But, in their fight to avoid a fourth loss, England could still play a pivotal role in the championship race.
Trophy holders France came in as the favourites and remain in pole position to defend their crown.
However, their winning run is no more after tasting defeat in a 90-point thriller at Murrayfield last time out which ensured Scotland and Ireland could both still clinch the title depending on their result of their showdown in Dublin earlier in the day.
For that to happen, though, France may have to lose – and with England floundering, the likelihood of such a scenario remains in question.
France vs England date, kick-off time and venue
France vs England in the Six Nations takes place on Saturday March 14, 2026, at the Stade de France in Paris.
How to watch France vs England
TV 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: Fans can watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: You can also follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
England flanker Ollie Chessum is back in Borthwick’s XV
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France vs England team news
That means Guy Pepper switches to openside and Sam Underhill drops to the bench, with Ben Earl continuing at number eight.
Elsewhere, Alex Coles partners Maro Itoje at lock while props Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes either side of hooker Jamie George.
Meanwhile, Borthwick sticks with his new-look backline for another game having made sweeping changes for the Italy trip a week ago, with Tommy Freeman – starting in midfield – the only back to have kept his place between rounds three and four.
Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith are the the only backline cover on the bench again, with another 6-2 split favouring the forwards.
Tom Curry, who dropped out of England’s line-up during the warm-ups last weekend with a calf injury, is ruled out.
France’s matchday squad will be officially confirmed on Thursday morning, but eagle-eyed reporters suggest several changes could be made after spotting players wearing white bibs – typically used to identify the starting lineup – during training this week.
Pierre-Louis Barassi could come in at centre for a first start of the tournament over Nicolas Depoortere, who picked up a shoulder injury against Scotland last weekend.
France’s Pierre-Louis Barassi during training on Wednesday
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In the second row, meanwhile, Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou may return, having been rotated out of the XV after starting against Italy in the previous outing.
Oscar Jegou might be one who drops out, as he awaits the outcome of an appeal regarding an alleged eye gouge on Scottish hooker Ewan Ashman.
France trio Antoine Dupont, Fabien Brau-Boirie and Théo Attissogbe in training on Wednesday
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France vs England lineups
England 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 vs England head to head (h2h) history and results
The last instalment of the match known as “Le Crunch” saw England eke out a 26-25 victory at Twickenham a little over a year ago.
In fact, England have not beaten France away since their last Grand Slam back in 2016.
France vs England prediction
England has never lost four matches at the same Six Nations championships, 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 provided Scotland don’t better their result with a bonus point and/or major points scoring swing.
Borthwick’s men will surely give an almighty push to avoid a worst-ever showing at this tournament, and should view a French defence that allowed 50 points 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 home victory for Les Bleus, which would likely hand them a record eighth Six Nations title to pull clear of England.
France to win, by 15 points.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scored in nine straight Six Nations matches for France
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France vs England match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).