England vs France live stream: How to watch Six Nations fixture online and on TV today
England and France clash at Twickenham today in a potentially decisive Six Nations fixture.
Both teams are in the chasing pack behind table-toppers Ireland and remain in with a chance of winning the 2023 Championship - but victory here is imperative.
England have shown glimpses of promise under new coach Steve Borthwick, who hopes the selection of Marcus Smith at fly-half can add some inspiration to their backline and inisists the dropping of Owen Farrell is not down to his off-form with the boot.
“Every kicker has small dips and the great kickers always come back and improve their percentage,” England’s head coach said. “I consider every aspect and you’d expect me to do that. I try to do this job as thoroughly as possible. Owen’s been kicking brilliantly in training this week, as has Marcus. There are wider aspects to be considered within this game and gameplan, not simply the goalkicking.
“If you were to track all the teams I’ve selected there have been some pretty bold decisions. I’ve tried to pick the right team for that game, I don’t consider how it will be perceived by the outside. Owen has been brilliant, as he always is. He trains brilliantly and he leads this team fantastically well, whatever role he’s playing.”
When is England vs France?
England host France at Twickenham today, Saturday 11 March, at 4.45pm GMT.
How to watch on TV and online
England vs France will be broadcast live on free-to-air channels ITV and STV. To live-stream the game online, viewers can access the ITVX and STV websites and apps.
Team news
Marcus Smith has been entrusted with the fly-half duties for England’s clash with France after Steve Borthwick made the bombshell decision to drop captain Owen Farrell. Farrell has been demoted to the bench for the first time since 2015 for Saturday’s Twickenham showdown with the Grand Slam champions.
Ellis Genge is named captain for the first time in place of Farrell but there are no further changes to the starting XV that toppled Wales in round three.
Jonathan Danty returns to the starting XV for France for the first time since the La Rochelle centre featured in the opening victory over Italy in last season’s competition, at the expense of Yoram Moefana.
Tighthead prop Dorian Aldegheri is set to make his first appearance of the competition as he comes in for the suspended Mohamed Haouas. Haouas saw red after a head-on-head contact with Scotland’s Ben White and joins fellow prop Uini Atonio on the list of those suspended.
Blindside flanker Francois Cros replaces Toulouse team-mate Anthony Jelonch, who sustained an ACL injury during last month’s win over Scotland. Jelonch’s injury is likely to rule him out of the World Cup this autumn, which France host.
Confirmed line-ups
England
F Steward (Leicester Tigers); M Malins (Saracens), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), O Lawrence (Bath Rugby), A Watson (Leicester Tigers); M Smith (Harlequins), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers); E Genge (Bristol Bears, capt), J George (Saracens), K Sinckler (Bristol Bears), M Itoje (Saracens), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), L Ludlam (Northampton Saints), J Willis (Toulouse), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).
Replacements: J Walker (Harlequins), M Vunipola (Saracens), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), D Ribbans (Northampton Saints), B Curry (Sale Sharks), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), O Farrell (Saracens), H Arundell (London Irish).
France
France team: T Ramos (Toulouse) ; D Penaud (Clermont), G Fickou (Racing 92), J Danty (La Rochelle), E Dumortier (Lyon); R Ntamack (Toulouse), A Dupont (Toulouse, capt); C Baille (Toulouse), J Marchand (Toulouse), D Aldegheri (Toulouse), T Flament (Toulouse), P Willemse (Montpellier), F Cros (Toulouse), C Ollivon (Toulon), G Alldritt (La Rochelle).
Replacements: P Mauvaka (Toulouse) , R Wardi (La Rochelle), S Falatea (Bordeaux Begles), R Taofifenua (Toulon), S Macalou (Stade Francais), M Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Y Moefana (Bordeaux Begles), M Jaminet (Toulouse).
