France are celebrating retaining their Six Nations title by the thinnest of margins. Les Bleus narrowly outlasted old rivals England 48-46 in a hugely dramatic finale to a sensational 2026 competition, with Thomas Ramos stepping up to coolly slot over a last-gasp penalty with the clock in the red. That was the decisive moment after Tommy Freeman’s score in a 13-try thriller had looked to hand the championship to Ireland with just a couple of minutes to go in Paris.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored four tries for France in a wild encounter to close a memorable Super Saturday, with momentum constantly swinging back and forth as both teams started fast and resurgent England held a 27-24 half-time lead before their discipline problems arose once again. England suffered their worst-ever Six Nations campaign as they lost four games for the first time to follow a 12-Test winning streak, though the massively improved attacking performance is likely to give under-fire head coach Steve Borthwick some much-needed respite heading into the start of the inaugural Nations Championship in the summer.
It was utter heartbreak for Ireland, who looked set to seal the title with just seconds to go at the Stade de France after their earlier 43-21 win in Dublin that wrecked Scotland’s hopes of a maiden Six Nations triumph, but for Ramos’ late intervention as Andy Farrell’s men had to make do with the Triple Crown.
France vs England latest news
- Last-gasp Ramos penalty wins Six Nations for France
- Agonising near-miss for Ireland on Super Saturday
- France wing Bielle-Biarrey scores four times in 13-try epic
- England much improved but suffer worst-ever campaign
Ben Coles' England player ratings
00:21 , George FloodReplacements
Luke Cowan-Dickie (George, 50’) 6
Hit hard, carried hard, just what England needed to keep the pace up.
Bevan Rodd (Genge, 75’) 5
England’s scrum has usually dipped with Genge off the field and Rodd immediately gave up a penalty in his first stint with Genge in the bin.
Trevor Davison (Heyes, 75’) N/A
Chandler Cunningham-South (Earl, 75’) N/A
Sam Underhill (Pepper, 62’) 6
His 50th cap, on for his club team-mate.
Henry Pollock (Coles, 54’) 6
No favourite of the French fans and had a key tackle on Dupont.
Jack van Poortvliet (Spencer, 50’) 7
Somehow got a pass away to set up Marcus Smith’s try and added even more zip to England’s attack.
Marcus Smith (Daly, 54’) 8
Also his 50th cap and marked it with a strong finish despite plenty of attention from France’s defenders. Enjoyed the flatter attacking plan.
Ben Coles' England player ratings
00:20 , George FloodForwards
Ellis Genge 8
Promising early carries, gaining more ground than in recent weeks, but then sin-binned before the break to keep England’s run of yellows going. Returned with vengeance.
Jamie George 6
Lineout certainly functions better when he’s running it and he was unflashy during his spell on the park, clearing rucks well to keep the tempo up.
Joe Heyes 8
Did his part in the scrum once again. Admittedly an odd highlight, but had a comical knee slide after being stepped by Antoine Dupont. Typically, got back up to track him down.
Maro Itoje 8
With Coles and Chessum more prominent around the park he could focus on tackles and turnovers, doing very well at both. Poached a great turnover penalty from a restart.
Alex Coles 7
Reliable target for England’s lineout and in the right place on Chessum’s inside to secure the bonus-point try. Massive in the maul, unfortunately off injured.
Ollie Chessum 9
Brought in to add some spark to a flat lineout and more heft at the breakdown. Well, he certainly did that. Scored England’s third and then ran in a long-range interception.
Guy Pepper 7
Busy in defence, with a dozen tackles, and has worked tirelessly throughout the tournament while locking down a starting spot.
Ben Earl 8
Has been one of England’s better players and carried to the line with real purpose as he always does, except this time with a scrum cap and making more ground.
Ben Coles' England player ratings
00:18 , George FloodBacks
Elliot Daly 7
More kicking to the edge early on but nice to see him linking play effectively with Fin Smith. Caught out for Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s second try.
Tom Roebuck 7
Easy finish out wide and seemed to relish England playing to width more, but defensively it’s a nightmare covering Bielle-Biarrey. Can be better in the air.
Tommy Freeman 8
Hit the gain line flatter which gave France more to think about and capped off an improved display by grabbing what England thought was the winner.
Seb Atkinson 8
Had the ball ripped away after one early carry but relentlessly gave it back to France’s defence, relishing the contact and attacking the gain line. Huge tackle count with 16.
Cadan Murley 6
Couldn’t cover a sprinting Bielle-Biarrey for the opening try. Sharp reactions finding the loose ball for his try, but penalty on Ramos set up France for penalty try.
Fin Smith 8
Signs of width were welcome and showed great composure to drop kick over a conversion after the ball rolled off the tee. This is him at his best.
Ben Spencer 8
Kicked so flat to the line for England’s second try that France could not react in time. Sharp change of direction produced England’s fourth. Can play at tempo.
France celebrate record eighth Six Nations title
Saturday 14 March 2026 23:23 , George FloodOh what a night. France celebrate a record eighth Six Nations title to move one clear of England.
Ireland came so, so, so close in the end, but have to make do with just the Triple Crown.
France 48-46 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 22:12 , George FloodFull-time
The most incredible end to the most remarkable Six Nations.
My word. How do you even begin to sum that up?
Euphoria in Paris, utter heartbreak in Dublin.
Not a player in the world you would rather have taking that kick than Ramos. Ice in his veins.
England’s worst-ever Six Nations confirmed as they finish fifth with four defeats for the first time.
But a vastly improved performance that will surely see Steve Borthwick stay in the job.
They should have won.
PENALTY! France 48-46 England | Thomas Ramos 84'
Saturday 14 March 2026 22:06 , George Flood84 mins: HE’S DONE IT!
ABSOLUTE HEARTBREAK FOR IRELAND AS RAMOS NAILS THE LAST-GASP PENALTY TO WIN THE SIX NATIONS FOR FRANCE!
WOW. WOW. WOW.
France 45-46 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 22:05 , George Flood82 mins: It’s all kicking off now between Itoje and Guillard, with the England skipper feeling that France have moved that penalty forward.
Ramos steps up to win the Six Nations for France...
France 45-46 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 22:04 , George Flood80 mins: France have a penalty advantage with the clock in the red!
We come back for it and Ramos will have a kick at goal for the Six Nations title.
Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.
Was it a high tackle? Didn’t clock exactly what that was for.
France 45-46 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 22:02 , George Flood79 mins: Jalibert breaks for France, who are into the England 22 in a flash.
But England defend brilliantly...
TRY! France 45-46 England | Tommy Freeman 77'
Saturday 14 March 2026 22:00 , George Flood77 mins: HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT?!
Cunningham-South’s huge carry commits so many French defenders and there is acres of space for Freeman to waltz in and score a seventh England try with just minutes to go.
It’s the easiest of conversions for Marcus Smith in front of the posts to nudge England back ahead by one.
Ireland back in the driving seat! This is drama on another level.
Staggering.
France 45-39 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:57 , George Flood75 mins: Rodd, Davison and Cunningham-South come on for England for the final minutes.
Genge, Heyes and Earl off.
France 45-39 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:56 , George Flood74 mins: Wow! Vital, vital, vital defending from France as Cowan-Dickie is held up over the line.
Heroic from Ollivon.
France 45-39 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:54 , George Flood70 mins: Into the final 10 minutes and England are back in the ascendancy again, with the French defence wilting once more and the penalties adding up.
Dupont is warned that the next one will be a yellow card and the referee is as good as his word as replacement tighthead Bamba is sent to the sin bin - where he will stay for the rest of the game.
How important could that be?! Ireland with hope again...
TRY! France 45-39 England | Louis Bielle-Biarrey 65'
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:48 , George Flood65 mins: A fourth try for Bielle-Biarrey puts France back ahead!
He beats Freeman in a foot race in a devastating French counter-attack following Dupont’s kick after England go close at the other end.
He’s taken down cynically, but gets up to touch down and the try is confirmed after a TMO check.
15 points now for Ramos after another successful conversion.
The title is back in French hands as things stand once more...
France 38-39 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:44 , George Flood63 mins: Into the final quarter now in Paris, where Sam Underhill is also on for Pepper for his 50th England cap.
It’s still England asking all the questions at the moment.
This must be absolute torture for Ireland fans.
Neti on for Gros for France at loosehead.
France 38-39 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:41 , George Flood60 mins: Tempers now flare at the Stade de France with Pollock at the centre of it, as ever.
Freeman bursts forward with menace for England before Cros does good work on the floor to stifle England’s latest momentum.
It continues to swing back and forth wildly...
TRY! France 38-39 England | Marcus Smith 56'
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:37 , George Flood56 mins: Amazing!
Marcus Smith quickly scores off the bench on his 50th cap to wrestle the lead back for England.
He adds the conversion. I can’t keep up!
This is just staggering. Ireland are back on top for now...
France 38-32 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:35 , George Flood55 mins: Pollock is back on for Coles, with Chessum into the England second row.
Marcus Smith on for his 50th cap. Daly off.
France 38-32 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:33 , George Flood54 mins: Cowan-Dickie and Van Poortvliet have replaced George and Spencer for England.
Mauvaka and Bamba are into the French front row.
Earl is back on for England in this second half with his head wound strapped up.
He was briefly replaced again by prop Rodd for a scrum with Genge in the bin.
TRY! France 38-32 England | Ollie Chessum 51'
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:29 , George Flood51 mins: Hold on just a minute!
The start to this second half has been just as frantic as the first as Chessum intercepts a pass and shows some wheels to streak away and touch down England’s fifth try of the night, right at the end of Genge’s yellow card.
Fin Smith sends the conversion wide.
TRY! France 38-27 England | Theo Attissogbe 48'
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:27 , George Flood48 mins: France are just relentless and ruthless with the man advantage and won’t be denied as Guillard’s big carry is followed by a penalty deep in the 22.
Dupont taps quickly and launches the perfect pass out to Attissogbe, who does the rest - bonus point in the bag.
Another conversion goes over from Ramos.
Genge will be getting no Christmas cards from Ireland this year.
France 31-27 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:23 , George Flood45 mins: It’s looking very ominous for England’s 14 men as they give away a swift penalty after the French try.
France kick to touch and look likely to score again, with some monster carries from the likes of towering lock Meafou.
Against all odds, Itoje wins a breakdown penalty to shut the door... for now.
TRY! France 31-27 England | Louis Bielle-Biarrey 42'
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:19 , George Flood42 mins: That didn’t take long!
Undermanned England are pushed further and further back by some hefty French carrying, including a key one from Ollivon.
Dupont ends up whipping a long pass out left for Bielle-Biarrey, who is all alone to dot down his first Test hat-trick.
Ramos makes a brilliant conversion and France lead by four.
A huge blow for Irish hopes...
France 24-27 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:17 , George FloodBack underway at the Stade de France!
40 minutes to go in this most dramatic of Six Nations championships.
France trail by three but will have a man advantage for the next 10 minutes and tend to skewer teams with 14 men.
Guillard is on in the French second row.
France 24-27 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:05 , George FloodWhat an absolutely unbelievable first half. This Six Nations has been truly astonishing.
Six tries in total, four from England and a bonus point in the first half. Where has it come from?!
Ireland are winning the Six Nations as it stands, but France are only three points behind after that penalty try and will have a man advantage for the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Their defence has been absolutely dreadful again, as it was at Murrayfield a week ago, but there is still a long way to go...
France 24-27 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:04 , George FloodHalf-time
PENALTY TRY! France 24-27 England | 43'
Saturday 14 March 2026 21:01 , George Flood43 mins: Genge is adjudged to have brought down the maul illegally and he’s shown a yellow card as referee Nika Amashukeli awards France a penalty try with the clock well in the red.
That feels potentially pivotal. The England lead is cut to three points at the break.
Eight yellows now for England in the competition as their discipline lets them down again.
France 17-27 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:59 , George Flood43 mins: The French maul goes down just short of the England line after another strong catch and drive.
Genge could be in trouble here...
France 17-27 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:57 , George Flood39 mins: England’s defence are under severe pressure and shipping penalties as France look to hit back on the stroke of half-time.
Boos for Pollock as he replaces Earl, who needs a HIA after a nasty head injury suffered earlier.
PENALTY! France 17-27 England | Fin Smith 38'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:55 , George Flood38 mins: Make that a 10-point England lead with half-time fast approaching.
Fin Smith slots a penalty after France are whistled for offside.
No arguments with Itoje over that one...
TRY! France 17-24 England | Alex Coles 34'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:51 , George Flood34 mins: Incredible!
England are bullying France all over the pitch at the moment and they have numbers down the left as Chessum plays in lock Coles for an easy bonus-point try.
The ball falls off the tee as the conversion clock ticks down on Fin Smith, who picks it up and delivers the drop goal instead.
England lead by seven! You can hear the excitement from Dublin...
France 17-17 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:49 , George Flood33 mins: England are teeming with new-found confidence as they kick that scrum penalty to the corner, rather than go for three more points.
France 17-17 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:48 , George Flood32 mins: Hard to overstate just what an improvement this has been from England on the last few weeks.
A job-saving performance for Steve Borthwick, potentially.
Roars from the England pack as they win a key scrum penalty, thanks to the work of Joe Heyes on the tighthead side.
France 17-17 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:46 , George FloodNo chance this stays as it is, but at the moment Ireland would be winning the Six Nations title.
If France are to draw, they need a try-scoring bonus point.
They are two more tries away from that as things stand.
TRY! France 17-17 England | Ollie Chessum 26'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:43 , George Flood26 mins: The French defend that latest maul well initially, but England keep the pressure on and Chessum eventually picks up and goes over from close range after a smart carry from Itoje.
Chessum’s first try for England.
Fin Smith nails a far simpler conversion. We are all square in Paris!
Much, much better from England so far. Irish hope abounds, but a long way to go...
France 17-10 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:40 , George Flood24 mins: The French defence is creaking again here - one week on from shipping 50 points at Murrayfield - as Daly boots one penalty into touch and another follows a powerful maul.
England kick for another lineout.
There will be another maul, with any further French infringement likely leading to a yellow card.
They cannot bring it down.
PENALTY! France 17-10 England | Thomas Ramos 23'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:37 , George Flood23 mins: NO TRY!
Murley is adjudged to have got there first. Vital defending from the England wing.
Ramos quickly tacks on three more points with the boot though, taking him over 500 for France.
England caught offside.
France 14-10 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:35 , George Flood21 mins: France think they have their third try already in this game after a smart chip and chase from Jalibert.
Murley looked to have hands on it too. We will go to the TMO review...
TRY! France 14-10 England | Cadan Murley 19'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:32 , George Flood19 mins: Wow - four tries in the opening 19 minutes in Paris!
Where has this England attack been?!
Spencer’s clever little kick through isn’t gathered by Attissogbe under pressure from Fin Smith and Murley flies in to touch down the loose ball.
Another conversion missed by Fin Smith.
France 14-5 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:30 , George Flood16 mins: No time to catch your breath during this crazy start.
A big defensive set from France as England are whistled for crossing deep inside the 22.
Now France concede the penalty and Fin Smith drills into touch.
TRY! France 14-5 England | Louis Bielle-Biarrey 12'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:26 , George Flood12 mins: This is madness!
Try-scoring machine Bielle-Biarrey has his second already after Daly cannot cut out Jalibert’s kick.
Ramos makes no mistake with the conversion.
TRY! France 7-5 England | Tom Roebuck 10'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:23 , George Flood10 mins: A brilliant and swift response from England!
What a start to this game as England work the ball brilliantly through the hands through eight phases and Daly tees up Roebuck to finish in the right corner - the 100th try of this Six Nations overall.
A tough conversion from Fin Smith drifts well wide.
TRY! France 7-0 England | Louis Bielle-Biarrey 6'
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:20 , George Flood7 mins: France take the lead in the blink of an eye!
The electric Bielle-Biarrey makes it 10 tries in as many Six Nations games in the last year as he nips in ahead of Murley to race in after Ramos’ kick through.
Ramos adds the conversion and England are in an early hole in Paris.
France 0-0 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:18 , George Flood5 mins: A positive start from England but they get a little lucky as France botch a dangerous-looking counter-attack.
England defend a maul well before France kick for a penalty and territory.
France 0-0 England
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:14 , George Flood2 mins: A flying start from England as they think they’ve scored almost immediately, with Atkinson touching down the loose ball after a clever kick through from Daly as Attissogbe makes a mess of it.
But it was knocked on by Freeman on the floor and the referee’s whistle had gone.
France with the put-in at an opening scrum five metres out from their own line.
Here we go
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:12 , George FloodOff and running in Paris!
As feared, it is France’s one-off powder blue vs traditional England white.
This won’t be easy on the eyes...
Kick-off imminent
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:11 , George FloodA truly stirring rendition of the French anthem.
Kick-off is now just moments away in Paris!
Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli is tonight’s referee.
It was originally supposed to be Australian Nic Berry, but he was unable to travel to Europe amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Teams are out
Saturday 14 March 2026 20:07 , George FloodThe light show and pyrotechnics continue as the players emerge at the Stade de France.
We are in for some atmosphere tonight!
National anthems coming up, with God Save The King to be followed by La Marseillaise.
France mark 120 years of 'Le Crunch' with special show
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:59 , George FloodThe pre-match scene at the atmospheric and iconic Stade de France looks as spectacular as always.
Even more so tonight, as a special show is put on to mark 120 years of this famous fixture.
There are currently horses on the pitch, with Les Bleus legend Frederic Michalak receiving the match ball from men dressed as knights with fireworks going off and a light show.
It’s certainly interesting...
Itoje insists no England rift after snapping at Fin Smith
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:44 , George FloodA big talking point from England’s historic loss in Rome last weekend was captain Maro Itoje losing his cool with Fin Smith, barking at the young fly-half not to argue with him and take the three points after a penalty award deep in Italian territory early in the second half.
It was a very rare loss of poise from the skipper, but he insists there is no rift in the leadership group after a conversation that also involved vice-captains Ellis Genge and Jamie George.
"There's no crack. There's no crack between us. Fin's a good guy and I get on with him very well," Itoje said.
"When you have good relationships with people you're able to have those sorts of conversations and are able to move on from it pretty quickly.
"There was no residue from that. Naturally, I guess because of the loss, it was made into a bigger thing than it actually was.
"I didn't really lose it! You don't often see me with a mic, I'm not always mic'd up but maybe I'm portraying a false image!
"Fin is my guy. As always, the way I try to do things is I like to hear what my key decision makers think of what is going on, and whoever plays 10 they will obviously have an important role in that.
"I initially asked what we thought we should do and I guess he expressed a view, I expressed a view, and I just wanted to quickly move on to the next thing.
"I actually think it's a good thing that people in the team feel they can express a view and in sport, if anything, that's the most kosher of fallouts that the world has ever seen.
“We have had far more blunt conversations between ourselves and other teammates!
"There's no really biggie. After that interaction, we even laughed about it a little bit on the pitch as well."
How France can clinch Six Nations title
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:33 , George FloodSo, Ireland’s heroics to dash Scottish dreams in Dublin earlier on make this now a very simple equation indeed for France: beat England and a record eighth Six Nations title is theirs.
They don’t even need to register a try-scoring bonus point, with new leaders Ireland only three points ahead at the summit.
Remember, there are four points for a win in rugby union.
Their vastly superior points difference over Ireland (+79 compared to +38) means that a draw (worth two points) would also be enough with a try-scoring bonus point.
A draw without a French bonus point or an England win, and Ireland will be celebrating.
Borthwick quizzed on England future
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:28 , George FloodHere’s what Steve Borthwick had to say on his England future earlier this week, with his side seemingly not willing to abandon their kick-heavy gameplan despite those recent stinging defeats.
"Clearly being in Test week is not the time for discussing end-of-tournament reviews," Borthwick said.
"As you'd respect, we've got a game against France on Saturday and that's our focus.
"In terms of the areas, I'm pretty clear on what needs to be addressed and how we need to address it.
"There are one or two areas I've already discussed and other bits that we'll dig into immediately post-tournament.
"I met with the senior player group today (Tuesday), which I typically do.
“This is one of those games where the senior players really step forward. That's what I expect them to do this weekend."
Fears over potential kit clash in Paris
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:22 , George FloodNow, as far as we are aware, England are still planning to wear their usual all-white Castore home kit tonight, rather than pivoting to their black and blue change kit.
That has sparked concerns over a potential kit clash with France’s one-off very pale blue strip.
Let’s see how this goes...
France to wear special kit on 120th anniversary of 'Le Crunch'
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:18 , George FloodFrance will not be sporting their usual darker blue home strip in Paris tonight, or indeed their white away kit.
Instead, Les Bleus are wearing a special one-off pale blue Adidas number that marks the 120th anniversary of ‘Le Crunch’.
“Drawing directly from the history of the rivalry, the design of the match jersey - and its replica version - references the original light blue jersey worn by the French team in 1906 for their first fixture against England," read a French Rugby Federation (FFR) statement.
"The 1927 FFR logo adorned on the collection denotes the year of the French team's first victory against England, while the 'Tricolore' stripes are a nod to the French rugby kits of the late 80s and 90s, when adidas was the kit supplier of the federation."
How the table stands
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:07 , George FloodHere’s a look at the Six Nations table ahead of the finale between France and England, after those thrilling wins for Ireland and Wales earlier on Super Saturday...
🏆 1 more to go 🤩#GuinnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/Y6a3677mlf
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 14, 2026
Borthwick needs to wreck French title bid - his future may rely on it
Saturday 14 March 2026 19:02 , George FloodEngland versus France is one of the great rivalries in rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion,” declared Steve Borthwick on Tuesday in his usual matter-of-fact manner, writes Ben Coles.
You would imagine that the dialogue within England’s Verona training camp this week will have been slightly more direct.
Hands up if you saw this collapse coming? The worst-case assumption for pre-tournament title contenders England was that they might lose at Murrayfield or in Paris on the final day.
Borthwick spoke about supporters travelling across the Channel in hope of a potentially historic night for English rugby.
Perhaps a first title since 2020. Maybe even a first Grand Slam since 2016.
Well, there is still a chance Saturday night could turn out to be historic for England, just for all the wrong reasons.
No England side has ever finished a Six Nations with only one win, and there is a real chance of that happening in Paris given that France are both smarting from a wild defeat away to Scotland, and must win in order to secure the title.
Wales finally end winless Six Nations run against Italy
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:49 , George FloodIt’s all over in Cardiff, where improved Wales have finally ended their 15-match losing streak in the Six Nations.
Steve Tandy has only his second victory in charge after a 31-17 defeat of Italy at the Principality Stadium that avoids a third successive winless campaign.
They will still finish bottom of the table, unless England get absolutely hammered in Paris.
But what a badly needed boost the last few weeks have been for Welsh rugby, following close-run games against both Scotland and Ireland.
Italy stay fourth as an otherwise brilliant Six Nations ends on a flat note, denied their best-ever showing of three wins.
England would leapfrog them with a win over France tonight, or a draw in which they pick up a bonus point.
England’s points difference is much better than that of both the Azzurri and Wales.
Borthwick on the brink?
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:33 , George FloodSo, could this really be Steve Borthwick’s last England stand in Paris tonight after a little over three years in charge?
It is quite remarkable just how rapidly things have fallen apart following that 12-Test winning streak in which his side were certainly efficient, if not thrilling to watch.
Borthwick insists that he remains committed to the role and building towards next autumn’s World Cup in Australia, while his players have rallied around him publicly this week and backed his divisive playing style.
Borthwick recently received the dreaded vote of confidence from RFU chief Bill Sweeney, with reports stating that he has four games to save his job - in Paris, and then the first three games of the inaugural Nations Championship in the summer.
England go to South Africa in July and play Fiji in Liverpool before returning to Argentina.
But would another serious mauling at the Stade de France force the RFU’s hand?
France vs England prediction
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:24 , George FloodEngland have never lost four matches in the same Six Nations championship, but they face an almighty battle to avoid doing so this year.
Despite their shock loss last weekend the French remain favourites to clinch the title, knowing they can do so with a win in Paris.
Steve Borthwick’s men will surely give an almighty push to avoid a worst-ever showing in this competition, and should view a French defence that allowed 50 last weekend as an opportunity to get some much-needed points on the board.
Exposing France’s weaknesses and addressing their own shortcomings could make this a tighter game than many might be expecting.
Ultimately, though, the overall form of both countries in this campaign makes it hard to envision anything but a comfortable home victory for Les Bleus, which would hand them a record eighth Six Nations title to pull clear of England.
France to win, by 15 points.
England lineup
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:21 , George FloodEngland XV: Daly; Roebuck, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley; F Smith, Spencer; Genge, George, Heyes; Itoje (c), Coles; Chessum, Pepper, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, M Smith
France lineup
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:20 , George FloodFrance XV: Ramos; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (c); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri; Flament, Meafou; Cros, Matiu, Ollivon
Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Bamba, Auradou, Guillard, Brennan, Serin, Gailleton
England's new-look backline unchanged
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:19 , George FloodThat means that England’s new-look backline remains intact, with Steve Borthwick having made a total of nine - 10, following Tom Curry’s late injury - changes between rounds three and four, the most ever by an England head coach between two Six Nations games.
Alex Mitchell’s injury means that Ben Spencer is again at scrum-half, with Fin Smith at 10.
Tommy Freeman - the only back to start against both Ireland and Italy as he moved back from the wing to outside centre -partners Seb Atkinson in midfield, with a back three of Cadan Murley, Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly.
Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith are again the only backs in reserve, with Smith and Sam Underhill both set to earn their 50th caps off the bench.
England team news
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:13 , George FloodThe under-fire Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, makes only one change to the England team that suffered a historic first-ever defeat by Italy in round four - going down 23-18 at the Stadio Olimpico to deepen their Six Nations woes.
It’s at blindside flanker, where Ollie Chessum comes in to give the visitors another lineout jumper and some much-needed extra carrying heft around the field.
He replaces Sam Underhill, who was a late call-up to the starting XV in Rome after Tom Curry suffered a calf injury during the warm-up.
Guy Pepper switches to the openside, with Ben Earl remaining at number eight.
Curry’s absence means the big-hitting Chandler Cunningham-South remains on the bench, which shows another 6-2 split in favour of the forwards.
France team news
Saturday 14 March 2026 18:07 , George FloodFrance head coach Fabien Galthie has sprung a selection shock by handing uncapped Bordeaux back-rower Temo Matiu a first senior international appearance tonight - what a game for it.
He comes in at openside flanker after Oscar Jegou was handed a four-week ban for an eye gouge on Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman in that dramatic 90-point epic at Murrayfield last weekend.
An injury to Anthony Jelonch means that former captain Charles Ollivon moves from the second row to number eight, with the towering Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament partnered at lock as Mickael Guillard drops to the bench.
There is only one change in a potent French backline, with injured centre Nicolas Depoortere making way for Pierre-Louis Barassi.
Hugo Auradou and Emilien Gailleton are both back among the replacements.
Two-cap Toulouse lock Joshua Brennan - son of former Ireland flanker Trevor Brennan - is also on the bench as Lenni Nouchi drops out.
How to watch France vs England
Saturday 14 March 2026 17:59 , George FloodTV channel: In the UK, France vs England is being shown live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7:20pm GMT.
Live stream: You can also watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app.
France vs England live
Saturday 14 March 2026 17:57 , George FloodGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of the final instalment of Super Saturday in a thrilling 2026 Six Nations.
The competition wraps up in Paris, where, after Ireland’s breathless 43-21 win over fellow contenders Scotland at the Aviva Stadium earlier on, defending champions France know that a win of any kind over England tonight will see them successfully retain their title.
Ireland need a huge favour from fifth-place England, for whom a record fourth defeat in a single Six Nations would represent their worst-ever campaign and pile yet more pressure on beleaguered head coach Steve Borthwick.
Kick-off at the Stade de France is at 8:10pm GMT, so keep it right here for all your essential match build-up, team news and live game updates.
