England v France match preview, coverage & key stats

Guinness Men's Six Nations: England v France

Venue: Allianz Arena, Twickenham Date: Saturday, 8 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1.

Overview

England resume their Six Nations campaign against France on Saturday knowing they must win to harbour any hopes of securing a first title since 2020.

Head coach Steve Borthwick blamed inexperience for England's second-half capitulation against reigning champions Ireland last weekend, but his side's failure to sustain their high-energy approach after the break is becoming a worrying theme.

Tournament favourites France hammered Wales without conceding a point in their opening match, a performance punctuated by peerless captain Antoine Dupont's three try assists in less than an hour.

Dupont is attempting to lead France to a Grand Slam for the second time after their triumph in 2022, while he also masterminded the record seven-try rout of England on Les Bleus' last visit to London in the Six Nations two years ago.

England team news

England make three changes from their defeat in Dublin.

Fin Smith makes a first start at fly-half with Marcus Smith moving to full-back in place of Freddie Steward, who is dropped from the 23-man squad.

Tom Willis also makes his first Test start at number eight after coming off the bench in Dublin, with Ben Earl moving to openside flanker and Ben Curry dropping to the bench.

Ollie Sleightholme replaces Cadan Murley, who has been ruled out with a foot injury.

Fit-again Jamie George and Saracens team-mate Elliot Daly are brought into the replacements.

England: 15-M Smith; 14-Freeman, 13-Lawrence, 12-Slade, 11-Sleightholme; 10-F Smith, 9-Mitchell; 1-Genge, 2-Cowan-Dickie, 3-Stuart, 4-Itoje (capt), 5-Martin, 6-T Curry, 7-Earl, 8-Willis

Replacements: 16-George, 17-Baxter, 18-Heyes, 19-Chessum, 20-Cunningham-South, 21-B Curry, 22-Randall, 23-Daly

France team news

Romain Ntamack is suspended following his red card against Wales for a high tackle on Ben Thomas.

He is replaced at fly-half by Matthieu Jalibert in one of two changes to the starting XV that won 43-0 last Friday night.

Damian Penaud, who missed round one with a toe injury, returns on the wing in place of Theo Attissogbe, while the bench is unchanged.

France: 15-Ramos; 14-Penaud, 13-Barassi, 12-Moefana, 11-Bielle-Biarrey; 10-Jalibert, 9-Dupont (capt); 1-Gros, 2-Mauvaka, 3-Atonio, 4-Roumat, 5-Meafou, 6-Cros, 7-Boudehent, 8-Alldritt

Replacements: 16-Marchand, 17-Baille, 18-Colombe, 19-Auradou, 20-Guillard, 21-Jegou, 22-Le Garrec, 23-Gailleton

View from both camps

England head coach Steve Borthwick: "France pose a physical challenge and a very distinct tactical challenge, particularly with that long kicking game.

"Marcus is one of the most dangerous players I've ever seen in those unstructured situations.

"He finds space between defenders that doesn't appear to be there. Marcus is a game-changing player.

He's a player with brilliant instincts and I want him to bring all those natural instincts on to the pitch this weekend in an England shirt."

France head coach Fabien Galthie: "Once we saw Romain Ntamack's red card, we started to work on a solution that same night.

"From that moment, the option of Matthieu Jalibert came clear. It's obvious, it's coherent, it's logical.

"Matthieu is an example of a top quality player who has experienced good and bad moments."

Commentator's notes

Sara Orchard: "Steve Borthwick's decision to select Marcus Smith at 15 allows the Harlequins player more attacking opportunities in open play.

"This should work for England if France deploy the same long-ball tactics that they did against Wales.

"However, if Les Bleus switch to lots of short contestable kicks like Ireland, then Smith could be under more pressure.

"Many fans have been calling for Fin Smith get his start at 10 and his selection is credit to his consistent performances at club level and his physicality in defence.

"Despite rumours of a falling out between Fabien Galthie and Matthieu Jalibert last autumn, it appears all is well for now, as Romain Ntamack serves his ban.

"There is no hiding, though, from the thrilling return of Damian Penaud, who scored no less than six tries for his club side Bordeaux less than a month ago in the Champions Cup. This guy is box office."

Match facts

Head-to-head

• France can win four successive championship games versus England for the first time since 1978.

• France's 53-10 win at Twickenham in 2023 is their biggest margin of victory against England. It was also England's record home defeat.

England

• England have lost eight of their past 13 Tests, including six of the last seven.

• Steve Borthwick has suffered 15 defeats during his 29-match, two-year tenure (48% win rate).

• Since winning their last Six Nations title in 2020, England have finished fifth, third, fourth and third, with nine wins from 20 games – and four of those have come against Italy.

• England have lost three of their last six home games in the Six Nations (W3), as many as in their previous 29 championship fixtures (W25, D1).

• However, England have won their last two home Six Nations games, both by fewer than three points.

France

• France have lost just one of their last 11 Tests, winning their last four in a row.

• However, they could lose consecutive matches on the road for the first time since 2021, when they were defeated by Australia in a summer Test and then at Twickenham in the Six Nations.

• France have won six of their last seven away Six Nations games, including their last three in a row.

• Les Bleus can win four straight Six Nations matches on the road for the first time since 2011.

• France made the most attacking 22 entries (12) and scored the most points per entry (3.6) of any team in round one. They also conceded five defensive 22 entries of any side, the joint-fewest.