Paris – England attack coach Simon Amor said on Saturday he was prepared for the “wonderful threats” among France’s three-quarters ahead of their opening game in the Six Nations this weekend.

Register your interest for the British & Irish Lions tickets in South Africa 2021

Amor, 40, who replaced Australian Scott Wisemantel after the Rugby World Cup final defeat last year, will see his side line up against the likes of in-form Virimi Vakatawa, Teddy Thomas and Damian Penaud on Sunday.

“Certainly we’re well aware of the wonderful threats that the French backline possesses, particularly in broken field play,” Amor said at the eve-of-match press conference.

“If we give them space we know how dangerous and capable they are. It’s really important that we don’t give them that space, that we maintain a real tight composure around them,” he added.

England winger Jonny May, who scored three times during the World Cup before the final loss to South Africa in November, echoed Amor’s thoughts.

“They can turn it on with a click of a finger,” May said.

“It’s a dangerous backline. Off-loading game, smart players, good decision makers, attacking kickers.

“When they get on the front foot the French are probably the best in the world at hitting gaps,” he added.

Former England and Team GB sevens head coach Amor praised Vakatawa, who featured for Les Bleus in the shorter form of the sport at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The Racing 92 centre has crossed seven times in 10 games for his club this season in his third campaign back in the longer format of the game.

“He was phenomenal for the French sevens team and was a constant threat. To see the progress and the transition he has made and to take that attacking threat into the 15-a-side game has been excellent,” Amor said.

“He is a danger man and is playing well at the moment as well. We’re well aware of that. We have some great players ourselves. We think we’re able to contain him,” he added.

Kick-off is at 17:00 SA time.

Teams:

France

15 Anthony Bouthier, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Damian Penaud, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon (captain), 6 François Cros, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille

Substitutes: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jefferson Poirot, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Matthieu Jalibert, 23 Vincent Rattez

England

15 George Furbank, 14 Jonny May, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler

Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Kruis, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Jonathan Joseph