France v England predictions and rugby union tips: Crunch time for Les Bleus

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for France v England in the Six Nations.

Where to watch

ITV & RTE 2, 8pm Saturday

Best bet

Under 47 points
3pts Evs bet365
France to win by one to 12 points
2pts 7-4 Betfair

Match preview

England head to Paris looking to play the role of Slam-busters by denying France a clean sweep, and although that looks a tall order the signs are that this could be quite a battle.

France have looked a team reborn this year with outstanding fluency and cutting edge in attack, and they are just 4-11 to claim the victory they need to seal their first Grand Slam since 2010.

But their serene progress was interrupted in Cardiff last week when they were made to work hard by a dogged Wales side, who closed them down at every opportunity before being pipped 13-9.

That performance offers a blueprint for England, who despite suffering a record Twickenham defeat to Ireland last week look ready to front up to France and drag them into the kind of arm-wrestle they faced in Wales last week.

England have struggled in attack throughout this tournament and their chances against Ireland last weekend looked scuppered when forward Charlie Ewels was sent off less than two minutes in.

But curiously that setback forced England to fall back on their traditional strengths of defence, set-piece and close-quarters combat, and those are the areas where they can take on Les Bleus.

Sam Underhill comes into the back row in place of the injured Tom Curry and his work at the breakdown could be key in stopping France getting on the front foot, just as it was against New Zealand in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Wales took on the French kicking game by kicking long themselves, opting for territory rather than trying to run the ball through a fearsome France defence.

England coach Eddie Jones has made the surprise move of starting George Furbank at full-back, with Freddie Steward moving to the wing, to combat that kicking game.

It's a reactive move and it seems unlikely that the England attack will suddenly click against such a powerful defence. Five of England's tries in this tournament came against Italy, while they managed just one each against Scotland and Wales and were unable to cross the line against Ireland last week.

France did not concede a try in Cardiff in round three and, given the high stakes and the tension that is sure to be felt, the signs point to a low-scoring match. Only two of the 11 Six Nations meetings between these sides in Paris have reached the 47-point mark.

This is also a match of fine margins, whatever the relative strengths of both teams going into the game. England are given an eight-point start, their biggest in this fixture since 2012 when they were given an identical handicap and stunned the French 24-22.

It would take something huge for England to win on Saturday night but ten of the 11 Paris encounters in the Six Nations have been decided by fewer than 12 points and a France victory in that range looks a solid bet.

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