France vs England, Six Nations 2024: Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, h2h, odds
Both France and England hope to step out on the pitch in the 2024 Six Nations finale still with a chance to lift the trophy.
The Red Rose’s barnstorming win over Ireland last weekend left the door ajar for themselves, plus Les Bleus and Scotland, to sneak in and cause one of the biggest last-day shocks in the tournament’s history.
Of course, Ireland are heavy favourites to slam that door shut before kick-off in Lyon when they face the Scots in Dublin in the early evening start on Saturday.
Should Scotland defeat the Irish, particularly without letting them grab a vital bonus point, then the race will be on to snatch first place at the death.
France enter the last weekend having lately piled on the points against a weak Wales team and drawn with Italy, while England have battled with inconsistencies of their own.
France vs England date, kick-off time and venue
France vs England takes place on Saturday March 16, 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm GMT.
The match will be held at Groupama Stadium in Lyon.
England sit second ahead of the final weekend
Action Images via Reuters
How to watch France vs England
TV channel: France vs England is being broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7.20pm after the conclusion of Ireland vs Scotland from Dublin on the same channel.
Live stream: A live stream service can be accessed for free online via the ITVX app and ITVX website.
Live blog: Standard Sport’s match blog, featuring expert analysis from our rugby correspondent Nick Purewal in France.
France vs England team news
Fabien Galthie’s gamble of handing Emmanuel Meafou, Nicolas Depoortere and Leo Barre their debuts against Wales paid off and Nolann Le Garrec should continue after an impressive outing at scrum-half.
Jonathan Danty remains banned for Les Bleus following his red card against Italy.
However, the Red Rose have received a boost by welcoming Henry Slade back to training after he was taken off during the Ireland win.
Freddie Steward, Will Muir and Tom Roebuck are all making their case to enter the squad but Borthwick is likely to pick a similar starting line-up to that which triumphed at Twickenham.
That said, Marcus Smith’s match-winning cameo could lead to his return at No10 with George Ford’s place under threat after his poor kicking display.
France vs England lineups
Both teams are due to name their respective matchday squads later this week. Check back in then to see both line-ups in full.
France have had their ups and downs in this tournament
France vs England head to head (h2h) history and results
England were crushed 53-10 by France in last year’s Six Nations to end a seven-game streak of the home team winning this fixture. That also stands as the largest margin of victory in the fixture’s history.
Danny Care and Dan Cole ran in early tries when the Red Rose last won on French soil, as they wrapped up a grand slam in the 2016 tournament.
France vs England prediction
This match presents a big question as to which of these teams is the real deal, which can stake their claim to be Ireland’s biggest challenger in next year’s Six Nations.
A shock in Dublin would swing the door open but otherwise this is expected to be a fight to be best of the rest, and perhaps one or both sides would struggle to motivate themselves if the last lingering hope of lifting the trophy is taken from them moments before kick-off.
Replicating the win over Ireland will set England up as the favourites against a porous French side but Borthwick has struggled to get his team firing away from Twickenham of late. Such inconsistency in their game may lead to this opportunity passing them by.
France to win, by five points.
France vs England match odds
France to lift the Six Nations: 150/1
England to lift the Six Nations: 25/1
