The repeated collapse

Entire scrum is being driven ever deeper into widening crater of Parisian turf while referee skips about looking agitated. England hooker overheard making insulting personal remarks.

What it means: England winning

The nudge on

As in "England clearly got a nudge on there". Vital three-inch heave visible only to expert eye, otherwise indistinguishable from stationary knot of large men making "huunnngh" noise.

What it means: England winning

France quick to the breakdown

Men in dark blue shirts lie on ground scrabbling wildly. May be accompanied by voice shouting "Roll away white, coming out, coming out". Watch for inexplicable hands-on-the-floor-on-the-wrong-side-style penalty.

What it means: France winning

The English bulldozer

As in "the English bulldozer shifts through the gears". Also "the Sale Sharks' juggernaut rampant in the loose". Any reference to diggers, loaders, cement mixers or other construction equipment generally favourable.

What it means: England winning

Shaw pinches lineout ball

Enormous man in white shirt leaps to fantastic height propelled by human pyramid of squat men with bandaged ears. Catches ball between thumb and forefinger. Subsequently engulfed by herd of seething dark blue and white nylon, usually described as "England look to get a drive on".

What it means: England winning

They've stolen it... or have they?

Oddly peaceful three-minute hiatus while mass all-in bundle gradually dissolves into tableau of rotund men wallowing on top of one another in fruitless hunt for white leather oval. Continue until everybody's had a rest.

What it means: Nobody winning