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England just sent a shockwave through the Six Nations

kieran crichard
·47-min read
Elliot Daly
Elliot Daly celebrates scoring the try that led to England’s match-winning conversion - REUTERS/Toby Melville

Finally, wonderfully, crazily England somehow found a way to win a game in the final quarter. The neutral may have been wondering how on earth France managed to lose this game, but the Twickenham faithful could not care a jot.

This was a contest to remind us all of the magnificence of the Six Nations Championship, which has been blown wide open as England unearthed a new hero in Fin Smith.

The Northampton fly-half may have endured a nervy opening to his first start but with the game on the line, the 22-year-old emerged heroically as England’s match winner, overshadowing his name-sake Marcus, by creating two second-half tries, for Tommy Freeman, and, ignoring the sheer drama of the final seconds, in sending a sumptuous delayed pass to Elliot Daly for the match-winning try.

By then he had also assumed the kicking duties from Marcus Smith, who had missed with a conversion and penalty attempt in the second half, and landed the match-winning conversion having already added the two points to Fin Baxter’s try in the 70th minute.

Such luminaries as Sir Ian McGeechan had predicted that Fin Smith would emerge as one of the serious contenders for one of the fly-half berths for Andy Farrell ahead of the tour of Australia this summer and the character he showed in delivering when the game was on the line will not have gone unnoticed by the Lions head coach.

“I felt like a rabbit in the headlights in the first half,” admitted Smith. “But I found my feet in the end, and I am delighted with the win more than anything but this is cool for a first start anyway.

“It was back and forth. We have lost plenty of games and luckily this one went our way today. It was far from perfect but that group fought for it.

“We kept giving ourselves another shot and, we got ourselves over the line in the end. Unbelievable atmosphere, I am delighted with that.”

Fin Smith of England runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Pierre-Louis Barassi of France during the Six Nations 2025 match between England and France at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2025
After a slow start Fin Smith rose to the occasion with some crucial contributions in the second half - Getty Images/Alex Davidson

The result will have sent shockwaves across the championship, and one wonders if the real victors of the result are both up in Edinburgh ahead of Sunday’s match between Scotland and Ireland.

But what is certain is that the consequences for England are massive. Steve Borthwick could have found his position in serious jeopardy if his side had gone down to an eighth successive defeat by tier-one opposition.

Instead, his decision to start Fin Smith at fly-half paid rich dividends. Now, with successive home games against Scotland and Italy to come, and a trip to Cardiff in the final round, England have the opportunity to be in contention for the Six Nations title right at the death.

France will be kicking themselves. They had enough chances to win the contest several times over in the first half alone but found a way to squander them. And in that sense, they deserved what they got.

In the face of staggering first-half profligacy – a penalty miss in front of the posts by Thomas Ramos to spilt try-scoring passes by Bielle-Biarre, Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud, England refused to buckle.

It was equally as frantic in the second half, but France looked to have expended a lot of their energy in their first-half efforts and it became much more of a scrap, with this time England’s bench having a decisive impact, buoyed by the experience of Jamie George and Daly.

England had drawn level at the end of the first half with a converted try by Ollie Lawrence, and after two penalties by Ramos, delivered the perfect response when Fin Smith chipped a kick to Tommy Freeman, who had won the restart, for a try straight from the Northampton Saints playbook.

France hit back swiftly with an unconverted try by Penaud. But while remained a six-point game, France were vulnerable.

And so it proved. The lead swapped hands three times in the final 10 minutes as replacement prop Baxter’s try gave England a narrow lead, only Bielle-Biarrey to dance in and seemingly damn England to another defeat.

But this England side are nothing if not full of character. Their resistance grew and Borthwick’s men delivered a stunning coup de grace, with Fin Smith’s pop pass putting Daly into a hole and the replacement held off a despairing Dupont to score close to the posts.

Two years ago, France inflicted a humiliating 53-10 defeat on England. This was a sweet revenge.

France could have led 17-0 in the first half had they taken their chances and even though England struggled for any foothold, their resistance seemed to sap the energy and confidence from France.

“We got the oopsies, didn’t we?” admitted Shaun Edwards, France’s defence coach. “Every time we got near the try-line we seemed to just drop the ball. I’ve never seen that happen before. The French lads are normally magnificent handlers of a rugby ball.”

It has been a long year for England on and off the pitch, but finally their supporters have a reason to believe.

“I have said it all along, we have to keep faith and have trust in these players, who are working really hard,” said Borthwick. “They are going to be a really good team, it’s a young side but as you grow and evolve, unfortunately there are going to be some tough times and tough lessons. You would like everything to happen instantly, but that’s not reality.”

07:16 PM GMT

The try that sealed it for England

07:13 PM GMT

Big victory for England

07:04 PM GMT

Eddie Jones on ITV

“England are on the threshold of being a really good team. What they need to do is take the learnings from today and really reinforce how they handle difficult moments in matches. How they get on the front foot again and not go into their shell.

“Keep being aggressive, keep attacking. It was evident in the second half, they kept going and going and were rewarded. That really aggressive attacking mindset is the way forward for England.”

07:03 PM GMT

England head coach Steve Borthwick speaking to ITV

07:01 PM GMT

Your reaction

07:01 PM GMT

England v France player ratings: Fin Smith shows nerves of steel but Marcus fluffs his lines

Mixed fortunes for the two Smiths tonight. How did our experts view the performances from both sets of players? You can find out right here with our player ratings.

06:59 PM GMT

The thoughts of England captain Maro Itoje

06:59 PM GMT

Great day for the Curry family

Tom, who played the full 80, had a great game like he did last week and Ben had a big impact off the bench.

06:50 PM GMT

Putting their bodies on the line

06:48 PM GMT

How things stand

06:46 PM GMT

Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live

“England needed it. They needed the big win. Nobody saw this coming.

“We have got to be honest, that first half England were lucky as France had so many opportunities, but we have been to too many of these games. You have got to make the most of your opportunities and England did that.

“England looked threatening, they looked dangerous. My goodness, did they have to work for it.”

06:45 PM GMT

What it means

06:44 PM GMT

Data insights from Sage

06:44 PM GMT

Chris Ashton on BBC Radio 5 Live

“There is a lot of pressure on Steve Borthwick. The team have managed to get the job done. He will be so pleased.

“Fin Smith was influential and grew into the game. He had a shaky start, but he did it and he’s managed to take over the kicking role.”

Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman celebrate England's win
Fin Smith’s conversion at the death sealed it for England - Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

06:42 PM GMT

Hats off to you Charlie!

England 26 France 25

This is a hunch based on a few factors. First off, and notwithstanding some supreme individuals such as Peato Mauvaka, Grégory Alldritt and Dupont, I do not think this France team is as good as Ireland without Flament, Ntamack and Ollivon. Next, England are at home. There is a better balance to their bench and more experience to influence the final half-hour, which is where they have been faltering. The hosts will still need slices of luck – a 50-50 refereeing decision here, the bounce of a ball there – but are certainly due a couple of those. Fin Smith and Willis are starting a Test match for the first time, yet have the attributes and the attitude to thrive.

This was the prediction of our very own Charlie Morgan and he absolutely nailed it. Well done Charlie!

06:40 PM GMT

The thoughts of Fin Smith

06:37 PM GMT

Telegraph Reader offer

06:36 PM GMT

Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?

Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.

06:36 PM GMT

How did today’s game affect your Lions team?

Pick your 37-man Lions squad.

06:35 PM GMT

England’s winning moment

06:31 PM GMT

ENGLAND WIN!

They have done it! England just about gather the restart and F Smith then blasts the ball out of play to give England their first win of the 2025 Six Nations. The Allianz Stadium is rocking.

06:29 PM GMT

TRY! Daly over under the posts

England score with just over 60 seconds left! Smith times his pass to Daly to perfection to send him through the gap and over for a massive try for England. F Smith lands the conversion and England lead by one with a matter of second remaining. There will be a restart.

06:29 PM GMT

78 mins: England 19 France 25

Earl and B Curry do brilliantly at the breakdown and win England a crucial penalty just outside the France 22. The kick to touch is not brilliant but England still have a line-out inside the French 22 inside the final two minutes.

06:27 PM GMT

76 mins: England 19 France 25

England win it back straight from the kick-off like they did earlier and are attacking inside the France 22. Lawrence tries to put the kick through to Sleightholme on the left wing but there is too much on the kick and it rolls into touch.

06:25 PM GMT

TRY! Bielle-Biarrey restores France’s lead

England’s lead did not last long. France attack from inside their own half as Dupont finds Penaud down the right. He kicks ahead and England cannot gather. France should really score a bit earlier than they do but they eventually ship it wide to the left where they have numbers and Bielle-Biarrey is the man to score in the corner. The conversion is successful and once again England trail by six.

06:23 PM GMT

73 mins: England 19 France 18

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is ringing around the Allianz Stadium with England in the lead for the first time this evening. These are going to be a nervy final seven minutes.

06:21 PM GMT

TRY! Baxter powers over as England take the lead

England do not waste this chance. They are inches away from the line and, after Mitchell is held up just short, Baxter powers his way over from close range. England do indeed change kickers and F Smith nails the conversion. England take the lead for the first time today with 10 minutes left.

France are creaking here and they only have themselves to blame. England need some composure and a ruthless instinct. Have they found it? A try by Fin Baxter from a line-out move after England win a scrum penalty. Fin Smith takes over the kicking and lands the conversion. England, remarkably, have the lead

06:20 PM GMT

69 mins: England 12 France 18

England win the scrum penalty and F Smith is kicking into the corner. England taking the aggressive option, perhaps influenced by M Smith’s missed kicks today. The kick is great from F Smith and England have the line-out five metres out.

06:19 PM GMT

69 mins: England 12 France 18

After a clever grubber kick ahead from F Smith, Ramos knocks on not far outside the France 22 so a good attacking chance coming up for England.

06:18 PM GMT

68 mins: England 12 France 18

Another dreadful kick from M Smith, who drags a fairly easy kick wide. Should England change kickers for the final 15 minutes and give those duties to F Smith?

06:16 PM GMT

66 mins: England 12 France 18

Slade puts a kick through but Bielle-Biarrey gets back and slides over the dead-ball line to get rid of the danger. However France are offside so England have the penalty.

France make a double change, including Le Garrec coming on for Jalibert so Dupont might be moving out to 10.

England turn down the chance to go to the corner and point to the posts instead.

06:12 PM GMT

63 mins: England 12 France 18

George is put through a gap brilliantly by F Smith and then offloads to T Curry, who is brought down 10 metres out from France’s line. M Smith then drops the ball though and the chance is gone.

Wow. Just the response England needed. Fin Smith to Tommy Freeman, who had won the restart, in a chip kick from the Northampton Saints playbook and the England wing gathered the ball ahead of Louis Bielle-Biarrey for England’s opening try.

France hit back swiftly with an unconverted try by Penaud. But while it remains a six-point game, England will fancy their chances of an upset.

06:11 PM GMT

62 mins: England 12 France 18

England make a couple of changes in the pack as George and Chessum are on.

06:08 PM GMT

TRY! Penaud over in the corner

France respond to England’s try with one of their own. The visitors have it deep in the England 22 and they come to the left, where Bielle-Biarrey passes out to Penaud, who cannot be stopped from going over in the corner. Ramos’ conversion clips the outside of the right post but France’s lead is back up to six points.

06:08 PM GMT

60 mins: England 12 France 13

Just after England had brought the game back to one point, France have a penalty advantage and now have it deep inside the England 22.

06:05 PM GMT

TRY! Freeman responds for England

England have their second of the game and a terrific response from the hosts. Freeman started it by winning the kick-off and finishes it off. His Northampton team-mate F Smith puts up a high crossfield kick and Freeman dominates Bielle-Biarrey in the air. Dupont cannot stop Freeman, who powers over to give England the chance to take the lead but M Smith’s conversion is terrible, meaning England are one point behind as head towards the final quarter.

06:04 PM GMT

56 mins: England 7 France 13

France change their entire front-row as Marchand, Baille and Colombe are on.

France’s mistakes keep coming. They have the lead thanks to a second penalty by Ramos, but England are still in this game. A second penalty by Ramos stretches the lead to six points as we head to the hour mark. Can England find a way to win in the final quarter this time?

06:04 PM GMT

PENALTY FRANCE!

Ramos lands another three and France’s lead is up to six points.

06:03 PM GMT

55 mins: England 7 France 10

France win the penalty at the scrum inside the England half as Baxter is the man penalised. Atonio went down as well but Baxter is the one punished for collapsing the scrum. France go for goal.

06:01 PM GMT

53 mins: England 7 France 10

Ramos tries to pick out Bielle-Biarrey with a crossfield kick but Earl gets back just in time to dot the ball down for a goal-line drop-out.

England have made their second change as B Curry replaces Willis.

England’s six-two split on the bench is really interesting. South Africa tend to pick three backs on the bench in matches where there will be a lot of kicking. According to Rassie Erasmus, that is because players in the back-field need to run – a lot – against sides like France and England. France have a six-two split as well, but it is going to be a pivotal subplot of this second period.

06:00 PM GMT

52 mins: England 7 France 10

France go hard at the breakdown inside their own 22 and Mauvaka is rewarded as he is given the penalty at the ruck. Genge is unhappy that his clear-out was affected by the tackler not rolling away properly.

That is Genge’s last action as he is off to be replaced by Baxter.

A certain presumptuousness from England there, spurning the three points that could have drawn them level and choosing to trust – mistakenly – in their malfunctioning line-out.

05:58 PM GMT

51 mins: England 7 France 10

England win a penalty at the breakdown after good work from Itoje on the France 10-metre line. England could go for goal but are going to the corner. Slade kicks into the France 22.

05:57 PM GMT

PENALTY FRANCE!

Ramos missed an easy penalty in the first half but he makes no mistake this time as he puts France into the lead again.

05:56 PM GMT

48 mins: England 7 France 7

England are offside and France have the penalty just outside the England 22 right in front of the posts. The visitors take the pragmatic decision and point to the posts...

05:51 PM GMT

43 mins: England 7 France 7

France have it just over five metres from the England line through Dupont but T Curry secures a great steal and England clear.

Moments later Bielle-Biarrey goes steaming down the left touchline after stripping the ball from Smith on halfway. It looks like he should go all the way but cuts inside and tries to find Mauvaka inside him in the England 22 but the hooker knocks on to give England a let-off.

As well as those four howlers in the first half, you can add Roumat and now Mauvaka to that list for France.

Extraordinarily lax by France’s standards. They should have had three run-in tries by now, but this time it is Mauvaka’s turn to make a simple handling error, knocking on after Bielle-Biarrey, who finds himself with nowhere to go on the left, pops the ball across. England are seldom going to have a better chance to exact decisive punishment than this.

05:49 PM GMT

42 mins: England 7 France 7

Barassi makes the initial break from just inside the England half and then neatly offloads to Penaud. On the edge of the England 22 Cowan-Dickie has a great opportunity at the breakdown to steal possession but is adjudged to have knocked the ball on. France then knock on through Roumat a few moments later but we go back for the knock on. England have looked up at the big screen and feel there was a kick in there at the ruck where Cowan-Dickie knocked on but France have the scrum. Freeman had been down receiving some treatment but is back on his feet.

05:46 PM GMT

Second half

We are back under way at Allianz Stadium.

05:44 PM GMT

HT thoughts

If you want to have your say, you can in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.

05:43 PM GMT

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05:41 PM GMT

Former England head coach Eddie Jones on ITV

“It has been a fantastic half. England will go into half time pretty happy with themselves. France have missed a couple of opportunities, so England will have to come out after half time and play with the same amount of energy.”

05:37 PM GMT

Half-time team talks are crucial – this is the science behind nailing them

The recent innovation for the broadcasters of the Six Nations to show footage from inside the dressing rooms during half-time of matches gave viewers a glimpse into the differing routines of the Ireland and England squads in Dublin.

Footage showed England’s back line and replacements sitting in an L-shape, being addressed by senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth, as head coach Steve Borthwick looked on. Footage into Ireland’s camp showed a more fluid environment, with players standing or sitting in small groups talking, with Aled Walters, their head of strength and conditioning, at the centre of the scene.

It raised the question of just how important these moments can have on high performance, given how much time and details are devoted to the pre-match preparation.

For more from our chief rugby union correspondent Gavin Mairs, click here.

05:34 PM GMT

Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?

Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.

05:31 PM GMT

Half time

Mitchell kicks the ball out from the back of an England maul inside their own half and we are all square at 7-7 at the break.

05:29 PM GMT

38 mins: England 7 France 7

Penaud is penalised for obstructing Sleightholme on halfway and England can kick towards the France 22. The hosts win the line-out and get it out but T Curry knocks on in contact.

05:27 PM GMT

TRY! Lawrence in under the posts

It looked like England had butchered the chance but they get their first try of the game. The ball hits the ground on a few occasions but Lawrence ends up going over after an offload from Freeman just over five metres out. Lawrence swatted away the attempted tackle from Ramos with a hand-off but there was no stopping the England centre from that close to the line. The conversion is simple and England are back on level terms.

05:26 PM GMT

35 mins: England 0 France 7

England are inches away and have a penalty advantage...

05:25 PM GMT

34 mins: England 0 France 7

After F Smith puts a grubber kick through, France are under huge pressure five metres out. England looked like they were going to win the ball after a great counter-ruck but France keep hold of possession and clear.

England keep it alive and send it out to the right. Freeman powers his way into the France 22 and offloads outside to Mitchell. The scrum-half puts a little kick through before he is tackled but Gros gets back and slides across his line for an England scrum five metres out. Great work-rate from a loosehead prop.

05:23 PM GMT

32 mins: England 0 France 7

Smith makes a great break down the blindside after a clever dummy but the ball eventually goes to ground. England are given the scrum but they want more as they feel Bielle-Biarrey deliberately knocked that ball on as Smith tried to find Freeman outside him.

05:20 PM GMT

TRY! Bielle-Biarrey over for the first score of the night

France have the opening try of the match and you have to say that was coming. They have spurned numerous chances through bad handling but they have a try now. They attack from inside their own half and the ball did hit the ground a few times but the end of this attack has real quality to it. On the edge of the England 22 Penaud puts through a little grubber kick and Bielle-Biarrey is on hand to gather and slide over in the corner. Ramos lands a tough conversion and France take the lead.

It was coming. Finally, France strike, and it is Dupont speed of thought and attacking poise that finally carves England open. A counter-attack by France seemed to have faulted when Mauvaka’s inside pass went to the floor. Dupont’s arching run and inside pass created the space for Penaud, whose delightful chip ahead was gathered by Bielle-Biarrey for the opening try. This could get messy.

05:18 PM GMT

28 mins: England 0 France 0

Lawrence and T Curry are over the ball quickly on England’s 10-metre line and win the hosts a penalty. Slade kicks towards the France 22 but Martin drops Cowan-Dickie’s throw straight to him and the attacking chance is gone for the home side. That was a simple catch and Martin will kick himself for that drop.

05:16 PM GMT

26 mins: England 0 France 0

France have charged down a few kicks, the latest from M Smith, but England scamper to re-gather and clear their lines.

05:15 PM GMT

25 mins: England 0 France 0

This is surely the most profligate that France have been for a long time. That is a missed kick from Ramos; and three dropped passes in the 22 from Bielle-Biarrey, Dupont and now Penaud. Four mistakes from four world-class players.

It will only fuel England’s belief. How is it still 0-0?

It could be 17-0 to France. But worryingly England are struggling for any sort of foothold in the France half. The pace of the contest will test their conditioning as it was in Dublin. Surely France cannot keep squandering a succession of point-scoring opportunities.

05:12 PM GMT

22 mins: England 0 France 0

Another handling error from France, with Penaud the man this time to drop the ball just over five metres out from the England line when the visitors were threatening to score the first try of the game. Had he not dropped that England would have been in trouble. France have made some uncharacteristic errors with their handling so far.

He is human after all. Dupont could not hold what would have been a try-scoring pass by Ramos after a thrilling counterattack by Penaud, who tapped a penalty deep in his 22 after England’s best attacking spell of the game. And what is this? Another shocking handling error by Penaud, with a run to the line in his grasp after a line-out steal by Roumat. Can England make the most of a profligate France?

Of all the people. A horrified, thousand-yard stare from Antoine Dupont as he spills Thomas Ramos’ pass. Then an almost inconceivable drop by Damien Penaud. Coupled with Ramos’ highly uncharacteristic penalty miss, is French sloppiness about to gift England the momentum?

Damian Penaud drops the ball
Another opportunity wasted by the visitors - David Rogers/Getty Images

05:10 PM GMT

21 mins: England 0 France 0

Itoje looks like he is going to win a penalty shortly after Penaud took the penalty quickly. The arm looked like it was out for England but the referee allows play to continue. France make great progress down the left and Ramos has Dupont outside him on the England 22. The France scrum-half has the line in his sights but he knocks on. Not something you see often from Mr. Dupont.

Roumat then steals the line-out inside the England 22 and France have possession.

05:08 PM GMT

20 mins: England 0 France 0

England are five metres out from the France line but Lawrence is penalised for sealing off. France take it quickly...

05:07 PM GMT

19 mins: England 0 France 0

Brilliant work from T Curry, who was fantastic last weekend in a losing cause for England last weekend in Dublin. After Ramos tackled, T Curry clamps down on the breakdown and is rewarded with the penalty. England kick towards the France 22.

05:02 PM GMT

14 mins: England 0 France 0

France make progress towards the England 22 but Penaud knocks on down the right touchline. Then a scuffle breaks out between Penaud and Sleightholme after the latter bumped into the back of the former after the knock on. It would not be Le Crunch without some beef between the players. Referee Nika Amashukeli warns other players not to join in.

Ben Earl is dropping to support his back-field very early, way before Antoine Dupont is crouching to kick. It will be very interesting to see if France look to exploit that, with Dupont spinning away to run into the space…

05:00 PM GMT

12 mins: England 0 France 0

It should have been the first points of the game considering Ramos’ calibre as a goal-kicker but he drags his effort wide of the left post and France miss the first chance to score points in this match.

France are continuing to ask questions of the England defence. It takes a Tom Curry tackle on Alexandre Roumat to force the knock-on in the England 22 after a slick movement by France up the right-hand side this time with Thomas Ramos put into space. But a stunning penalty miss follows by Ramos in front of the posts gives England a let-off.

04:58 PM GMT

11 mins: England 0 France 0

England are caught offside, Genge the guilty party, on their own 10-metre line and France have pointed to the posts...

04:56 PM GMT

10 mins: England 0 France 0

France work it well down their right and Ramos makes the break into the England 22. That was too easy for the visitors. But T Curry steps up with a crucial tackle on Roumat to hit him back and force a knock on. T Curry read that play really well and that was big for England.

04:53 PM GMT

8 mins: England 0 France 0

Freeman attempts to flick the ball back on the France 10-metre line from a high kick but he ends up making contact with Bielle-Biarrey in the air so France are awarded the penalty.

A warning sign for England as France cut loose open up for the first time, busting the defence up the left-hand touchline but Louis Bielle-Biarrey could not hold the pass by Pierre-Louis Barassi. A missed touch by Henry Slade and penalty concession in the air by Tommy Freeman have handed the momentum back to France.

04:52 PM GMT

6 mins: England 0 France 0

The first scrum penalty of the game is awarded to England as France are penalised for collapsing the scrum just outside the England 22. However Slade misses touch with his ambitious kick into the French 22.

An early sign of the pulverising power of these French forwards as George Martin, no mean carrier, is stopped dead in his tracks by Jean-Baptiste Gros. A curious atmosphere inside Twickenham in these early stages: tense, with lashings of dread.

04:50 PM GMT

5 mins: England 0 France 0

France work it down the left and Barassi has space on the left touchline. He has Bielle-Biarrey inside him but he drops the ball. Had the French winger gathered that cleanly England may have been in big trouble.

04:49 PM GMT

3 mins: England 0 France 0

France have the put-in at the first scrum of the match on halfway. After an initial reset, France get the second away and Dupont’s kick nearly finds Penaud on the right wing but it goes into touch. As it hung in the air it looked like Penaud might have got to it but not quite.

04:46 PM GMT

1 min: England 0 France 0

A nervy moment for F Smith as he attempted a chip ahead which is charged down but England are able to re-gather. Not exactly what F Smith would have wanted in these early stages.

Nervous opening for Fin Smith, whose kick is charged down by Gregory Alldritt after Ben Earl had carried back from a long clearance kick from Antoine Dupont.

04:45 PM GMT

Kick-off

We are under way in west London. Can England win their first match of this year’s Six Nations or will France make it two wins from two? The next 80 minutes will tell us. Strap yourselves in for Le Crunch!

There are a LOT of French in town today, all eager to witness another massacre of Les Rosbifs. The announcement of the away side’s starting XV received a louder cheer than the home side’s. No guessing whose name elicited the biggest response (the French No 9). There followed a quite frankly appalling rendition of the Marseillaise which will undoubtedly further fire up the travelling fans. Perhaps the most interesting subplot of today’s game will be seeing if the Twickenham crowd turns on England if they find themselves cut adrift by Les Bleus.

04:38 PM GMT

Anthem time

Both sides emerge from the tunnel at Allianz Stadium. Before the anthems, we will have a moment of silence to remember Tom Voyce, who died at the age of just 43 in December. You could hear a pin drop inside Allianz Stadium, which shows the respect the crowd has shown to the life of Voyce.

Now it is time for the national anthems. “La Marseillaise” followed by “God Save The King”.

04:33 PM GMT

Be bold, England!

Fin Smith has just driven a sweet kick-pass from left to right to Ollie Sleightholme to finish England’s team warm-up. Freddie Steward, running as the opposition, went straight to the fly-half in celebration. Obviously there will be tense and tight periods of this game, perhaps more so given the weather, but you would think that Fin Smith would feel comfortable playing to width early because of his familiarity he shares with Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman. England will have to be bold to break down France, of course.

04:32 PM GMT

Reminder of the teams

England starting XV: 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 starting XV: 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.

04:28 PM GMT

Have your say

04:26 PM GMT

England v France Six Nations predictions: Our experts are divided

England 22 France 21

Impossible as it seems, England can win this game. A lot rests on the shoulders of Fin Smith on his first start, but wise observers including Sir Ian McGeechan see him as a Lions contender. He looks equipped to be the complete fly-half and Marcus Smith, England’s best attacking threat, should benefit from his distribution from the back field. Added to the selection of Ollie Sleightholme on the wing, with Smith at full-back, it is an all-in selection.

The simplicity of the game plan can bring the best out of the players, and there will be greater cohesion in a back line stacked with Northampton Saints players. When they threw off the shackles at the death against Ireland, they scored two tries. They must embrace this mindset from the outset on Saturday. Wales were undone against France by the lack of ball-carrying power, but the addition of Tom Willis to the back row adds to England’s ballast.

If the England pack can hold their own, and the defensive line keep Antoine Dupont in check, there is a chance that France, without Romain Ntamack and the power of Thibaud Flament and Charles Ollivon, are not as connected as they can be.

Which of our experts thinks this is how the match will end? You can find out right here.

04:22 PM GMT

Greasy surface at HQ

Interesting conditions at the ground today. The surface is greasy from some steady rain over the past couple of days and mist is descending, but both sides should be able to move the ball reasonably well. Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith were just with England’s forwards while the outside backs, including Marcus Smith, were going through an attack drill. The Northampton Saints half-backs have now returned to join the rest of the backs in honing their defensive shape. France, meanwhile, are huddled up all together. Around 25 minutes until kick-off.

04:21 PM GMT

Antoine Dupont ‘surprised’ by RFU selection policy: ‘I’m happy at not facing Jack Willis’

Antoine Dupont has admitted his relief at not having to face his Toulouse team-mate Jack Willis when France meet England this weekend.

Willis, one of the best players in France since joining Toulouse, is ineligible for selection along with the rest of England’s players who are based overseas.

Speaking after France’s captain’s run at the Allianz Stadium about the selection policy and the absence of Willis for England, Dupont said: “I’m a bit surprised, but I’m quite happy not to be playing against Jack [Willis] tomorrow. We know the nightmare he is in the ruck area. Their rules are different from ours, and it’s like that for the moment. I don’t think they will change it soon.”

Dupont’s comments followed England captain Maro Itoje, while discussing England’s selection policy regarding overseas players, admitting he would not have been at peace with moving to France a few years ago.

Ben Coles has the full story.

04:17 PM GMT

Time for England replacements to prove they are no ‘Bum Squad’

A trend of flat finishes have been among the easiest threads to tug at over England’s run of losses. Steve Borthwick’s charges are currently on a sequence of seven consecutive defeats against opponents from the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship. Remarkably, in four of those matches, they have failed to score a single point in the final quarter.

Without two late and rather charitable tries in Dublin, which could not distract from how Ireland so conspicuously found another gear when the game was on a knife edge, that statistic would have grown even more grisly.

England have dismissed concerns over their fitness, but that is an obvious place to start any inquest. Then one could question the team’s psychological strength and tactical pliability. But, undeniably, the bench is another crucial area for Borthwick to fix.

Charlie Morgan gives his thoughts on England’s bench.

04:11 PM GMT

Picnics

Fans at Allianz Stadium having picnics ahead of the game
Fans at Allianz Stadium enjoying their grub despite the miserable conditions in west London - David Davies/PA

04:09 PM GMT

All over in Rome

Italy have sealed victory at home against Wales, winning 22-15. Yet another defeat for Warren Gatland’s men. You can follow all the reaction to that match right here.

04:07 PM GMT

Calm before the storm

Ben Earl and Jamie George chatting on the bench prior to the match
Time for a chat before the match - Dan Mullan/Getty Images

04:03 PM GMT

England cannot possibly contain France – which is why Borthwick has rolled the dice

The selection of Fin Smith and Marcus Smith in the England back line is not a horses-for-courses selection to face France, it is a sign that head coach Steve Borthwick is doubling down on his high-pace, high-risk strategy.

After seven successive defeats against tier-one nations, England are desperate for a victory, by whatever means possible.

The conservative approach would have been to turn to the experience of the likes of George Ford and Elliot Daly, but the truth is that England cannot hope to contain France. The England pack does not possess the heft or firepower to do so.

For more from our chief rugby union correspondent Gavin Mairs, click here.

03:56 PM GMT

Imanol Harinordoquy: I don’t regret saying I disliked the English

The WhatsApp profile picture of Imanol Harinordoquy is a mugshot of Darth Vader and, as I find out towards the end of our rendezvous in a Parisian café, his ringtone is The Imperial March.

Harinordoquy, dressed almost all in black, is also a dead ringer for the Sith Lord (without the mask, somewhat ironically given one of the most iconic images of the Frenchman’s career is him wearing one). The 44-year-old takes pleasure in playing up to a caricature of villainy and, over the course of 12 years and 82 caps on the French back row, controversy and notoriety were never far from Harinordoquy’s door.

Whether that was his father, watching his son play for Biarritz, leaping from the stands to punch a Bayonne player in the Basque derby; the Zorro-esque mask worn in the 2010 Heineken Cup semi-final and final; or when, in 2003, ahead of his first trip to Twickenham to face England, Harinordoquy revealed that he was not too fond of the English. There is a chance that this interview could be hard work...

Charles Richardson has the exclusive interview from Paris.

03:44 PM GMT

Strap yourselves in for the Fin Smith era, England fans

When he emerges from the Allianz Stadium tunnel on Saturday afternoon for his first start as England fly-half, Fin Smith will have countless well-wishers. Already, at 22, he has had a positive influence on many people. Indeed, testimonies of his character read like an advert for the ideal son-in-law.

“A calm, composed, quality player” was how Maro Itoje described Smith on Thursday afternoon. The England captain spoke of “assertiveness” and sound decision-making too, then paused a moment. “He’s just a performer,” Itoje said with a shrug, emanating an easy confidence in his new number 10.

If you find out most about a man when they are in adversity, it is worth rewinding two and a half years. Barely out of his teens, Smith was part of a Worcester Warriors squad wracked by uncertainty and distress as the club’s financial problems were biting. Multiple sources remain in awe of his leadership during those dark days.

The “young pup” sat in on meetings with director of rugby Steve Diamond and other senior players, asking proactive questions before relaying matters to his colleagues. “While going through the mess, he wanted to help others,” remembers one insider. “He appreciated the bigger picture of how it affected staff, fans – everyone.”

Our senior rugby writer Charlie Morgan has his say on the Northampton fly-half.

Fin Smith arrives with the England team at Allianz Stadium
Fin Smith gets his shot starting at 10 today for England - Paul Childs/Reuters

03:40 PM GMT

French fans enjoying London

French fans outside Allianz Stadium
France will be looking to replicate their emphatic win in this stadium from two years ago - Andrew Matthews/PA

03:36 PM GMT

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03:30 PM GMT

Wild and wacky ways England can (try to) keep Antoine Dupont quiet

‘Mark him with three defenders’

When England faced the prospect of coming up with a defensive strategy to stop Jonah Lomu before the 1995 World Cup semi-final, a sense of collective pride meant that no one could admit they might need help tackling the great man. And look how that worked out. Stopping Dupont is arguably an even more daunting challenge because the threats Dupont poses are multifold.

Pre-emptive work is key here. The England defenders are going to have to run and run all afternoon, more often than not chasing shadows to track his trail line to limit his offloading game. While the team of ’95 went one-on-one on Lomu, England may consider marking Dupont with three defenders to force him to make a decision on the back foot and without space. And keep their fingers crossed.

Which of our experts would use three defenders to mark Dupont? You can find out right here.

France scrum-half Antoine Dupont arriving at Allianz Stadium
Mr. Dupont in the house - David Rogers/Getty Images

03:26 PM GMT

Hosts arriving at HQ

03:22 PM GMT

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03:18 PM GMT

Full team news

England have made three changes from their defeat to Ireland on the opening weekend. Fin Smith has been picked at fly-half with Marcus Smith switching to full-back. Ollie Sleightholme comes in for the injured Cadan Murley on the wing. Tom Willis is at number eight in the only other change to the starting XV, as Ben Earl moves to open-side flanker and Ben Curry drops to the bench. Former captain Jamie George returns from injury and, along with the versatile Elliot Daly, is on the bench. Freddie Steward, who started at full-back in last weekend’s defeat by Ireland, drops out of the matchday squad entirely.

England starting XV: 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 make two changes to their starting XV from the win over Wales. Romain Ntamack is suspended after his red card against Wales on opening night so Matthieu Jalibert replaces him at fly-half. Damian Penaud, who missed the win over Wales due to injury, is back and starts on the wing.

France starting XV: 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.

03:13 PM GMT

Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?

Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.

03:11 PM GMT

Meanwhile in Rome

The weather is filthy out in Rome but the home fans will not be complaining. Italy lead Wales 16-3 at half time and you can follow all the action from the second half right here.

03:08 PM GMT

Borthwick out to spring biggest surprise on France since Edward III

There has been an understandable reluctance bordering on a collective amnesia within the England camp to confront the reality of France’s last visit to Twickenham.

“We haven’t mentioned it, actually,” Henry Slade, the centre, said earlier this week. “It’s a very different squad, and it’s a very different team to who played that weekend. That’s the first time I’ve thought about it actually.” Another survivor from that game, captain Maro Itoje, appears to have had his mind wiped by one of those flashing devices from the Men In Black films.

So as a public service announcement, let the record show that the last time Antoine Dupont and company came to town they ran in seven tries with almost embarrassing ease to inflict a 53-10 defeat, a record home loss in 154 years of English rugby history. No wonder a form of PTSD has emerged among the survivors where either it has been entirely forgotten or deemed a minor scrape rather than a deep scar.

For more from our deputy rugby union correspondent Daniel Schofield, click here.

03:00 PM GMT

France team news

02:59 PM GMT

England team news

02:58 PM GMT

Le Crunch!

England host France at Allianz Stadium in round two of the 2025 Six Nations aiming to claim their first win in this year’s competition as Anglo-French rivalries are renewed. The hosts’ campaign began in defeat, falling to a 27-22 loss in Ireland last weekend. That loss means that against tier one nations, England have now suffered seven straight defeats and their only two victories since the end of last year’s Six Nations have both come against Japan. Since winning the Six Nations in 2020, England have just nine wins from 20 games. Steve Borthwick, who has suffered 15 defeats in his 29 games in charge of England, has made the decision to bring Fin Smith in at fly-half and move Marcus Smith from 10 to 15, meaning last week’s full-back Freddie Steward drops out of the matchday squad entirely. Borthwick has explained his thinking with that decision.

“I think he [Marcus Smith] is a game-changer,” Borthwick said. “He is a player who can do things very few in the world can do. And I want him to bring all those natural instincts [to] an England shirt. Whether he starts with No 10 or No 15 on his back, nothing changes. I want those natural instincts on the pitch. He sees space that others do not. He has an ability to find gaps in defences that most people do not know are there. That is exactly what I want him to bring this weekend.

Marcus Smith during England's Captain's Run
One Smith at full-back - David Rogers/Getty Images

“I was chatting with Marcus [on Wednesday night] and he was tremendously excited about Saturday. He was excited about the feeling of playing with Fin Smith. He was feeling exhilarated about the opportunities of those two ball-players and the space they could find. Then the tactical battle that we face with France. France are a brilliantly smart tactical team, so one of the challenges both Fin and Marcus have is ensuring that we get on top of that battle.

“Fin’s kicking game is very, very accurate. Early this season, we had Fin at 30 tackles in a game for Northampton. It tells you a lot about his personality – he is tough, he is brave. When players see a fly-half willing to defend like that, they have immense respect for him. So we can talk all about those different skill sets, which he certainly has, he is an elite player, but he is also a very tough, brave young man.”

Fin Smith during England's Captain's Run
Another Smith at full-back - Paul Childs/Reuters

France kicked off this year’s Six Nations campaign in style, hammering Wales 43-0 in the tournament opener. They have lost just one of their last 11 Tests, winning the last four, and have won six of their last seven away games in the Six Nations. France are aiming to win their fourth straight Six Nations game against England. The last time these sides met at Twickenham was a chastening day for England fans. France destroyed England 53-10, which was France’s biggest margin of victory against England and England’s record home defeat. Borthwick is aware of the challenge facing his side this afternoon.

“We have all seen it,” Borthwick said. “The clubs have plenty of experience playing against the French clubs over the last period and there have been one or two tough experiences. That is something we have acknowledged, and are ensuring that the players have learnt from those experiences.

“We aim to go and play. We know there is a physical challenge and there is also a great tactical challenge. We are setting the team up to play tactically the way we want them to, to be physically ready, and then the third thing – and I will say this very clearly – I want the players to go and attack.”

England’s Under-20’s claimed victory over France in Bath last night so can the senior side follow suit? Kick-off is at 4.45pm.