England vs France: Six Nations Betting Tips
The match that used to be billed as Le Crunch looks unlikely to be a title decider this year, but there is still plenty riding on it for both sides.
Six Nations favourites France are chasing a Grand Slam and looked so impressive in their opening victory against Wales, while England will be desperate to end their current malaise and a run of just two wins in their last nine games.
That sequence started with a 33-31 defeat to Les Bleus in round five of last year’s Six Nations, while the year before France were emphatic 53-10 winners on their most recent trip to Twickenham.
The French are 21/50 favourites to make it three wins on the bounce and England will know they need to find a much improved performance if they are to deny the visitors.
Tip 1 – France -6.5 Handicap @ 19/20
France showcased their extraordinary firepower in their 43-0 opening win against Wales last weekend and, while they should be made to work harder by England’s defence, they are likely to prove tough to hold down.
Although England fell to defeat in round one against Ireland last week, they were ahead at the break and held their hosts to just five first-half points as they worked tirelessly in defence.
England look set to take a different approach in this game, though, as coach Steve Borthwick has shaken up his team, moving Marcus Smith to full-back and starting Fin Smith in the number ten shirt.
Ollie Sleightholme replaces the injured Cadan Murley in the back three meaning both half-backs and both wingers are Northampton players and that familiarity could help them find more unity and fluency to their play.
Marcus Smith’s move to number 15 brings a second playmaker into the side, but it’s something of a gamble against a France side who look to hold a significant physical edge as well as a dangerous attacking line-up.
France are without fly-half Romain Ntamack, who is suspended following his red card against Wales, but Matthieu Jalibert is a fine replacement and was France’s first choice during the 2023 World Cup, while having winger Damian Penaud back from injury is a huge boost.
The Bordeaux man has a tally of 36 tries in 53 and has topped the tournament tryscoring charts in two of the last three years.
But the main man for France is likely to again be scrum-half Antoine Dupont and England’s back row will no doubt target him after they came flying off the line to shut down Ireland’s attacking play with great effect in the first half last week.
However, Dupont’s blend of power and trickery makes him so tough to stop and he can find gaps to release the flair players around him.
Tip 2 – Over 27.5 France points @ 10/11
With Dupont directing affairs behind a huge pack, France have the tools to run up another big score.
Despite frequent changes to their line-up over the last 12 months, Les Bleus have scored more than 25 points in eight of their last nine matches, including victories against New Zealand and England.
They ran in seven tries against Wales last week and, while England should put up a stronger defensive effort, they were found wanting at times in last week’s defeat to Ireland, who piled up 22 unanswered points in the second half before England grabbed two late consolation scores.
England’s intensity fell away after the interval in that game, something that was noticeable last autumn, and France have the ability to quickly seize on any weakness and punish teams.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation