Teams guide

France

7 Anthony Bouthier

Will hit brilliant lines. Making debut, but is still a real danger with pace on the counter.

7 Teddy Thomas

Could be a game-changer if he keeps form and fitness, having struggled with both.

9 Virimi Vakatawa

A huge threat. He has the lot: pace, power, offloading ability and brutal defence.

8 Gael Fickou

Lovely to watch. Mixes balance and ability with a fine kicking game and unpredictability.

9 Damian Penaud

Dangerous runner and a real threat in the air, which France will try to use.

8 Romain Ntamack

England will target the talented 20-year-old. I am keen to see how he handles it.

8 Antoine Dupont

Sniping runs are his style and England will need to be very alert around the fringes.

7 Cyril Baille

Has a lot to prove. Has excellent footwork and is dynamic in the loose, so has the tools.

7 Julien Marchand

A pocket rocket. Looks solid at the set piece and can explode in the loose.

7 Mohamed Haouas

Big unit with wheels to match. Pops up at right time to take short pass and crash over. 8 Bernard Le Roux

Strong ball-carrier with a big engine. Essentially a fourth back row and will need to lead.

7 Paul Willemse

France will look to him to generate momentum and create a platform for them to play.

8 Francois Cros

A brick wall in defence. His tackles will stop a few Englishmen in their tracks.

8 Charles Ollivon (capt)

Pressure is really on as he steps into captaincy for the first time. A super player.

8 Gregory Alldritt

Will make most of any gap in English defence as he has deceptive burst of pace.

Total 116 Verdict

This is an exciting young side and they could enjoy a breakthrough tournament. I just wonder, though, if that inexperience could prove vital this weekend.

Replacements

16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jefferson Poirot, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Matthieu Jalibert, 23 Vincent Rattez.

8 George Furbank

Can he handle pressure of debut in Paris? France will look to test him under the high ball.

8 Jonny May

Scored hat-trick against France a year ago and will finish if he gets the ball in space.

9 Manu Tuilagi

Will strike fear into any opponent. His battle with Vakatawa will be pure box office.

8 Owen Farrell (capt)

Must keep composure. Leadership will play a huge role in who wins this match.

England

8 Elliot Daly

Wing is his best position and I am confident he will demonstrate why in Paris.

8 George Ford

Solid, stable 10 who will give those outside him every chance to shine.

7 Ben Youngs

Fortunate to still be in the side. Kicking game must be perfect or France will kill England.

7 Joe Marler

Mako Vunipola is a loss in the loose but Marler may give a little more stability in the scrum.

8 Jamie George

A top-class operator who has added consistency to his set piece over the past year.

8 Kyle Sinckler

France will try to wind him up, but if he keeps his discipline he will be huge danger.

9 Maro Itoje

Consistently world-class. Work-rate means he is almost another flanker. Vital player.

7 Charlie Ewels

Work-rate is exceptional and will need to be against athletic France side.

8 Courtney Lawes

Bolsters physicality and size in back row. Will look to leave mark on Ntamack.

8 Sam Underhill

May need huge shift with Curry moving to No 8, but no need to change his physicality.

8 Tom Curry

Moving to No 8 is not easy. If England have a dominant platform he will shine.

Total 119 Verdict

Greater experience sees England shade it in my match-ups, but this is a huge challenge for Eddie Jones’s side. The likes of Itoje, Tuilagi and Farrell need to step up against a young French team wanting to impress.

Replacements

16 Luke Cowan-dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Kruis, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Jonathan Joseph.