Jonny Wilkinson is ready for another French tale of the unexpected when he returns to Paris on Saturday.
The fly-half, the most experienced player in England's line-up to tackle the Six Nations title favourites this weekend, has unstinting admiration for Les Bleus.
He might have kicked them out of the last two World Cup semi-finals, scoring 33 points over the two games, but Wilkinson knows the degree of difficulty remains a daunting one.
England have not beaten France away from home in the Six Nations since February 2000, when Wilkinson inspired a 15-9 victory.
And even though new France coach Marc Lievremont has opted to field relative unknowns such as fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc, scrum-half Morgan Parra and number eight Louis Picamoles on Saturday, England are braced for another ferocious test.
Wilkinson said: "I think playing against France, there is always an experience of the unknown.
"They are a team that is capable of doing things on a rugby pitch that just don't make sense. They do things you can't explain.
"Anyone who has been on a rugby pitch against the French knows there can be great surges of energy.
"You can be on the opposition 22 thinking everything is great, then all of a sudden you are behind your posts wondering where the hell the last 10 seconds have gone.
"That is kind of the way this French team is playing. They are very much in tune with each other, and they are building a fantastic team.
"There is a real need for the guys to be hugely aware and conscious of the fact heads must be up. You cannot afford to switch off for a second.
"Even when you are miles away from the ball, they can suddenly exploit you, whether it's two phases of play or whatever. There is no respite.
"It's kind of like head in the fridge, body on fire. You need to be able to spot things quickly, otherwise you get caught on the hop."
England head to Paris on Thursday reporting no injury concerns.
That, in itself, is something of a triumph given the significant fitness setbacks they suffered against Wales 19 days ago and before the Italy game last time out when both props - Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery - withdrew.
Sheridan, England's scrummaging powerhouse, has recovered from an infected cut on his right heel.
Given that an insect bite laid him low last summer, tests on his immune system have been conducted and the results appear promising.
Sheridan said: "I saw an immunologist, and all the indications are that I am not likely to keel over at any moment.
"I've had a bit of stick from some of the lads. Mr Regan (hooker Mark Regan) has made some comments. He did say I should drink more cider - the usual jibes.
"It was frustrating watching in Rome. I was just pleased we won, but in the second half we turned the ball over too much and we have been working in training to rectify those problems.
"We need to give a more consistent performance over 80 minutes, be more patient and look after the ball better.
"I enjoyed playing at the Stade de France during the World Cup.
"It is a great place to play. It's a great occasion, and I want to make the most of it."
Teams:
France: C Heymans (Toulouse); A Rougerie (Clermont-Auvergne), D Marty (Perpignan), D Traille (Biarritz), V Clerc (Toulouse); F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), M Parra (Bourgoin); L Faure (Sale), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), N Mas (Perpignan), L Nallet (Castres, capt), Pascal Pape (Stade Francais), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont-Auvergne), L Picamoles (Montpellier).
Replacements: W Servat, J-B Poux (both Toulouse), J Thion (Biarritz), F Ouedraogo (Montpellier), D Yachvili (Biarritz), D Skrela (Stade Francais), A Floch (Clermont-Auvergne).
England: I Balshaw (Gloucester); P Sackey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), T Flood (Newcastle), L Vainikolo (Gloucester); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Regan (Bristol), P Vickery (Wasps, capt), S Shaw (Wasps), S Borthwick (Bath), J Haskell (Wasps), M Lipman (Bath), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: L Mears (Bath), M Stevens (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), D Cipriani (Wasps), M Tait (Newcastle).
More news from SportingLife.com
