Statistics. It was the phrase that stored cropping up at France’s new convention on Thursday.

“The stats are on England’s aspect,” mentioned Gaelle Mignot, certainly one of France’s head coaches. “The stats aren’t in our favour.”

“There isn’t any different crew in any sport with these stats,” mentioned the opposite, David Ortiz, in reference to the Pink Roses’ run of kind.

They’re proper, after all. Ortiz and Mignot have been solely confronting the plain. England’s numbers loom massive over each opponent.

For the reason that final Rugby World Cup ultimate, England have gained a report 31 straight Assessments. They’ve gained 61 out of their previous 62 matches, racking up huge profitable margins in most. No-one has obtained inside 30 factors of them on this match.

France themselves have misplaced their previous 16 matches towards England, a depressing report that stretches again greater than seven years.

Within the shade of such stats, perception can quickly wilt.

Previewing Saturday’s semi-final, French newspaper L’Equipe, exterior referred to England’s dominance as a “new Ice Age” that “appears removed from completed”.

But when France delve past these headline figures, into the effective element, the numbers supply extra consolation.

As a result of no-one has come nearer or pushed tougher throughout England’s present profitable streak.

France are the one crew to complete inside seven factors of England over the interval, preventing again to inside some extent at Allianz Stadium in April, and dropping out by 5 on the identical stage two years earlier than.

France additionally common probably the most tries (3.4), probably the most entries into the opposition 22m (10.8), probably the most defenders crushed (27.4) and the skinniest dropping margin (16 factors), of any crew of their conferences with England because the begin of 2023.