France vs England Prediction and Betting Tips: Two picks for Six Nations Clash
England’s victory over Six Nations leaders Ireland has given the Red Rose an outside chance of winning their first championship title since 2020, although their slim hopes will likely be extinguished by the time they kick off against France on Saturday.
That said, Steve Borthwick's men can end the spring on a positive note against a French side who have largely underwhelmed.
France have failed to offer much of a title charge despite losing just one of their four fixtures, and the absence of star half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack has, for the most part, blunted their attack.
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Team news
Following their 45-24 victory over Wales last weekend, France head coach Fabien Galthie names an unchanged starting 15 and bench for their meeting with England in Lyon.
Nolann Le Garrec again starts at scrum-half after his starring role against the Welsh, with captain Gregory Alldritt leading from the base of the scrum.
England are forced into one change, with winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso unavailable after reporting concussion symptoms earlier in the week.
He is replaced by Saracens centre Elliott Daly, who is promoted from the bench, while Sale star Manu Tuilagi is named on the bench for his first matchday squad inclusion of the tournament.
Line-ups
France: Barre; Penaud, Fickou, Depoortere, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos, Le Garrec; Baille, Marchand, Atonio; Flament, Meafou, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt (c)
Bench: Mauvaka, S. Taofifenua, Colombe, R. Taofifenua, Roumat, Boudehent, Lucu, Moefana
England: Furbank; Daly, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; Ford, Care; Genge, George (c), Cole; Itoje, Martin; Chessum, Underhill, Earl
Bench: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Roots, Dombrandt, Care, Smith, Tuilagi
France vs England Tips
England to win by one to five points (6/1 with William Hill)
England's last win away to France in the Six Nations came back in 2016, but they could snap that losing streak across the Channel against a Les Bleus side who have failed to fire this year.
A damaging 38-17 defeat to Ireland on the championship's opening night was followed by a controversial 20-16 victory in Scotland - the Scots had a last-gasp try harshly ruled out - and France then drew 13-13 with regular wooden spoon recipients Italy.
That should give confidence to England, who possess the quality to hurt any team on their day. However, with their three victories in this year's Six Nations coming by no more than three points, it is sure to be close in Lyon.
Gael Fickou to score a try (5/2 with William Hill)
No player in France's squad has been capped more times than Gael Fickou, who will run out for his 90th Les Bleus appearance on Saturday.
The 29-year-old tops France's try-scoring charts in this year's championship and, at 5/2, looks a decent price to add to his two scores in Lyon.
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