Peacock's wary of Dragon fire as England take on France

England captain Jamie Peacock credits the RFL for giving France the chance to become a force again in the international game.

Catalans Dragons, breathing down the necks of Leeds and St Helens in Super League, provide nine of the French line-up against England in Toulouse on Friday night.

‘It’s a massively important game in our preparations for the World Cup and great to have a tough international in the middle of the year,’ said Leeds prop forward Peacock.

‘The RFL should be applauded for taking a French club into Super League, in the face of a lot of criticism, and taking the pressure off them by allowing them  to play for three years without the threat of relegation.’

The Perpignan-based Dragons relied heavily on Australian and Kiwi imports initially and struggled in their first year in Super League.

But they reached the Challenge Cup Final last year and are now third in Super League, with a chance of reaching the Grand Final.

‘Two or three years ago it would have been a lot easier to go to France and win but Catalans are producing some really good players of their own,’ said Peacock, who captained Great Britain to a 3-0 whitewash in last year’s series against New Zealand.

‘I was proud to be GB captain then and I feel just the same about captaining England. I made my international bow for England in the 2000 World Cup.’

Although France are improving immeasurably, a strong England  team should be too good for them.

Peacock said: ‘We are looking for continuity after beating the Kiwis and need to come up with a big performance against France.’

England coach Tony Smith, who gives Hull KR winger Peter Fox his international debut, said: ‘We won’t under-estimate the French and I’m looking for a really good performance.

‘This is pretty much the team that played against the Kiwis and they are here again because they have stayed in form. Now I want them to produce their best form of the year.’

Several of the England team are expected to play for their clubs this weekend and even with a 8.45pm kick-off (local time) they will still find the heat draining.

FRANCE: Clayton; Khattabi, Sadaoui, Raguin, Stacul ; Bosc, Wynne; Elima, Rinaldi (capt), Fellous, Carrasco, Anselme, Mounis. Subs: Casty, Fakir, Duport, Sabatie.

ENGLAND: Wellens; Gardner, Gleeson, Senior, Fox; Pryce, Burrow; Morley, Roby, Peacock (capt), Ellis, Burgess, Sinfield. Subs: McGuire, Fa’asavalu, Graham, Wilkin.

Referee: Jason Robinson (Australia).

TV: Sky Sports 2 7.30pm (kick off 7.45pm)