Le Crunch returns to Twickenham this week as England host France in what promises to be a blockbuster clash.
France, who started their campaign in sensational fashion against Wales last week, will have fond memories from their last trip to London, when they thrashed England 53-10.
Last week’s loss in Dublin means England are in dire need of a win to get their tournament going.
Here is everything you need to know about Saturday’s clash.
Key details:
When: Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4.45 p.m. UK
Where: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
How to watch: You can wach live on the ITV (UK). You can also follow along with live updates on ESPN.
Officials: Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
Television Match Official: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Lineups:
England: Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Tom Curry, Tom Willis, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith.
Replacements: Jamie George, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-Smith, Ben Curry, Harry Randall, Elliot Daly.
France: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafo, Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont (captain), Matthieu Jalibert, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana, Pierre-Louis Barassi Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickael Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Team news:
England: Fin Smith will start at fly-half against France, with Marcus Smith moving to fullback. Freddie Steward, who started at 15 against Ireland, has dropped out of the squad.
Tom Willis has been named to start at flanker alongside Tom Curry and Ben Earl in the back-row, with Ben Curry moving to the bench. Ollie Sleightholme comes on to the wing in place of Cadan Murley, who sustained a foot injury against Ireland last week.
France: After removing himself from the squad during last year’s November internationals, Matthieu Jalibert returns at fly-half in place of the suspended Romain Ntamack.
Jalibert, seemingly unhappy with being a second-choice No. 10 in November, returned to club side Bordeaux, but has set aside any differences with coach Fabien Galthié to start against England. Winger Damian Penaud returns to the side after overcoming a toe injury.
Information from Reuters contributed to the team news of this report.
1:03
England suffer biggest home defeat vs. France
Relive three classic Six Nations games between England and France ahead of their clash at the Twickenham this weekend.
– Tom Hamilton’s analysis from Dublin: Another painful case of déjà vu for England
– James Regan’s take from Paris: Antoine Dupont produces virtuoso display
– NEWS: England winger Cadan Murley ruled out of France clash
– WATCH: Is Ireland’s Caelan Doris nailed on to be Lions captain?
– Six Nations and Women’s Six Nations: Full fixture list