tiny hole (in the defence).

“He is uncatchable and I would describe him as a French player with a English mentality!

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“This French back line is probably one of the most exciting in the World and if you take every individual they are at the top level and only Anthony Bouthier at full back doesn’t have a lot of experience but has shown with Montpellier that he has this energy – a craziness – that could make the difference. He is a speedy guy and he will get tested by the high ball which means the wingers have to help him.

“Fabien wants France to play without fear and not concentrate on what England are doing. Before when we played England we only thought about counter-attacking because we knew they were better than us. This could be a good time to play England who haven’t played together in a long time. They should have won the World Cup because they were the best team and the semi-final win over New Zealand was fantastic and while South Africa were tremendous on day, if they played five times, England would win four.

All Blacks haka England France" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://cdn.rugbypass.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1183525720-2.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.rugbypass.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1183525720-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cdn.rugbypass.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1183525720-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.rugbypass.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1183525720-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /> England players look on while New Zealand perform the haka in Yokohama. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“For some of the players from Saracens, mentally it must be tough and if you are not 100 percent committed then at the highest level you can be punished and if there is a time for France to beat England then it is Sunday. “

Castaignede, who won 54 caps, does see a potential weakness in the French pack and it revolves around the South African-born pair of locks Bernard Le Roux and Paul Willemse, who lack the mobility of their opposite numbers. This could be damaging if England are able to win quick ball and replicate the rugby that defeated the All Blacks in the semi-final in Japan.