| Venue: Groupama Stadium, Lyon Date: Saturday, 16 March Kick-off: 20:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Sounds; live text updates & highlights on BBC Sport website & app; watch on ITV1 |
Captain Jamie George says England have reviewed footage of last year’s record home defeat by France as they prepare to enact revenge in the Six Nations.
George described England’s 53-10 defeat at Twickenham as one of the “darkest days” in his career.
England have not beaten France away from home since they last claimed the Grand Slam in 2016 and George says they “know what is coming” in Lyon.
“We have looked at last year’s game this week,” George told BBC Sport.
“We would be stupid not too. It was one of the darkest days of my career and that was not what English rugby should be about.
“We were many percentages off and when you are that poor against a team like France you know you deserve to be beaten.”
France have been far from their best without influential half-back pairing Antoine Dupont and Roman Ntamack, but George says their heavyweight pack remains a strength.
Les Bleus made several second-half changes in the forwards to gain the momentum and overcome Wales in their last outing.
“They are up there with the most physical pack in the world at the minute,” added 33-year-old hooker George.
“Their pack won them the game in the end against Wales. It was pretty tight after 60 mins but the bench that came on dismantled that Welsh pack.
“France have a lot of big men with a lot of weight but we have to stick to our guns and take it to them.”
‘We are not going to change the way we play’
England arrive in Lyon after beating defending champions Ireland to keep their faint title ambitions alive. They can still win the tournament if they defeat France with a bonus point and Ireland fail to collect a point against Scotland.
Steve Borthwick’s side outscored Ireland 3-2 on tries after playing with greater attacking intent than previously in this year’s competition.
George says the plan will not change in the latest instalment of ‘Le Crunch’.
He added: “We are not going to change the way we play because of who we face.
“At the World Cup we had a strong kicking game, our set-piece was very good and defensively we were well connected.
“But now, we want to bring line speed and get back behind the ball as an option to play and take teams on.
“Sometimes in the past in the early games in my England career you may have felt a bit restricted by a plan. We have a freedom to express ourselves and use our incredibly talented players with ball in hand.
“I’m excited to finish our Six Nations on a high …. It brings a smile to my face thinking about what we can achieve on Saturday.”
