Six Nations 2026 · Round 5
France
England
Stade de France, Paris
Championship Standings
After Round 4 — France lead on 16 points, level with Scotland but ahead on point difference (+79 vs +21). A bonus-point win here would guarantee France the title regardless of other results. England sit 5th on 6 points after three defeats in four — this is a pride match for Borthwick’s side.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  France | 4 | 3 | 1 | +79 | 16 |
| 2 |  Scotland | 4 | 3 | 1 | +21 | 16 |
| 3 |  Ireland | 4 | 3 | 1 | +16 | 13 |
| 4 |  Italy | 4 | 2 | 2 | −24 | 9 |
| 5 |  England | 4 | 1 | 3 | +4 | 6 |
| 6 |  Wales | 4 | 0 | 4 | −96 | 1 |
France
W3, L1France have been the tournament’s most devastating attack — 163 points in four games, including 54 in Cardiff and 40 even in defeat at Murrayfield. The loss to Scotland was a shock, but they still scored 40 points — the defence was the issue, not the attack. Dupont, Jalibert and Bielle-Biarrey have been irresistible in the wide channels. The Stade de France on Super Saturday night, with a title on the line — this is France at their most dangerous.
England
W1, L3England’s campaign has collapsed since that opening-day demolition of Wales. Three straight defeats — to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy — each more deflating than the last. The Italy loss was historic: England’s first-ever Six Nations defeat to the Azzurri. Borthwick has made one change for Paris, bringing in Ollie Chessum, but this is a squad low on confidence and facing the tournament’s form attack in the most hostile away environment in rugby.
Head-to-Head in Paris
10 – 0 – 8
France wins · Draws · England wins (last 18 meetings in Paris)
France (10)This is one of rugby’s great rivalries — tight, unpredictable, and always physical. France have won two of the last three in Paris (33–31 in 2024, 25–13 in 2022), but England shocked them 31–21 in 2016. The margins are often razor-thin: five of the last eight meetings in Paris have been decided by 7 points or fewer.
Recent Results
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | Six Nations | England 26–25 France |
| Mar 2024 | Six Nations | France 33–31 England |
| Mar 2023 | Six Nations | England 10–53 France |
| Mar 2022 | Six Nations | France 25–13 England |
| Mar 2021 | Six Nations | England 23–20 France |
| Feb 2020 | Six Nations | France 24–17 England |
Average score in the last 6 meetings: France 27 – England 22. Alternating home advantage has been the pattern — but France’s current form makes them heavy favourites to win at the Stade de France.
Extended Form
France12W, 2L
Wins at home: Ireland (36–14), Italy (33–8), Australia (48–33), Fiji (34–21), Scotland (35–16), Wales (43–0), Argentina (37–23), New Zealand (30–29), Japan (52–12). Losses: South Africa (17–32), Ireland (17–38, 2024).
France at the Stade de France are virtually unbeatable. Only two losses in their last 14 home games — to South Africa and Ireland (both genuine world-class sides at the time). They’ve scored 30+ points in nine of those 14 matches. The atmosphere on Super Saturday night will be electric, and Galthié’s side thrive on the occasion.
England4W, 6L
Wins: Wales (54–12), Ireland (42–27), Italy (73–24), Argentina (28–13). Losses: Scotland (40–50), England (25–26), New Zealand (×3, including 29–19, 43–17, 31–27), South Africa (32–17).
England have been poor travellers this championship — lost in Edinburgh, beaten at home by Ireland, and humiliated in Rome. Their only away Six Nations win since 2023 was that narrow 26–25 victory over France in February 2025. Paris on Super Saturday night, against a team chasing the title — this is the toughest fixture in European rugby.
France XV
Galthié makes changes in the second row after the Murrayfield defeat — Meafou partners Flament, adding physicality. Ollivon returns at No. 8. The backline is unchanged: Dupont and Jalibert at half-back, Bielle-Biarrey and Attissogbe on the wings, and Ramos at fullback. This is France’s strongest available XV for a title-deciding match.
England XV
Borthwick makes one change from the Italy defeat — Ollie Chessum starts at blindside flanker, with Sam Underhill dropping to the bench. England use a 6-2 bench split, loading up with forward replacements. Marcus Smith provides a quality back-line option off the bench. Itoje leads the pack at lock — this is a damage-limitation mission as much as anything.
Key Matchups
The half-back battle is the headline. Dupont versus Spencer is a mismatch on paper — Dupont is the best player in the world, full stop. Jalibert has been outstanding at 10, and his partnership with Dupont gives France a tempo advantage that England simply cannot match. England’s best hope is their scrum — Genge and George are world-class — and Ben Earl’s work rate at the breakdown. If England can slow France’s ball and force Dupont to play deep, they have a chance. But France’s back three — Ramos, Bielle-Biarrey, Attissogbe — is the fastest in world rugby, and England’s back three lacks the pace to cope in open play.
Match Forecast
France will win the title at home. They have the best attack in the tournament (163 points in four games), the best half-back pairing (Dupont-Jalibert), and a point to prove after the Murrayfield collapse. The Stade de France on Super Saturday night, with the championship on the line, is the perfect setting for Galthié’s side to deliver. France have scored 30+ points in nine of their last 14 home games — England’s defence, which has leaked 103 points in four matches, will struggle to contain them.
England’s only realistic path is to turn this into a forward arm-wrestle. If they can dominate the scrum, slow the ruck, and keep the score close into the final quarter, Marcus Smith off the bench could provide a spark. But France’s bench — Mauvaka, Bamba, Gailleton — is devastating, and the 6-2 split limits England’s ability to match France’s firepower in the last 20 minutes. The 53–10 hammering in 2023 is fresh in the memory; England will be desperate to avoid a repeat, but France at home in a title decider is an entirely different proposition.
France to clinch the championship with a bonus-point win — Dupont’s crowning moment in Paris.