Image source, Getty Images

England rewarded for their patience as France are penalised from not releasing after making the tackle. Owen Farrell with the chance to reduce the arrears and the outside-half does so with his usual confidence.

Nath:, external Well that start to the game was, erm, terrible!

James Bennetts:, external You have got to be kidding me!

Portia Darling:, external Cracking start to the rugby... if you are a France fan!

A high-voltage start to this much-anticipated match in the French capital. Owen Farrell picks out Joe Launchbury who crosses the gainline, as does Luther Burrell. England rumbling forward. The tryline just 5m or so away... Oof, this is exciting.

Brian Moore
Former England hooker on BBC One

"The worst possible start for England. France will take anything that is given. It was a simple run in and if England didn't think they had a job to do, they must certainly know they do now."

Ben Kay
Former England lock on BBC Radio 5 live

"What an amazing start. Mike Brown slipped as he tried to cover. A nightmare for all those English debutants.

"The England team are not having much of a chat under their posts. There's not much you can say. They just have to regroup."

Image source, Getty Images

What a start! Merely 32 seconds are on the clock! England fail to deal with Plisson's kick and Yoann Huget gathers and then gallops down the wing with dazed-looking England players looking on. The hosts, though, fail with the conversion.

A toot of referee Nigel Owens' whistle and off we go..

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at the Stade de France

"Two years ago then-caretaker head coach Stuart Lancaster cemented his claim to the permanent role by masterminding a nail-mangling win here with a fresh-faced and inexperienced team. His backs are similarly green this time around, but he now has a pack big and nasty enough to frighten even the French at home. Win that battle up front, and Lancaster's happy history can repeat."

A passionate rendition of La Marseillaise and once the sound of the trumpets and singing die down, up pop a few of the country's national flags around the stadium. The French are in jovial mood.

Image source, Getty Images

The players made to wait before they are allowed to burst onto the pitch. The two teams come out together to the backdrop of some dramatic music, it's as if a Hollywood blockbuster is about to be trailed. The anthems coming up... There will be only one winner in that sing-off.

Sir Clive Woodward
Former England coach on BBC One

"As long the England forwards front up then they can win. If they have problems in the scrum then it could be a long night."

If the recent past is anything to go by, then, England will leave Paris with a victory. For those in need of more tales of French woe then perhaps I should tell you Les Bleus won just two of their 11 Tests last year, which was their worst record since 1980. But this tournaments follows a Lions tour! Everything else is bunkum!

Image source, @FFR_officiel

France ended last year's campaign with the wooden spoon but that hasn't stopped their faithful followers from dressing up in the colours of the tricolour and wearing zany wigs. The Six Nations, eh, brings out the best in Gallic sartorial elegance.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster tells BBC One: "We are a young side but it's a great opportunity, it's a great place to play rugby and I'm pleased it is dry.

"I think for the young players it's about giving them belief. Everything I have seen this week makes me think they're ready for the challenge against a formidable French team. You want to start the Six Nations with a win. Whoever gets it will have momentum going into the second round of games.

"The calendar year is big for England. Let's hope it starts with a win."

Andy Nicol
Former Scotland scrum-half and BBC Sport analyst

The tools I am playing with for France v England:

Image source, AndyNic9

There are familiar faces in the England starting line-up but for those who don't keep abreast of the Premiership at least, there will be a few unfamiliar names on the match day programme.

England: Mike Brown; Jack Nowell, Luther Burrell, Billy Twelvetrees, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Danny Care; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Henry Thomas, Dave Attwood, Ben Morgan, Lee Dickson, Brad Barritt, Alex Goode.

For those of you who need reminding, here is who will line up for France this afternoon:

France: Brice Dulin; Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Maxime Medard; Jules Plisson, Jean-Marc Doussain; Thomas Domingo, Benjamin Kayser, Nicolas Mas, Alexandre Flanquart, Pascal Pape, Yannick Nyanga, Bernard Le Roux, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Yannick Forestier, Rabah Slimani, Yoann Maestri, Antoie Burban, Damien Chouly, Maxime Machenaud, Gael Fickou.

Ben Kay
Former England lock and BBC Sport expert

"I think it'll be very physical. Philippe Saint-Andre has come out to say France need to match England, particularly in the front five. I think the absence of Thierry Dusautoir is big but having said that the French have a slight advantage in the back row, particularly with Louis Picamoles going up against Billy Vunipola. He needs to have a really big game. There are still threats in that French back row despite Dusautoir not being there."

France are also following the motto 'if you're good enough, you're old enough' with the selection of Jules Plisson. Who? You know, the outside-half whose uncle is a well-known film-maker. The 22-year-old who has been known to drop a goal or two but has only played 985 minutes, external of top-flight rugby.

"I started in the Six Nations when I was 19 or 20 and I survived," said Saint Andre earlier this week. "So why should I be scared to pick young players?" I suppose he has a point.

Don't forget, you can watch Jeremy Guscott and co chat about this game by clicking/pressing on the 'Live Coverage' tab at the top of this page. Some jazz-flute has already been played so we're warming up nicely to kick-off.