England vs France Preview & Prediction | 2025 Six Nations Championship

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France’s last trip to Twickenham two years ago resulted in a 53-10 victory for Les Bleus, so England will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself when the two face off for ‘Le Crunch’ on Saturday.

Start date/time: Saturday 8th February, 2025: UK – 4:45pm / US ET – 11:45am / US PT – 8:45am

How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – ITVX / US – Peacock

England Form: Faltering Lions

England started well against Ireland last week, and were ahead at the break, but the reigning champions showed their class in the second half to take control of the game in Dublin, eventually winning 27-22.

The visitors did at least secure a losing bonus point late on but it is now a sixth defeat in seven matches for Steve Borthwick, whose side now face the unenviable task of taking on the tournament favourites.

Last Five: LLLWL

France Form: Promising start

France lived up to their pre-tournament billing as the team to beat in this year’s Six Nations by thumping a sorry Wales 43-0 in Paris last Friday, with star man Antoine Dupont running the show and underlining his status as the best player in world rugby right now.

After winning this fixture in 2022, 2023 and 2024, France are aiming to beat England for the fourth time in a row – a feat they haven’t managed since the late 90s.

Last Five: LWWWW

England Team News: Fin Smith picked at ten

Squad: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Tom Curry, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly

France Team News: Two changes from Wales victory

Squad: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 François Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros

Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickaël Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Émilien Gailleton

England vs France Prediction

France’s win to nil against Wales last week in their Six Nations opener in an ominous sign for England, who welcome France to Twickenham for the first time since their record home defeat two years ago (10-53).

Led by the inspirational Dupont, France look in confident mood right now and possess all the tools necessary to dismantle the England defence, with the hosts still struggling to find their groove under Steve Borthwick.

England will surely be more competitive than Wales were, but it may still not be enough to stem to the tide of the French onslaught.

England vs France Tip: France to win