Both France and England hope to step out on the pitch within the 2024 Six Nations finale nonetheless with an opportunity to raise the trophy.
The Red Rose’s barnstorming win over Ireland final weekend left the door ajar for themselves, plus Les Bleus and Scotland, to sneak in and trigger one of many greatest last-day shocks within the match’s historical past.
Of course, Ireland are heavy favourites to slam that door shut earlier than kick-off in Lyon after they face the Scots in Dublin within the early night begin on Saturday.
Should Scotland defeat the Irish, significantly with out letting them seize a significant bonus level, then the race will probably be on to grab first place on the loss of life.
France enter the final weekend having recently piled on the factors in opposition to a weak Wales crew and drawn with Italy, whereas England have battled with inconsistencies of their very own.
France vs England takes place on Saturday March 16, 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm GMT.
The match will probably be held at Groupama Stadium in Lyon.
England sit second forward of the ultimate weekend
Action Images through Reuters
TV channel: France vs England is being broadcast stay and free-to-air within the UK on ITV1, with protection starting at 7.20pm after the conclusion of Ireland vs Scotland from Dublin on the identical channel.
Live stream: A stay stream service may be accessed totally free on-line through the ITVX app and ITVX web site.
Live weblog: Follow the sport stay with Standard Sport’s match weblog, that includes knowledgeable evaluation from our rugby correspondent Nick Purewal in France.
Fabien Galthie’s gamble of handing Emmanuel Meafou, Nicolas Depoortere and Leo Barre their debuts in opposition to Wales paid off and Nolann Le Garrec ought to proceed after a formidable outing at scrum-half.
Jonathan Danty stays banned for Les Bleus following his purple card in opposition to Italy.
However, the Red Rose have acquired a lift by welcoming Henry Slade again to coaching after he was taken off through the Ireland win.
Freddie Steward, Will Muir and Tom Roebuck are all making their case to enter the squad however Borthwick is prone to choose an analogous beginning line-up to that which triumphed at Twickenham.
That mentioned, Marcus Smith’s match-winning cameo might result in his return at No10 with George Ford’s place beneath menace after his poor kicking show.
Both groups are on account of identify their respective matchday squads later this week. Check again in then to see each line-ups in full.
France have had their ups and downs on this match
Getty Images
England have been crushed 53-10 by France in final yr’s Six Nations to finish a seven-game streak of the house crew profitable this fixture. That additionally stands as the biggest margin of victory within the fixture’s historical past.
Danny Care and Dan Cole ran in early tries when the Red Rose final received on French soil, as they wrapped up a grand slam within the 2016 match.
This match presents a giant query as to which of those groups is the actual deal, which might stake their declare to be Ireland’s greatest challenger in subsequent yr’s Six Nations.
A shock in Dublin would swing the door open however in any other case that is anticipated to be a combat to be better of the remainder, and maybe one or either side would battle to encourage themselves if the final lingering hope of lifting the trophy is taken from them moments earlier than kick-off.
Replicating the win over Ireland will set England up because the favourites in opposition to a porous French facet however Borthwick has struggled to get his crew firing away from Twickenham of late. Such inconsistency of their sport might result in this chance passing them by.
France to win, by 5 factors.
France to raise the Six Nations: 150/1
England to raise the Six Nations: 25/1
Odds through Paddy Power (topic to vary).
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