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

Bon soir from Lyon and Groupama Stadium, where thousands of fans are beginning to make their way in having survived the crammed trams on the way in. There was a nasty little shower this morning that caught me off guard, but the skies cleared around lunchtime and it looks a pleasant evening for a bit of running rugby.

England have been here since Thursday afternoon, with a couple of the squad out skimming stones on the Rhone this morning and taking in the charms of this great city.

The city of Lyon, then Lugdunum, was a place of centrality in the story of the Roman empire, seized after the demise of Julius Caesar and established as the capital of the Gauls. Two emperors were born on the Fourviere hill that now overlooks this marvellous metropolis, one of the great sites of pilgrimage for gastronomes and gourmands, modern tendrils twisting away from the classical rues of the riverbanks.

It was here in the late 2^nd century that one of the empire’s biggest, bloodiest battles occurred, Emperor Septimius Severus quelling the forces of usurper Coldius Albinus to at last establish calm after a period of extreme turmoil. Seeking something similar this weekend in Lyon is Steve Borthwick after England’s own period of unrest, the head coach building from the biggest win of his tenure so far and recognising an opportunity for another significant step forward.

England’s narrow victory over Ireland was proof of the process and progress that Borthwick is wanting from his team. For the first time since 2020, they will finish a Six Nations with more than two victories; regardless of how events in Dublin on Saturday impact upon their title ambitions, a record of four wins from five is a distinct possibility.

Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full preview:

England make a single change to their starting side with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso out after suffering a head injury.

Elliot Daly returns on the wing, while Ethan Roots and Manu Tuilagi are brought onto the bench with Chandler Cunningham-South absent with a calf issue.

It could yet be Tuilagi’s final appearance for England with the centre understood to be mulling a move overseas at the end of the season.

England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (capt.), 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 George Ford; 11 Elliot Daly, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 George Furbank.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ethan Roots, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Manu Tuilagi.

Fabien Galthie has named an unchanged French 23 after surging clear against Wales in Cardiff last Sunday.

Youngsters Nolann Le Garrec, Nicolas Depoortere and Leo Barre are backed in the backline having made their first starts in round four, with Emmanuel Meafou again providing plenty of threat in the second row. Thomas Ramos continues at fly half.

France XV: 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Uini Atonio; 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou; 6 Francois Cros, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Gregory Alldritt (capt.); 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 10 Thomas Ramos; 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Nicolas Depoortere, 13 Gael Fickou, 14 Damian Penaud; 15 Leo Barre

Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Alexandere Roumat, 21 Paul Boudehent; 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana

Before this match in Lyon, Ireland are playing Scotland in Dublin. The game’s in the balance at half-time with the Irish leading 7-6. England and France rooting for the Scots in that one.

Follow all the action with our live blog:

One England team has already tasted success on French soil this weekend, their Under 20s mightily impressive in Pau last night to clinch their own Six Nations crown. France had heaps of Top 14 experience in their ranks but it is a talented group of young Englishmen, too - look out for lightning quick flanker Henry Pollock, scrummaging savant Asher Opoku-Fordjour and versatile back Ben Redshaw, who may all be pulling on a senior shirt before long.

Emmanuel Meafou made his long-awaited France debut in Cardiff last week, the enormous lock impressive with his softer touches and hard carrying. It would have been little surprise to those who have watched him star for Toulouse over the last few seasons - The Independent caught up with the giant lock shortly after victory was secured.

Australia’s Angus Gardner will take charge of France vs England in the final fixture of the Six Nations.

It is a second consecutive week with a championship appointment for Gardner, who replaced the injured Jaco Peyper for the round four clash between Italy and Scotland.

Here’s a bit more about him and the rest of his officiating team:

Will France and England have a title to target tonight? They’ll need Scotland to do them a favour in Dublin - a daunting task given Ireland’s remarkable recent home record. The second helping of Six Nations Super Saturday action is upon us, and you can follow every twist, turn and try with our LIVE coverage here:

France coach Fabien Galthie has urged his side to match England’s intensity to secure a winning finish to the Six Nations.

A big win over Wales has relieved some pressure on the former scrum half but a victory in Le Crunch would further get French fans back on board after a tough start to the tournament.

“To win this match, we will have to move forward: in the scrum, with the kicking game, on collisions,” Galthie said. “We will have to reverse the pressure and for that what counts is energy. The fighting intensity of the English will be enormous.”