Shaun Edwards has warned England the days of France falling for their mind games are over.
The countries clash on Saturday with the French 80 minutes from a first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010.
Le Crunch has a history of provocation, from Brian Moore winding up France with his ’15 Eric Cantonas: brilliant but brutal’ jibe in the 1990s to Eddie Jones promising ‘absolute brutality’ on England’s last visit.
Jones is at it again this week, telling the unbeaten leaders the pressure of playing for a Slam will be unlike anything they have known.
He took it a step further, instructing his team to make that “live in their head” even more by playing with such “intensity and ferociousness” it knocks France backwards.
Edwards knows more about winning Grand Slams than Jones or anyone else involved. And Les Bleus' defence coach insists the days of rising to English bait have gone.
“We’re a professional outfit, very well organised on the pitch and off it,” he told Mirror Sport. “The one thing we’ve improved a lot is our discipline.
“It’s France versus England, so you would expect physicality wouldn’t you. We aim to play it hard but we aim to play it fair, within the rules.
“England are a world class team who I thought were absolutely outstanding with 14 players against Ireland.
“Any team with Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje is going to be formidable. We know we’re in for a battle royal.
“Add to that that this is France's biggest match since the 2011 World Cup final, a chance to win a trophy for the first time in 12 years.
“Of course there’s pressure, but if you’re playing at this level and you can’t take pressure, let's be honest, you’re in the wrong place. You should be doing something else.”
Asked if playing before an expectant Stade de France crowd was to their advantage or not, he said: “Put it this way, all four times I won the Six Nations with Wales the deciding game was in Cardiff. It’s good to be at home.
“You have to enjoy the spotlight, relish the heat, welcome the attention. A day like this is what you play rugby for.”
Edwards joined France after the last World Cup, leaving a Wales set-up with whom he collected three Grand Slams.
His mission was both to make their defence watertight and clean up their act. Within a year they went from conceding most penalties in the Six Nations to fewest.
Another year on and that coolness under pressure is married to France's traditional attacking flair.
England, who yesterday dropped wing Max Malins and hooker Jamie Blamire from the squad beaten by Ireland, plan to put it to the test.
But Edwards had this message to those intent on storming France's barricades and spoiling their big day.
"In rugby," said the cross-code legend. "You don’t have to give penalties away to be physical".
