Summary

  • Title hopefuls France power to record win over England at Twickenham

  • England's third heaviest defeat in history as title hopes are crushed

  • Thomas Ramos try in second minute as visitors led 27-3 at half-time

  • Forwards Thibaud Flament and Charles Ollivon score two tries apiece

  • Damian Penaud runs in two late tries as England nightmare continues

  • France's first win in Six Nations match at Twickenham since 2005

Live Reporting

  1. The changing of the guard?

    England v France (16:45 GMT)

    Mantej Mann
    BBC Sport at Twickenham

    There was a nice moment just now as Owen Farrell gave Marcus Smith a pat on the back as the pair made their way onto the Twickenham turf.

    Farrell is a world-class competitor and his omission from the starting line-up will have been a disappointment, but he will throw his full support behind Smith today.

    England fans will be hoping for a greater attacking display and Smith will bear most of that pressure.

    Can he recreate last week's Twickenham heroics with club side Harlequins..?

    Farrell and SmithGetty Images

  2. 'Sensational Smith'

    England v France (16:45 GMT)

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent

    Marcus SmithGetty Images

    Three times a British and Irish Lion and capped 104 times by England, Owen Farrell was last left out of a full-strength England side at the start of the 2015 World Cup.

    Since then he has been an ever-present, either at fly-half or centre, captaining the side since the South Africa tour in 2018.

    But after playing a starring role in Harlequins' victory over Exeter, Marcus Smith has made a sensational return to the starting XV and lines up alongside Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade in arguably the biggest match of his career.

    Farrell's goalkicking, normally so reliable, has also been under scrutiny this season, and he missed four of his six attempts from the tee against Wales.

  3. Smith's chance to shine

    England v France (16:45 GMT)

    Marcus SMithGetty Images

    Marcus Smith was 18 when first called up to an England training camp by then-head coach Eddie Jones.

    Now aged 24, it seems the fly-half will finally get his chance to take charge of England's attack without the influence of Owen Farrell.

    Given the natural rugby talent Smith has displayed at Harlequins, it is what many England fans have wanted for a long time.

  4. Team news

    England v France (16:45 GMT)

    Ellis GengeGetty Images

    The new skipper

    England make just one change from the 20-10 in Wales two weeks ago, but it is a huge talking point.

    Captain Owen Farrell has been replaced by Marcus Smith at fly-half which means Ellis Genge captains the side for the first time.

    Jonathan DantyGetty Images

    France make three changes following the win against Scotland. Two are enforced, with Dorian Aldegheri replacing the suspended Mohamed Haouas at prop and Francois Cros coming in for the injured flanker Anthony Jelonch.

    The third change comes in the backs, where inside centre Jonathan Danty makes his first start of the championship in place of Yoram Moefana.

  5. The absence of one man has been the talk of the town of course...

  6. Two out of three...

    England v France (16:45 GMT)

    Ain't bad, as they say, but both England and old rivals France need a third win at Twickenham this afternoon to keep their Six Nations chances alive.

    Who will come out on top? Will Steve Borthwick start to stamp his identity on this England team?

    England v FranceGetty Images

    Which France will turn up? Sorry, you have to say that.