Six Nations: England v France betting preview, tips and match details

TV: ITV & Virgin One, 3pm Sunday

Just one match into the Six Nations England find themselves tournament favourites with three home games ahead of them, starting with the visit of the frustrating French.

France showed in last week's defeat to Wales just why they are saddled with a reputation of being mercurial and unpredictable.

In the first half they overcame wet conditions to play with pace and ambition, scoring two tries to take a 16-0 lead.

But after the break they lost their way entirely and handed victory - almost literally - to Wales through a series of errors. They lacked direction, made poor decisions and seemed to lose heart completely.

England coach Eddie Jones has acknowledged the unpredictability of Les Bleus, saying this week: "It's really hard to prepare tactically against them so we've had a real focus on ourselves."

And if England are going to write their own script it makes sense for them to aim to continue a run of lightning starts.

Winger Jonny May crossed for England’s first try against Ireland inside two minutes, and that followed a pattern set in their previous three autumn Tests. May was again the scorer, after three minutes this time, against Australia, scrum-half Danny Care was the man against Japan in a similar time frame, while Chris Ashton made the massive breakthrough against New Zealand, grabbing a try inside two minutes.

Ashton and May are the starting wingers against France, Ashton stepping up from the bench in place of Jack Nowell. “We think he might sneak us a try early in the game," was the reasoning England coach Eddie Jones offered for the switch, and although it’s always possible that the wily Aussie is bluffing, it’s a ploy that would make good sense.

France picked a bulky team against Wales and have bolstered the physicality of their backline by recalling battering-ram centre Mathieu Bastareaud. England may well look to move the French players around and kick behind them to turn and tire them. May and Ashton would be the obvious chasers to cash in, but full-back Elliot Daly touched down against Ireland after chasing his own kick.

England went ahead early with a rehearsed move in that match, throwing a long line-out to Manu Tuilagi which set up the first try, and given the value of an early try against a team renowned for folding under pressure, it would make perfect sense to plot another fast strike.

It's 9-4 that England again open the scoring with a try, and while the 15-2 that Ashton is the man to score it is tempting given Jones's comments, the even money that a back-three player - from either team - provides the opening five-pointer is a safer option.

The handicap has been pushed up a couple of points following France's implosion last week and most firms ask England to cover a 13 or 14-point line, the same figure as when the teams last met at Twickenham two years ago.

England edged it 19-16 that day and their record at home to France in the Six Nations is eight victories and one defeat. Five of those wins have come by ten points or fewer.

Recommendations
England try first scoring play
2pts 9-4 BoyleSports
Number 11, 14 or 15 to score first try
2pts Evs Betfair, Paddy Power

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