Steve Borthwick has made just one change to the side that was beaten by Italy last week, with only the injured Tom Curry absent from the matchday 23.

Here are our winners and losers:

Winners:

Cadan Murley

Finally given a proper crack in an England shirt, the 26-year-old will start his second Test match in a row for the first time when he takes to the field against France. After impressing during last year’s tour of America, the Harlequins man will face his biggest test as he squares up against arguably the most deadly back three in the northern hemisphere. He’s proven himself at club level, and now being given the reins at international grade, this could be his chance to kick on.

Ben Spencer

At 33 years of age, Spencer is not likely to be England’s long-term answer at scrum half. But after a career dominating the English PREM, he’s finally getting some real recognition internationally. Steve Borthwick is trusting the Bath scrum half with yet another start with the next World Cup just over a year away, indicating a real investment in the experienced nine. While Alex Mitchell remains the number one choice, Spencer’s skillset is likely to take him to his third World Cup in 2027.

Fin Smith

Speaking to Planet Rugby at the back end of 2025, Fin Smith said that Borthwick had given him assurances that he was in his long-term plans – and the England boss appears to be delivering on those promises. Once again, the Northampton Saints fly-half has been given the reins at 10, over both Marcus Smith and George Ford, the latter of the two watching on from the stands on Saturday. Fin Smith struggled to control the backline against Italy last weekend, but will be pleased to have another crack at the whip against a French side that comes off the back of an exhausting loss to Scotland.

Maro Itoje

It’s been a challenging few weeks for the England captain. Following the devastating loss of his mother, he’s forced himself back into the England team and become the unfortunate face of a disappointing Six Nations campaign, both individually and as a team. Despite his poor form, however, Borthwick has reinforced his trust in the captain, giving him the starting berth in what will be England’s most important match for quite some time. The pressure on Saturday in Paris will be monumental, but Itoje’s vast experience and broad shoulders bear the brunt of ensuring that England avoid their worst-ever Six Nations finish.

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Losers:

Henry Slade

Despite being a part of the wider squad, the hugely talented Henry Slade failed to see a single minute of action this Six Nations. Arguably one of England’s greatest ever centres, and certainly one of the most capped, the 33-year-old was back in club colours last weekend, playing for Exeter Chiefs in their PREM Rugby Cup semi-final victory over Northampton Saints. There’s still plenty of time for him to get back into the England team, particularly after impressing against Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series, but to see a winger [Tommy Freeman] be picked in his position must hurt.

Axed duo

Greg Fisilau and Max Ojomoh were both axed from the wider squad, despite the promise shown by the young stars at club level. For Fisilau, with England lacking a genuine number 8, this tournament could have been the perfect opportunity to test out the young gun 18 months out from the World Cup. As for Ojomoh, his brilliant performance against Argentina in the Autumn should have been enough to push on to further international caps, but despite the experimentation in the midfield, the Bath centre has not been a part of it.

Marcus Smith

Despite being set to reach 50 caps on Saturday, he’s further away from becoming a starting player than ever. Once considered the most exciting talent in English rugby and the future of the number 10 shirt, under Steve Borthwick, his skillset is reduced to the lowest common denominator. He’s seen only as a talent that can come on and change the game, but not trusted to lead it from minute one. Despite proving his quality in an England shirt time and time again, Smith’s talents are once again being underutilised.

Tom Curry

After being removed in the warm-up in England’s match against Italy, the Sale Sharks’ back row will take no part in the remainder of the championship. There’s no news yet on the extent of the calf injury he sustained, but he will have to watch on as this team faces France without him.

Chandler Cunningham-South

The giant back rower has many talents, yet he is still only considered a bench option within the stacked backrow. His giant size and powerful impact in contact can make him such a devastating force when he arrives on the field, but this does count against him when looking for a start. The young Quins star managed just five minutes against Italy, so will be hoping for more against France.

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