Six Nations 2025: England v France - Match Centre

3 Feb 2025 | 4 min | 1

2025 Six Nations preview: England v France

Everything you need to know ahead of 'Le Crunch' as England host France for their second match of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.

England's Fixtures

Chris Robshaw Column

The last Six Nations encounter between England and France was a thrilling game that ended 33-31 to Les Bleus thanks to a late penalty from the boot of Thomas Ramos.

England head into this fixture on the back of a narrow five-point loss to Ireland in Dublin, despite tries from Cadan Murley, Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman. Opponents France began their Six Nations campaign with a 43-0 win over Wales, scoring seven tries.

Where	Allianz Stadium
When	Saturday 8 February
Kick-off	16:45
Where to watch	ITV1 or ITVX

Team updates

Jamie George joined up with the England squad on Sunday, and his Saracens team mate Alex Lozowski has replaced the injured Cadan Murley in camp.

Last time out

Stats & facts

England evaded a higher share of the tackles that they faced than any other team in the opening round of this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations (28%) and as a result were the only side to beat over 30 defenders (33) – Steve Borthwick’s side also gained the most metres per carry of any nation last weekend (4.1).

15 of England’s last 17 games have been decided by single figure margins, including all six of their Six Nations fixtures during that spell, with the only exceptions being two comfortable victories against Japan (52-17 and 59-14).

France made the most attacking 22 entries (12) and scored the most points per entry (3.6) of any team in Round 1 of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations; Les Bleus also conceded the joint-fewest defensive 22 entries of any side last weekend (5) and were the only team not to concede a single point.

France back-rower Gregory Alldritt made the joint-most carries of any player in Round 1 of the 2025 Six Nations (18) and was one of just two players to make 30+ metres in contact (32).

England’s Tom Curry won the most turnovers of any player across the opening round of this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations, securing three jackals from the 12 rucks he hit, while his twin brother Ben Curry ranked joint-first for dominant tackles with four.

France have lost just one of their last 11 Tests (W9, D1), winning their last four in a row; they did lose their most recent away game (v Argentina in July) but haven’t lost consecutive matches on the road since 2021, which included a Six Nations defeat to England at Allianz Stadium.

Alex Mitchell passes against France during the 2024 Six Nations — Alex Mitchell in action against France

Previous encounters

2024: France 33-31 England

2023: England 10-53 France

2022: France 25-13 England

2021: England 23-20 France

2020: England 22-19 France

Famous Fixtures

Did you know?

The first and only time England Rugby played an official game of Test rugby on New Year’s Day was against France in 1908. It was just the third meeting between the two teams but the fixture, now known as Le Crunch, has gone on to be played more than 100 times.

U20s in action

Mark Mapletoft's men got their title defence off to winning ways in Cork last weekend, beating Ireland 3-19. They face France in Bath on Friday night - kick off at 8pm - where a win would keep them on course for a Grand Slam.