The first strains of Swing Low ring out from the famous old stands as France break with pace...

Freddie Steward secure with his first catch and run but England lose the ball instantly in the tackle. France a real threat at the breakdown.

Marcus Smith booms the ball into the winter sky and we're under way at Twickenham!

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Whatever your allegiance, can we all agree that La Marseillaise is a 10/10 anthem?

England: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge (capt), George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Ribbans, B Curry, Mitchell, Farrell, Arundell.

France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana, Jaminet.

Huddle in the France dressing room, as England players psych themselves up. The noise is rising all the time. Are you ready?

Ireland, who face Scotland on Sunday, currently sit on a maximum 15 points. A bonus point win for Andy Farrell’s men would put them eight, nine or 10 points ahead of Scotland, depending on any losing bonus points, meaning Scotland would be unable to usurp Ireland on the final day.

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Also on 10 points are both of today's foes, England and France. That means Ireland need to be at least six points ahead of both sides, as well as Scotland, in order to be crowned champions by the end of the penultimate set of fixtures.

A bonus point win for England or France would keep them within five points of Ireland, meaning the Championship would head to the final day. However, should either England or France win but fail to earn a bonus point, then Ireland would sit six points clear with a bonus-point win over Scotland, and subsequently have an unassailable lead at the top to take the title.

Simple really.

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Ellis Genge is the first prop to captain England's men for 16 years.

What a huge moment for the Bristol man. Kick-off is just 10 minutes away...

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Capped 64 times by France, Fabien Galthie was once described by then coach Bernard Laporte as the best scrum-half in his nation’s history. He featured in four World Cups and made 20 Six Nations appearances. In 2002 he captained France to a Grand Slam and was named World Player of the Year.

Whatever happens, there won't be a better hat-trick all day.

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World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward calls the decision to go with Marcus Smith on ITV the "professional choice."

Will he unlock the game from 10 for the hosts?

Twickenham is filling up nicely - should be a cold one!

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France have won 15 of their last 16 Tests (L1) and seven of their last eight in the Six Nations (L1). Ominously for England, France have scored the opening try in 26 of their past 33 Test matches.

England will have to be really switched on.

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Former England captain Steve Borthwick has only completed two full campaigns as a head coach, taking over a struggling Leicester Tigers side in 2020 before leading them to a first Premiership title in nine years the following season.

He previously worked as forwards coach alongside Eddie Jones with Japan between 2012 and 2015 and England between 2015 and 2020. The former Bath and Saracens second row also coached on the British and Irish Lions’ drawn Test series in New Zealand in 2017.

Italy's wait for a win in Rome goes on - they had their moments again but it's Wales who come away with the points.

Catch the reaction to that one here.

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France, though, are not without their weaknesses. Scotland successfully attacked the French scrum at the Stade de France two weeks ago, and France are missing premier tight-head props Uini Atonio and Mohamed Haouas through suspension.

The fitness levels of France have also been questioned, with only two of their nine tries scored so far in this championship coming after half-time.

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Yes, France really have not won a Six Nations match at Twickenham in 18 years.

Although Les Bleus lost their most recent away fixture in Ireland, 15 wins in their last 16 Test matches mean that the world’s number two ranked side start this contest as favourites to right their dismal record at HQ.

Ireland, who face Scotland on Sunday, currently sit on a maximum 15 points. A bonus point win for Andy Farrell’s men would put them eight, nine or 10 points ahead of Scotland, depending on any losing bonus points, meaning Scotland would be unable to usurp Ireland on the final day.

Image source, Getty Images

Also on 10 points are both of today's foes, England and France. That means Ireland need to be at least six points ahead of both sides, as well as Scotland, in order to be crowned champions by the end of the penultimate set of fixtures.

A bonus point win for England or France would keep them within five points of Ireland, meaning the Championship would head to the final day. However, should either England or France win but fail to earn a bonus point, then Ireland would sit six points clear with a bonus-point win over Scotland, and subsequently have an unassailable lead at the top to take the title.

Simple really.

England: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge (capt), George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Ribbans, B Curry, Mitchell, Farrell, Arundell.

France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana, Jaminet.