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France are one of the world's best, says Youngs

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Ben Youngs has described France as one of world rugby's most dangerous teams, despite defeat in their opening two games of this season's Six Nations.

France, who finished runners-up to New Zealand at the World Cup in 2011, lost to Italy in Rome on the opening weekend before losing to Wales.

It was the first time France had lost their opening two games in the competition since 1982, when it was the Five Nations.

They take on England at Twickenham this Saturday (kick-off 5pm) and Youngs is warning of a French backlash.

He says: “The French have had it in the World Cup, in Six Nations previously and in the autumn internationals where they look as if they’re on the ropes and they need knocking out then, all of a sudden, they produce the absolute magic that we know they’re capable of. We’re fully aware of that.

“We’re approaching it like we do any other test match and we have a huge amount of respect for France. We know if France get it right on the day they’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in world rugby and we’re approaching it like that.

“They’re blessed with stars all over the pitch and we all know when they gel, and it will be at some point, they’re very dangerous and we’ve got to hope that’s not this weekend.”

Youngs is one of seven Tigers players retained by England as they keep the matchday 23 that beat Ireland in Dublin in their last outing. He is joined by Dan Cole, Toby Flood, Geoff Parling, Manu Tuilagi, Thomas Waldrom and brother Tom Youngs in the squad.

The game is live on the televisions around Welford Road before kick-off in Tigers' Aviva Premiership game with Saracens. Tickets to Tigers v Saracens are available now from the Welford Road ticket office, on 0844 856

FORWARDS (13)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (London Wasps)
Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

BACKS (10)
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Mouritz Botha (Saracens) , Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Will Fraser (Saracens), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), David Strettle (Saracens), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Joel Tomkins (Saracens) and Billy Vunipola (London Wasps) have all been released by England back to their Aviva Premiership clubs.