England vs France Predictions & Tips - France to cause an upset in England

England have flattered to deceive in the Six Nations, winning just one of their three matches to date. My best bet for this encounter is a France win.

England lead France 4-3 in their last seven clashes.

Their last match was the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup final where the two sides drew 19-all at Twickenham. England scored the winning points in extra time.

England’s chances of defending their Six Nations title are all but gone. It should be all over by the time this match kicks off.

The English are currently placed fourth on six points from their three matches. After losing 11-6 at home to Scotland on the opening weekend, England bounced back to win 41-18 at home against Italy.

Unfortunately they came unstuck in their last match in Wales. That 40-24 defeat put pay to any realistic chance they had of retaining the title.

Eddie Jones charges have not been anywhere near their best in 2021 and face a very tough challenge against France this weekend.

Max Malins makes his first start for England in place of Elliot Daly at fullback. 

Other than that Jones has stuck with the same team as he hopes to halt France’s search for their first title since 2010.

France are second on the Six Nations table, five points behind Wales with a game in hand. That is due to their last match against Scotland being postponed after a number of the French squad contracted COVID-19.

Nevertheless, if France fail to win this match their chances of winning the Six Nations is minimal, albeit, not impossible. 

They began their Six Nations campaign by thrashing Italy 50-10 in Rome. That was followed by an impressive 15-13 win in Dublin against Ireland.

There will be plenty of confidence in the French ranks for this encounter, despite not winning in England since 2007. 

Last year France drew 19-19 with England at Twickenham in the Autumn Nations Cup final before losing in extra time. France however had to play without 18 of their first choice players due to an agreement with clubs in France.

Virimi Vakatawa returns to the France midfield after missing the opening two rounds through injury.

Star flyhalf, Romain Ntamack is back from injury but starts on the bench with Matthieu Jalibert in superb form at the moment.

The COVID-19 outbreak within the French squad has cleared completely so they will not be weakened this weekend.