France face England at the Stade de France at 8pm on Saturday night; the match is the final game of the Six Nations with Les Bleus bidding to win a first Grand Slam title since 2010; earlier in the day Wales face Italy (2.15pm) and Ireland host Scotland (4.45pm)
Thursday 17 March 2022 12:00, UK
Damian Penaud returns to the France starting XV after recovering from Covid, as Les Bleus bid for a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2010 against England on Saturday.
Penaud missed France's victory over Wales in Round Four due to testing positive for Covid, as did lock Romain Taofifenua.
Both are restored to Fabien Galthie's squad for this crucial encounter with England at the Stade de France.
Penaud forms part of France's quick back-three, alongside Melvyn Jaminet and Gabin Villiere. He takes the place of Yoram Moefana who suffered a knee injury against Wales in last time out.
Taofifenua is named on the bench as part of a six-two split of forwards and backs.
Antoine Dupont will lead the team again as captain and restores his successful half-back partnership with Romain Ntamack. Jonathan Danty and Gael Fickou join together in mid-field to complement each other.
In the pack, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand and Uini Atonio will have the challenge of meeting England's power, after Eddie Jones' forwards performed so well at scrum time against Ireland.
Cameron Woki and Paul Willemse will work hard in the engine room, with Francois Cros, Anthony Jelonch and Gregory Alldritt forming France's back-row.
France head into the final match of the Championship with their fate in their own hands. A victory, with or without a bonus point, would result in Grand Slam glory.
If Les Bleus lose, the title could slip from their grasp, depending on Ireland's result against Scotland earlier in the day on Saturday. An Irish victory, and a French loss to England, would mean Andy Farrell's side take the crown.
England name their team to take on Les Bleus on Thursday late afternoon.
France: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain); 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Anthony Jelonch, 8 Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jean Baptiste Gros, 18 Mohamed Haouas, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Dylan Cretin, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Thomas Ramos.
