Gregory Alldritt says France used Eddie Jones' pre-match words as motivation

France number eight Gregory Alldritt declared that England paid the price for Eddie Jones’ pre-match promise of delivering “brutal physicality” in their Six Nations opener.

Jones’ words caused controversy in French rugby circles because of the connotation of violence and they duly backfired as Les Bleus claimed a 24-17 victory having raced into a 24-0 lead built on their own ferocious onslaught.

England were battered in the collisions and Alldritt revealed Jones’ posturing was used as motivation.

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“Eddie was saying that we couldn’t manage the brutality of the England team,” the man of the match said.

“But when you are a winner, a competitor, you just want to show him that you can manage that.

“Of course we read it. We were clearly going to put some fighting spirit out there.”

Alldritt paid tribute to Shaun Edwards, France’s new defence coach whose stamp was all over the home performance.

“Shaun is a tough guy and he always wants aggression from you, in every bit of work and in every tackle,” Edwards said.

“He wants big tackles. And speed in the tackle. He is bringing a lot of experience to us at international level and a lot of competence too.”