France v England LIVE: Result and reaction as Les Bleus edge thrilling Six Nations finale in Lyon

A slightly clunky rendition of God Save The King but La Marseillaise superb as ever. Kick-off imminent

It feels fervent in Lyon as the players walk out on to the pitch - the final stop in Les Bleus’ road-trip around France. Defeat in Marseille, disappointing draw in Lille, what will a third city offer?

Anthems coming shortly

Steve Borthwick has been speaking to ITV ahead of this evening’s clash to give his thoughts on how England can win

And the French supporters make themselves known, booing and whistling the England players off the pitch. It’s bubbling away rather nicely with kick off just 15 minutes away.

There’s a healthy number of French fans already in their seats, engaging in a bit of pre-match repartee with the stadium announce team, chanting along to the chansons. France haven’t quite enlivened the crowd in their first two home games in this tournament - indeed, including the World Cup quarter-final defeat, it is three on the spin without a win on home soil. Will that change tonight?

Both sides are out on the carpet-like Groupama Stadium surface, England’s forwards engaging in a few final scrums under the guidance of scrum coach Tom Harrison and head coach Steve Borthwick. Lots of kicking in the visitors’ warm-up, too - you wonder if they might go back towards a kick pressure strategy more tonight after largely shunning the boot during the win over Ireland.

Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)

ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Damian Schneider (Arg)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

So with Ireland (just about) taking care of business in Dublin, it makes this encounter a shootout for second place, the winner going above Scotland on the end of championship ladder. They could both climb above Gregor Townsend’s side - England start tied on 12 competition points and need only a single bonus point to be certain of finishing above their Calcutta Cup rivals, while France will also be fine with a losing bonus point or more. A hugely positive tournament for Italy still leaves them fifth, above only wooden spooners Wales.

England and France clash in the climax to the 2024 Guinness Six Nations in Lyon on Saturday night, by which time it will already be known if anything is at stake on the match.

Here the PA news agency examines five talking points as England aim to snatch the title from Ireland’s grasp.

Steve Borthwick is “hopeful” that Manu Tuilagi may yet stay in England and continue his international career ahead of what could be a Test farewell for the centre.

Tuilagi, who will feature off the bench against France in Lyon, has been strongly linked with a move abroad throughout his career and is again the subject of interest from France, with Bayonne and Montpellier among his suitors.

The 32-year-old appears set to leave Sale Sharks, who would struggle to retain him within the Premiership’s salary cap.