George Ford has held off the claims of Marcus Smith at No.10 as England keep faith with the side that stunned Ireland for their attempt to land the Six Nations title.

Smith kicked the last-gasp drop goal that sank Ireland 23-22 last Saturday and made a telling contribution off the bench, bring extra zip to England’s attack after Ford had pulled the strings effectively earlier on. 

But head coach Steve Borthwick has stood by his reliable playmaker and made only one enforced changed for the showdown with France in Lyon on Saturday night by choosing Elliot Daly to replace the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. 

Feyi-Waboso’s self-reported concussion symptoms, incurred against Ireland, prompted England to stand down their breakout player of the tournament. 

Veteran Daly is restored to the left wing in his absence, with Tommy Freeman switching to the number 14 jersey worn by the 21-year Exeter Chief on his first international start. 

Manu Tuilagi makes his first appearance of the Six Nations after taking Daly’s place on the bench in what will be his first Test since last autumn’s World Cup bronze medal match, having missed the opening rounds because of a groin problem. 

A second change among the replacements sees Ethan Roots replace calf injury victim Chandler Cunningham-South. 

England will win the title if Ireland lose to Scotland without claiming a bonus point and they defeat France while securing a bonus point. 

“After such a hard-fought win against Ireland last week, we realise how important it is to back that performance up with another similar display in Lyon on Saturday,” Borthwick said. 

“France remain one of the very top sides in the world and will pose a great challenge for us. 

“We’ve had a great preparation so far this week and there is a genuine sense of anticipation and determination around the camp as we head to what will be an exciting final weekend.”

France coach Fabien Galthie has rewarded his young players for beating Wales by naming an unchanged line-up.

Galthie has even kept the same bench for the game in Lyon after his new-look France side rallied to a 45-24 record score in Cardiff last Sunday after making eight changes.

“Now this team is faced with a big challenge, beating England six days later,” Galthie said. “They will have to stand up to it, be better than in Cardiff.”

Halfback Nolann Le Garrec is again preferred to Maxime Lucu, while centre Nicolas Depoortere, fullback Léo Barre and imposing lock Emmanuel Meafou also keep their slots following convincing Test debuts.

“If you want to talk about energy, they brought lots and lots of energy,” Galthie said. 

Le Garrec bossed the game behind the rucks against Wales and added a try for good measure.

Prop Georges-Henri Colombe made a try-scoring debut off the bench in Cardiff and is again among Galthie’s “finishers”, as he likes to call impact players in the reserves.

Prolific goalkicker Thomas Ramos resumes in a makeshift five-eighth role to allow Barre to continue at fullback and counter England’s high ball. 

Switching Ramos happened only because of a tournament-ending knee injury to first-choice five-eighth Matthieu Jalibert in the 13-13 draw against Italy, but so far it has paid off.

“Thomas is very influential at organising play, and is also (influential) on other players,” Galthie said. “In terms of managing the high points and the low points, he’s very good.”

Louis Bielle-Biarrey is on the left wing, while veteran Gael Fickou, who has started scoring tries again, partners Depoortere in midfield.

No. 8 Gregory Alldritt captains the side at Groupama Stadium, where he will be joined in the back row by experienced flankers Charles Ollivon and François Cros.

England beat defending champions Ireland 23-22 last Saturday and prevented Ireland from clinching the title. England has an outside shot at the title and France has a mathematical chance.

Ireland unchanged for decisive clash

Ireland have named an unchanged team for Saturday’s Six Nations finale against Scotland where Andy Farrell’s men hope to wrap up a second successive championship.

England ended Ireland’s grand slam ambitions with a last-gasp victory at Twickenham last weekend.

The only change for Ireland, who need a win or a draw to be assured of the title, comes on the bench where Farrell reverts to a 5-3 split between forwards and backs, with fit again centre Garry Ringrose back in the matchday squad.

While the forward-heavy split proved successful against France and Wales, injuries forced scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park to play the final 30 minutes at Twickenham out of position on the wing.

One of the players who left the game early against England, wing Calvin Nash, was cleared to start against the Scots, who last won in Dublin in 2010.

A bonus point loss on Saturday would almost certainly still be enough for Ireland to be crowned champions, given they are four points clear of England on 16 points with a vastly superior points difference.

England would likely need a bonus point win to take the title if Ireland emerge without a point on Saturday. Steve Borthwick’s men face France, who are level on 11 points with third-placed Scotland.

Lynagh returns for Italy

Louis Lynagh, son of Australian legend Michael, has retained his place in Italy’s Six Nations squad after marking his debut with a try last weekend.

Lynagh scored in the 31-29 win over Scotland and the wing will now face Wales in their final Six Nations Championship clash in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Italians have made three changes to their side as Lorenzo Pani comes in to replace the injured Ange Capuozzo at fullback.

The lively Capuozzo fractured a finger against the Scots and has been ruled out, having been a key figure for the side when they defeated Wales 22-21 in their last visit to the Principality Stadium in 2022.

Other changes see Stephen Varney start at scrumhalf ahead of Martin Page-Relo, who drops to the bench, and Lorenzo Cannone comes in at number eight in place of Ross Vintcent, who is also among the replacements.

Paolo Garbisi keeps his place at flyhalf, while  Lynagh and and the Melbourne-born Monty Ioane remain on the wings. The centre pairing is made up of Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex.

Cannone is joined in the back three by captain Michele Lamaro and Sebastian Negri, while brother Niccolo Cannone and Federico Ruzza make up the second row.

Hooker Giacomo Nicotera will have props Danilo Fischetti and Simone Ferrari either side of him.

Italy can complete a best ever Six Nations campaign with victory against the Welsh, who have lost all four of their matches so far this season.

Following a 13-13 draw against France in which Garbisi missed a kick for victory with the final play of the game, adding another win to their Scotland success would be an improvement on all previous years.

Italy could finish as high as third in the table with a bonus point victory but would need Scotland and France to lose their final matches to Ireland and England respectively.