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Six Nations
Preview: England v France
ESPN Staff
March 20, 2015
Three In, Three Out: Fantasy Six Nations Week 5
Both France and England have a chance of winning the Six Nations but it is the hosts who will have the odds stacked in their favour. By the time the match at Twickenham kicks off, England will know the number of points needed to secure their first title since 2011 but as rugby history dictates, you can never be too sure exactly what France will turn up. Underestimate Les Bleus at your peril./i> Team news England make just one change to the side with Geoff Parling replacing Dave Attwood in the locks with the Bath second-row dropping out of the matchday squad. Nick Easter is named on the bench with Stuart Lancaster predicting the replacements will play a key role in the outcome of Saturday's game. For France, Camille Lopez misses out after being embroiled in a club v country row. In his place Jules Plisson starts with Remi Tales on the bench. In the front-row Eddy Ben Arous misses out so Vincent Debaty starts with monster tight-head Uini Atonio named among the replacements. Key head-to-head France will focus on the set piece in an attempt to get a foothold against England. England's lineout has been shakier than normal and Dylan Hartley along with lineout caller Geoff Parling will hope they have re-found their rhythm in that department. In the front-row, England will hope to get an early ascendancy against the monster France pack. Key stats * England have won the last eight matches at Twickenham in the Championship since Wales beat them there in 2012. * England have won just two of their last five round five encounters, but France's record is little better - they are one from three in the final weekend of Six Nations matches. * The statistics make good reading for England: George Ford is the top off-loader this year with eight while Chris Robshaw is still the top tackler with 68 tackles and just four misses. Odds England are favourites at 11/50 with UniBet with France priced at 7/2. Billy Vunipola as first try-scorer is worth a look at 14/1. Weather It will be cloudy with the temperature a cool eight degrees. Prediction England to win by 10 but whether they take the title depends on if Wales have racked up a cricket score against Italy.
England are the favourites © Getty Images
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