Six Nations live France vs England: Six Nations result as Ireland win first title since 2015
Follow the latest from the fourth round of the 2018 Six Nations championship
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England will look to get their Six Nations championship defence back on track on Saturday evening as they take on France in the latest instalment of “Le Crunch”, looking to make up for their shock defeat by Scotland last time out.
That 25-13 defeat in Edinburgh has put Ireland in pole position for the title, having won all three of their games so far, but with England and Ireland due to meet on the final weekend of the tournament, Eddie Jones’ side at least know that their fate remains in their own hands if they can beat France.
They will have to do so without captain Dylan Hartley though, with the hooker ruled out with a calf injury, meaning that Jamie George is handed his first Six Nations start and Exeter’s Luke Cowan-Dickie is named on the bench. While it is the only change in the pack, England’s back line looks very different as outside stand-in captain Owen Farrell is Ben Te’o, fit-again Elliot Daly and Jonny May, with Anthony Watson moving to full-back and Mike Brown dropped.
France meanwhile make just one change to the side that beat Italy a fortnight ago, with Toulon fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc recalled in place of Lionel Beauxis as Jacques Brunel’s third starting No 10 in four matches
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
What time does it start?
France vs England kicks off at the Stade de France at 16:45 GMT (17:45 CET).
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BBC One from 16:00 GMT.
Teams
France: Hugo Bonneval; Benjamin Fall, Mathieu Bastareaud, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Remy Grosso; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani; Paul Gabrillagues, Sebastien Vahaamahina; Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Marco Tauleigne.
Replacements: Adrien Pelissie, Dany Priso, Cedate Gomes Sa, Romain Taofifenua, Kelian Galletier, Baptiste Couilloud, Lionel Beauxis, Gael Fickou.
England: Anthony Watson; Jonny May, Ben Te’o, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Danny Care; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Maro Itoje; Courtney Lawes, Chris Robshaw, Nathan Hughes.
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's Six Nations live blog, brought to you pitchside at the Stade de France where England take on France.
However, the big news is already in this afternoon, as Ireland's 28-8 victory over Scotland that just this minute finished in Dublin has seen the Six Nations leaders record a bonus point that puts them on the cusp of winning the title TODAY, should England fail to do the same against Les Bleus this evening to maintain a mathematical chance of stopping the Irish next weekend.
With Ireland leading the table by 10 points, only a bonus-point victory will do for England if they are to stand any chance of retaining the title that they've won each year under Eddie Jones.
With that first result of the weekend in the bag, here's now what we know:
- Only Ireland and England can win the Six Nations title
- Ireland will win the title today if England fail to beat France with a bonus point
- England will kick off the match 10 points behind Ireland in the table
- The two sides are split by 49 points difference in Ireland's favour
- Ireland can win the Grand Slam next weekend if they beat England
Here's how the two sides line up today:France: Hugo Bonneval; Benjamin Fall, Mathieu Bastareaud, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Remy Grosso; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani; Paul Gabrillagues, Sebastien Vahaamahina; Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Marco Tauleigne.
Replacements: Adrien Pelissie, Dany Priso, Cedate Gomes Sa, Romain Taofifenua, Kelian Galletier, Baptiste Couilloud, Lionel Beauxis, Gael Fickou.
England: Anthony Watson; Jonny May, Ben Te’o, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Danny Care; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Maro Itoje; Courtney Lawes, Chris Robshaw, Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, James Haskell, Sam Simmonds, Richard Wigglesworth, Jonathan Joseph, Mike Brown.
Eddie Jones did not hold back in talking up the challenge that his side faces today - which has just got a lot harder, by the way, as England have not scored four tries against France in the Six Nations era.
Here's what the head coach had to say:
No repeat of the tunnel incident seen at Murrayfield as England head back into the changing rooms alone, with France running through a lengthy practice run before heading in soon after.
The players are starting to drip into the tunnel as the fans flood into the Stade de France, with thousands of French Tricolors flying in the air among the partisan home crowd - who interestingly booed Owen Farrell when the teams were just read out.
Not long to go...
And here they come! Lead out by Guilhem Guirado and, for the first time, Owen Farrell, here are France and England!
Time for the anthems...
2 mins: England seal the kick-off and give possession away with a Care box kick, and immediately France break! Tauleigne breaks through the English line and floats a long pass out to Grosso, but the pass to the No 8 is forwards and we come back for an English scrum on the French 10m. A let-off for the visitors.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments