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France assistant coach Shaun Edwards: "England are a world-class team who I thought were absolutely outstanding with 14 players against Ireland.

"Any team with Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje is going to be formidable. We know we're in for a battle royal. Add to that this is France's biggest match since the 2011 World Cup final, a chance to win a trophy for the first time in 12 years.

"There's pressure but if you're playing at this level and you can't take pressure, you're in the wrong place. You should be doing something else. You have to enjoy the spotlight, relish the heat. A day like this is what you play rugby for."

Martin Johnson
Former England captain and coach on BBC Radio 5Live

When you play France in Paris the adrenaline will be pumping.

The pressure is all on France, that's obvious, you have to make them think about losing.

They can be put under pressure, that's easier said that done though.

Can England beat France? Yes. How many times out of 10 would they do it in these circumstances? Maybe two or three.

In the day's first game, Italy beat Wales as a stunning late converted try by Edoardo Padovani completed a 22-21 win in Cardiff - the Azzurri's first Six Nations victory since 2015.

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England captain Courtney Lawes: "It's a very hostile crowd at the Stade de France and you have to be prepared for that.

"It's part and parcel of playing away from home on the international stage, especially against a team going for the Grand Slam. That's absolutely fine for us. We can use it for motivation and use it to give us energy.

"You have to change the mentality of the crowd. It was similar at Murrayfield where we were getting booed on the way in. You have got to prove these people wrong and essentially try to make them quiet."

Mike Henson
BBC Sport in Paris

I'm not saying it is getting Gallic in here, but the pre-match dance cam has just picked out a group of Marcel Marceaus boogying to Daft Punk.

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

Walking out into an atmosphere like that is a sort of out-of-body experience, it doesn't matter how many caps you have.

When you feel that French passion and atmosphere, knowing you're on foreign soil, the atmosphere is unique and it feels uncomfortable.

It's whether there are enough English players who can handle that discomfort.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

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George Furbank's first start for England was in this fixture two years ago where he did not have a good day and to think that won't be rattling around is head is utter nonsense.

He's a lovely runner for Northampton when he has space but I can't work out where Furbank's form is to take over from Steward at full-back.

Eddie Jones is trying to be clever. I still don't think it will define his career or whether he is still in his position going into the World Cup if England do get turned over, but it is a very confusing selection.

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It all started so well for Eddie Jones with a Grand Slam and back-to-back titles.

2016 - 1st (Grand Slam)

2017 - 1st

2018 - 5th

2019 - 2nd

2020 - 1st

2021 - 5th

2022 - TBC...

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England may have struggled in this Six Nations but France manager Raphael Ibanez insists they will be defiant opponents.

Ibanez knows from his time at Wasps and as a hooker for France that England possess the heart that is occasionally lacking in his own national team.

“The 40-25 victory over the All Blacks in the autumn created a super dynamic at the heart of the side which has lasted,” Ibanez said.

“Now there is a match to play against an England side for whom – I can testify first hand because I had the opportunity to live and play at the heart of domestic English rugby for six years – the absence of motivation does not exist.

“There is no lack of passion, which we sometimes have felt in French teams. All matches are important to them and it is that which makes them strong and tough to the point of being back breakingly so.”

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The bookmakers are expecting France to win by more than seven.

The form book suggests the hosts as well with the visiting team winning just one of England and France's last nine Six Nations meetings.

But, there have been little details during this Six Nations campaign to offer hope to Eddie Jones' men.

Here are four ways that the fixture could turn their way.

Ugo Monye
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

There's a tremendous level of excitement.

There's pressure on the players and coaches, if England lose they'll have only won two matches in this Six Nations.

England need to take France to a place of unfamiliarity.

France have been brilliant this Six Nations, the home crowd here love this team, how they play and the results.

The French are 80 minutes from creating their own history with the World Cup just a year away.

Pressure? England lock Maro Itoje is used to it and hopes to thrive on it, as he's been telling the BBC's Rugby Union Daily.

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How do you solve a problem like Atonio? France's tighthead prop Uini Atonio weights in at 23 stone and stands 6ft 4in tall. In a game of giants, he is the biggest man on the pitch.

Callum Black, former Ulster and Worcester prop, has had the pleasure of packing down against him when playing French side La Rochelle.

"I tried instead to get under Atonio and scrum at a height he would find uncomfortable. If you come up to his height, it becomes a wrestle and you don't want to be there," he told BBC Sport.

You can read more of his experience and the fascinating dramatic background of Atonio over here.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport in Paris

How do we feel about suits with sparkling white trainers?

Well, if this France team say it flies, who are we to argue?

The hosts are here and their arrival on the big screen sparks cheers from those in their seats early.

Gael Fickou is one of those off the bus and straight onto the pitch, stretching and flexing in his formalwear. It's a look.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's a big night of rugby, particularly as results have gone the way they have.

That Ireland performance heaps more pressure on France tonight, they need to win it.

The build-up, the enormity of a France v England game anyway, and with so much on it - reputations, a Grand Slam, World Cup credibility - there is plenty to get absorbed in.

Image source, Inpho

As we mentioned at the start, England can hand Ireland the title tonight by stopping France from winning tonight.

Ireland are top of the Six Nations table as things stand, thanks to their win over Scotland in Dublin earlier.

You can read all about their 26-5 victory here.

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's fascinating being in here.

We've talked a lot about England and what state they're in and what their mind-set will be like.

But turning our attention to France, looking around there's not a person with a flag sat on their seat, not up and waving it.

There's pressure on them because they have to go out and win, it's a free hit for England.

It could be an epic encounter.

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Sunday 6 February: Beat Italy 37-10 (H)

Saturday 12 February: Beat Ireland 30-24 (H)

Saturday 26 February: Beat Scotland 36-17 (A)

Friday 11 March: Beat Wales 13-9 (A)

Saturday 19 March: England (H)

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Saturday 5 February: Lost 20-17 to Scotland (A)

Sunday 13 February: Beat Italy 33-0 (A)

Saturday 26 February: Beat Wales 23-19 (H)

Saturday 12 March: Lost 32-15 to Ireland (H)

Saturday 19 March: France (A)

Mike Henson
BBC Sport in Paris

Image source, .

It's a brute. An 80,000-seater spaceship dropped just off the main road north of Paris, the Stade de France hosted the 1998 World Cup final when Zinedine Zidane led his country to a maiden global football title.

In 2024 it will host the track events at the Olympics.

But for the next 18 months it is all about rugby.

Tonight's shot at a Grand Slam, next year's Rugby World Cup.

There are tricoleres on the seats and a buzz in the air.

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