Here’s our England Vs France preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Saturday’s massive Six Nations fixture at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
England Vs France Preview
The Six Nations continues this weekend as England host France in Twickenham for ‘Le Crunch’.
England were beaten 27-22 by Ireland in round one. A good first-half performance saw them lead at the break, only for Ireland to show why they are back-to-back champions in the latter stages.
France, meanwhile, hammered Wales 43-0 in Paris in a dominant display.
The best UK rugby betting sites currently have France as heavy favourites for this one, at 1/2. England are 21/10 underdogs despite playing on home turf, showing the size of the task in front of them.
The match kicks off at 16:45 GMT, and you can see how to watch England Vs France here.
England Vs France Team News
England:
Back in #GuinnessM6N action this weekend 👊
Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad to face France at @allianz_stad this Saturday 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 6, 2025
Steve Borthwick makes three changes to this England side after their Dublin defeat.
Fin Smith starts at 10 for the first time, with Marcus Smith moving to fullback as Freddie Steward drops out of the squad.
Tom Willis starts at eight, shifting Ben Earl to openside and Ben Curry onto the bench.
On the wing, Ollie Sleightholme replaces last week’s try-scoring debutant Cadan Murley, with the Harlequins man ruled out due to a foot injury.
Former captain Jamie George comes onto the bench alongside Saracens teammate Elliot Daly.
France:
🏴🇫🇷 Samedi, 17h45, Twickenham Stadium 🏟️
Vos Bleus qui affronteront l’Angleterre 🔥 #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV #ANGFRA pic.twitter.com/HDFmTC5sBp— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 6, 2025
France have been forced into their own change at fly-half after Roman Ntamack’s red card against Wales.
The Toulouse star is replaced by Mathieu Jalibert, with fit-again Bordeaux winger Damian Penaud also returning to the side.
Penaud comes in for Theo Attissogbe, while the rest of the French lineup is unchanged.
England Vs France Confirmed Lineups
England: M Smith; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie,-Stuart, Itoje (capt), Martin, T Curry, Earl, Willis
Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, B Curry, Randall, Daly
France: Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio, Roumat, Meafou, Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Colombe, Auradou, Guillard, Jegou, Le Garrec, Gailleton.
England Vs France Prediction
It will take an almighty performance from England to get much change out of this one. Gone are the days of ‘not knowing which French team will turn up’.
Unlike the olde cliche, this French team turns up and puts in performance after performance, with some of the best players on the planet.
England have the capability to beat France, but we can’t see it happening unless they get extremely lucky with red cards or refereeing decisions.
Prediction: England 21-33 France
