Hugo Lloris has said France are primed for a “big battle” with England as the countries prepare to renew their rivalry in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final. The teams have met only twice in a competitive fixture this millennium and never in a World Cup knockout match but the France captain, citing the needle between the nations in rugby union’s “Le Crunch”, acknowledged all the ingredients are there for a mouthwatering showdown at Al Bayt Stadium.
No team scored more goals in Qatar than England (12) in reaching the last eight and Lloris said France recognise the significance of the occasion as well the quality of the opposition. England have also kept three successive clean sheets. France, meanwhile, possess the tournament’s leading goalscorer in Kylian Mbappé and the reigning champions are bidding to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
