A choice that will be debated.
To challenge the French XV in Lyon on the occasion of the 5th and final day of the Six Nations Tournament, Steve Borthwick, the English coach, decided to keep George Ford (Sale) at the opening rather than Marcus Smith (Harlequins ), author of a decisive entry into play against Ireland during which he slammed the winning drop sixteen seconds after the siren.
To discover
6 Nations Ranking
Calendar and results 6 Nations
For the rest, the English staff had to deal with the absence of winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), victim of a concussion last weekend.
He is replaced in the starting XV by the versatile Elliot Daly (Saracens).
Note, moreover, the return to the group of 23 Englishmen of three-quarter center Manu Tuilagi (Sale) who had missed all the matches of this 2024 edition due to a groin injury.
He will start on the substitutes' bench and will bring his power at the end of the match.
The composition of England:
15. George Furbank (Northampton, 8 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter, 61)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath, 23)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 68)
10. George Ford (Sale , 95)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton, 14)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol, 61)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 89, cap)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester, 111)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 80)
5. George Martin (Leicester, 11)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester, 22)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath, 34)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 29)
Subs:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 11 caps)
17 . Joe Marler (Harlequins, 92)
18. Will Stuart (Bath, 37)
19. Ethan Roots (Exeter, 3)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 16)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 100)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins , 31)
23. Manu Tuilagi (Sale, 59)