England face last year’s Grand Slam winners France at Twickenham in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.
Both sides have one loss and two wins to their name ahead of the clash and will each still be harbouring outside hopes of ending the Six Nations as winners.
England beat Wales in Cardiff in their last match, while France came out on top in an exciting clash with Scotland in Paris.
When and where is England v France?
England will face France at Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday, March 11. The match will kick off at 4.45pm (GMT).
The other fixtures that weekend are Italy v Wales in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon at 2.15pm on the Saturday, and Scotland v Ireland at 3pm on Sunday, March 12.
What TV channel is England v France on?
The match will be broadcast live on both ITV1 and BBC One.
Who is the referee?
Kiwi Ben O’Keeffe will take charge of England v France – his first and only appointment as referee of the Six Nations.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Latest team news
England
George Ford has been released back to Sale for this weekend’s round of Premiership matches with Marcus Smith set to return for a sensational return to the starting XV against France on Saturday.
Smith’s man-of-the-match display for Harlequins against Exeter last weekend combined with his reported excellence in training appear to have tilted the scale in his favour and away from Owen Farrell.
However, even if he doesn’t start, it is understood that Farrell will play a vital role for the side from the bench.
Elsewhere, England have been hit by a big blow with Courtney Lawes ruled out of the clash at Twickenham this weekend with injury.
Lawes was expected to captain the side if Farrell started the game on the bench but in his absence, it appears Ellis Genge is the most likely candidate to lead the side.
England’s 27-man squad in full
Forwards
O Chessum, D Cole, B Curry, A Dombrandt, B Earl, E Genge, J George, N Isiekwe, M Itoje, L Ludlam, D Ribbans, K Sinckler, M Vunipola, J Walker, J Willis
Backs
H Arundell, O Farrell, O Lawrence, M Malins, J Marchant, A Mitchell, H Slade, M Smith, F Steward, M Tuilagi, J van Poortvliet, A Watson
France
France will be without flanker Anthony Jelonch for the trip to Twickenham after the 26-year-old ruptured his knee ligament in the win over Scotland in Paris.
The visitors are also likely to be without prop Mohamed Haouas, who was sent off for a shoulder charge on Scotland scrum-half Ben White.
What happened in this fixture in 2022?
France beat England 25-13 in their final game of last year’s Six Nations to secure a Grand Slam in front of their home fans in Paris.
Gael Fickou, Francois Cros and man-of-the-match Antoine Dupont all crossed for the hosts, who proved too much for England despite a try from Freddie Steward.
The Six Nations 2023 table – as it stands
Best of the latest odds
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England: 5/4
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Draw: 22/1
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France: 8/11
Odds correct as of March 8
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