What time is England vs France kick-off? Six Nations 2025 TV channel and lineups

England must bounce back against the French this evening...

Feb 8, 2025 - 11:33
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What time is England vs France kick-off? Six Nations 2025 TV channel and lineups
Ireland v England - Guinness Six Nations 2025
England suffered defeat in Dublin on the opening weekend (Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

England welcome France to Twickenham as they look to bounce back after an opening weekend defeat at the Six Nations.

Despite leading at half-time, the Red Roses fell to a 27-22 defeat in Dublin as Ireland began their quest for an unprecedented third successive title with their bonus points victory.

It was a missed opportunity for England who suffered their sixth defeat in seven matches. Things don’t get any easier this evening against a France side who demolished them on their own turf last year.

The scars from that record 53-10 defeat that eliminated them from title contention are still there and even at this early stage, Steve Borthwick and his side know it is a must-win game if they want to keep alive hopes of a first Six Nations title since 2020.

France were ruthless in their opening match, sweeping aside Wales without conceding a point with Antoine Dupont again leading the charge with three try assists in under an hour.

England vs France: Kick-off time and how to watch the match

England vs France will kick-off at 4:45pm on Saturday 8 February.

The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 with a live stream available through ITV X.

France v Wales - Guinness Six Nations 2025
France were ruthless against Wales last week (Picture: Franco Arland/Getty Images)

England vs France team news

Fin Smith will make his first starting appearance at fly-half with Marcus Smith shifted inside to full-back in place of Freddie Steward.

Tom Willis also comes into the side with Ben Curry dropping to the bench. Cadan Murley will miss out with a foot injury with Ollie Sleightholme taking his place in the side.

England: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Tom Curry, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly.

RUGBYU-FRA-PRESSER
Dupont out to cause more problems (Picture: Getty)

France will be without the suspended Romain Ntamack following the red card he picked up last weekend for a high challenge on Ben Thomas.

Matthieu Jalibert comes into replace him with Damian Penaud also returning the side after missing that 43-0 win over Wales with a toe injury.

Theo Attissogbe makes way.

 France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.

Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton.