England’s 2025 Six Nations Championship could not get off to a harder start with France at Allianz Stadium hot on the heels of their opening-round defeat against defending champions Ireland in Dublin.

A poor second-half performance ultimately proved costly for Steve Borthwick’s side as they were defeated 27-22. France, meanwhile, inspired by the irrepressible Antoine Dupont cruised to a record opening Six Nations victory against woeful Wales in Paris. Our experts have suggested how England might try and stop the wonderful scrum half.

Former captain Jamie George has been called back into Borthwick’s squad ahead of the match sometimes known as ‘Le Crunch’ as England search for more experience after the wheels came off in Dublin. Click here for more team news.

You can also read Charlie Morgan on why England’s replacements need to up their game, Dan Schofield on Steve Borthwick’s bid to spring on France the biggest surprise since Edward III, and Gavin Mairs’ investigation into the science of the half-time team talk.

When is England v France?

England host France on Saturday, February 8. The match will kick-off 4.45pm (GMT).

It is the second game of round two, sandwiched between Italy v Wales at 2.15pm on Saturday, February 8, and Scotland v Ireland at 3pm on Sunday, February 9.

How to watch England v France on TV?

It will be on ITV1. The BBC and ITV are once again sharing coverage of the Six Nations in the UK. ITV’s star pundit is Eddie Jones, although he seemed curiously subdued on the first weekend.

Where is England v France taking place?

At Twickenham Stadium, often referred to as ‘the Home of Rugby’, and officially now known as the Allianz Stadium for sponsorship reasons. With an 82,000 capacity, it is the world’s largest rugby union stadium, the second largest stadium in the UK, behind Wembley, and the fourth largest in Europe. Construction of the stadium began in 1907 and it was officially opened in 1909. So it has been the home of English rugby for 115 years.

In the build-up to the game Gavin Mairs’ interviewed the Twickenham groundsman, on preparing England’s “16th man”.

My predicted score for England-France

England 19 France 29
France are just too far ahead of England in terms of quality and composure. But it won’t be as bad as two years ago (53-10).

Our team of rugby writers have also made their full predictions for England-France.

Who is the referee?

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referee 2: Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

What is the England team news?

Steve Borthwick has reshuffled his England team for the critical meeting with France this weekend, making three personnel changes to his starting side and dropping Freddie Steward from the squad entirely.

Marcus Smith is moved to full-back with Fin Smith, who came on in the final stages of a 27-22 loss to Ireland, making a maiden Test start at fly-half.

As reported by Telegraph Sport earlier this week, Ollie Sleightholme has come in for Cadan Murley on the wing and Tom Willis, also winning a first Test start, will be at No 8 in a back row that also includes Tom Curry and Ben Earl.

Borthwick has opted for experience on a bench that once again comprises six forwards and two backs, with former captain Jamie George recovering from a hamstring problem to win a 98th cap. The hooker, who comes in for Theo Dan, has been appointed as one of two vice-captains with Ellis Genge

Elliot Daly, another Saracen, who is bound for a 70th cap, will provide backline cover. The 32-year-old has not represented England since starting on the left wing against France in Lyon in the last game of the 2024 Six Nations, a thrilling match that the hosts eventually won 33-31.

Having started at openside flanker in Dublin, Ben Curry moves among the replacements to be alongside George, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Harry Randall and Daly.

Elsewhere, England persist with a starting tight five of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, captain Maro Itoje and George Martin.

There is also continuity at scrum-half, with Alex Mitchell retained, and in midfield as Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade start a 12th Test together in succession as a centre combination.

England team to face France

Starting XV: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge (v-capt), Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje (c), George Martin, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Tom Willis.

Replacements: Jamie George (vc), Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Harry Randall, Elliot Daly.

What is the France team news?

Damian Penaud has recovered from a toe injury to take his place in the France side. The 28-year-old wing, who scored a remarkable six tries on his last appearance of this season for Union Bordeax-Bègles against the Sharks in the Champions Cup, replaces youngster Théo Attissogbé in Fabien Galthié’s starting line-up.

Elsewhere, as forecasted, Matthieu Jalibert takes over from the suspended Romain Ntamack at fly-half and Paul Boudehent is fit to feature at flanker, allowing for an unchanged pack.

Galthié has also deployed the same replacements as he did for the 43-0 thrashing of Wales in round one as he returns to Twickenham for the first time since dismantling Steve Borthwick’s charges to win 53-10 in 2023.

France team to face England

Starting XV: T. Ramos; D.Penaud, P. Barassi, Y. Moefana, L. Bielle-Biarrey; M. Jalibert, A. Dupont; J. Gros, P. Mauvaka, U. Atonio, A. Roumat, E. Meafou, F. Cros, G. Alldritt, P. Boudhent.

Replacements: J. Marchand, C. Baille, G. Colombe, H. Auradou, M. Guillard, O. Jegou, N. Le Garrec, E. Gailleton.

When did England and France last win the Six Nations?

England last claimed the title in 2020. France were winners as recently as 2022.
England’s last Grand Slam was in 2016. France achieved it in 2022, the same year they last lifted the trophy.
England’s last Triple Crown – an accolade awarded to either England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales for beating all the other Home Nations – was in 2020.

What was the score last year?

It was a last-gasp heartbreak for England as they went down 33-31 in Paris. A penalty from the half-way line by Thomas Ramos in the 80th minute snatched what would have been the most significant win of Borthwick’s tenure, and a first against France on French soil since 2016.

What are the latest odds?

• England to win Six Nations: 11/1

• France to win Six Nations: 6/5