The surprise is not so much that Bernard Laporte has named an unchanged team for the semi-final against England - in the circumstances how could he not? - it is more to do with the fact he has been able to. After such a brutally physical game against New Zealand it is testament to the conditioning of the French that everyone has come through fit, even Serge Betsen who, Laporte insists, was not unconscious on the field of play on Saturday night.

Perhaps the one selection that has raised eyebrows is at fly half, where Lionel Beauxis struggled to get into the match against the All Blacks. Only when Frederic Michalak came on, did the team ignite. But then Laporte will remember how Michalak folded badly against England in the semi-final in Sydney four years ago, so sticks with Beauxis from the start. The 21-year-old is a player who probably suits the type of game we shall see on Saturday - a bruising and unforgiving battle for forward and territorial control.

He will also have considered the line out, where New Zealand quickly got to grips with the French, who were slow to adapt and change. However, the coach who has been called ’Crazy Bernie’ for his frequent tinkering says it would not have been right to change again. And he is right. What message would that have sent out?

So the experiment of Damien Traille at full back continues. He, along with Beauxis and Cedric Heymans, presents a get-out-of-jail card with his immense kicking from hand. The intent is obvious: keep England and Jonny Wilkinson out of harm's way.

“We had two choices,” Laporte said. ”The first was to reconvene the team that performed so satisfactorily during the win over New Zealand at the weekend. The second was to make two or three changes. But who didn’t perform in Cardiff? Nobody. It was a collective victory. Of course there were discussions. Everybody had their say. But to pick the same team seemed the logical choice. There was nobody who would have brought more value to the side. It would be very difficult to remove players from a team that has beaten New Zealand.”

France respect and fear England as much as New Zealand did France. He is not taking any chances and cannot afford to. The expectation from a home crowd is immense, which brings its own pressure. In contrast for England, everything from now on is a bonus.