Live stream England vs France: How to watch the Six Nations game online and on TV today

England and France meet in Twickenham today in a potentially decisive Six Nations game.

Both teams are in the chasing pack behind leaders Ireland and still have a chance of winning the 2023 Championship – but a win here is imperative. England have shown promising insight under new manager Steve Borthwick, who hopes the selection of Marcus Smith in the fly-half can give their defense some inspiration and insists Owen Farrell’s fall wasn’t down to his poor form with the boot is due.

“Every kicker has little dips and the big kickers keep coming back and improving their percentage,” said England’s head coach. “I consider every aspect and that’s what’s expected of me. I try to do this work as thoroughly as possible. Owen kicked brilliantly in practice this week, as did Marcus. Within that game and schedule, there are broader aspects to consider, not just scoring.

“If you follow all the teams I’ve picked, there have been some pretty bold decisions. I tried to choose the right team for this game, I don’t think about how it will be perceived from the outside. Owen was brilliant, as he always is. He is a great coach and fantastic at leading this team, no matter what role he plays.”

When does England play France?

England host France in Twickenham at 16.45 GMT today, Saturday 11 March.

So you see on TV and online

The England v France game will be broadcast live on free-to-air channels ITV and STV. To stream the game live online, viewers can access the ITVX and STV websites and apps.

Team News

Marcus Smith has been handed fly-half duties for England’s clash with France after Steve Borthwick made the bombastic decision to ditch captain Owen Farrell. Farrell was demoted to the bench for the first time since 2015 for Saturday’s Twickenham showdown with the Grand Slam champions.

Ellis Genge is named captain in place of Farrell for the first time but there are no other changes to the starting XV that toppled Wales in round three.

Jonathan Danty returns to the starting XI for France for the first time since La Rochelle featured in last season’s opening win over Italy at the expense of Yoram Moefana.

Tighthead prop master Dorian Aldegheri will make his debut appearance of the competition when he comes on for the suspended Mohamed Haouas. Haouas saw red after going head-to-head with Scotsman Ben White and joins Uini Atonio on the suspended list.

Blindside flanker Francois Cros replaces Toulouse team-mate Anthony Jelonch, who sustained a cruciate ligament injury in last month’s win against Scotland. Jelonch’s injury will likely rule him out of this fall’s World Cup, which is being hosted by France.

Confirmed Lineups

England

F Steward (Leicester Tigers); M Malins (Saracens), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), O Lawrence (Bath Rugby), A Watson (Leicester Tigers); M. Smith (Harlequins), J. van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers); E Genge (Bristol Bears, captain), J George (Saracens), K Sinckler (Bristol Bears), M Itoje (Saracens), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), L Ludlam (Northampton Saints), J Willis (Toulouse), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).

Substitutes: J Walker (Harlequins), M Vunipola (Saracens), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), D Ribbans (Northampton Saints), B Curry (Sale Sharks), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), O Farrell (Saracens), H Arundell (London Irish).

France

France team: T Ramos (Toulouse) ; D Penaud (Clermont), G Fickou (Race 92), J Danty (La Rochelle), E Dumortier (Lyon); R Ntamack (Toulouse), A Dupont (Toulouse, captain); C Baille (Toulouse), J Marchand (Toulouse), D Aldegheri (Toulouse), T Flament (Toulouse), P Willemse (Montpellier), F Cros (Toulouse), C Ollivon (Toulon), G .All-Third (La Rochelle).

Substituted: P. Mauvaka (Toulouse), R. Wardi (La Rochelle), S. Falatea (Bordeaux-Begles), R. Taofifenua (Toulon), S. Macalou (Stade Francais), M. Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Y .Moefana (Bordeaux Begles), M Jaminet (Toulouse).