| Venue: Stade de France Date:Saturday, March 19 Kick-off: 20:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app. |
England’s Six Nations final with France is an opportunity to prove they can match the best of the world, according to forward Sam Simmonds.
Eddie Jones travels to Paris with his side in an attempt to stop France from sealing a Grand Slam and save another Six Nations campaign.
According to the Exeter back row, the team is “probably the best in the world,” said the 27-year old Exeter.
“It is an occasion to show what it is all about.”
Jones has appointed a 28-man group of men to travel to Paris. Max Malins was left out, despite having started all four England matches this championship.
Both the uncapped Harlequins pair, wing Louis Lynagh (left) and centre Luke Northmore (right), were included. Wasps tyro Alfie Barreary has been replaced by Jamie Blamire’s back-up at hooker by Nic Dolly.
Tom Curry has been ruled out so Sam Underhill may start at openside flanker. Simmonds could shift to the number seven shirt, however, to accommodate Alex Dombrant who will be at number eight
England will confirm their 23-man matchday squad on Thursday evening.
“We were not good enough to win”
England defeated Ireland with 14 men in a hard-fought match before losing. a heavy 32-15 defeat at Twickenham.
Simmonds, forward for the British and Irish Lions, stated that “Pride is a noble word, but ultimately, we didn’t lose, we weren’t strong enough to win.”
“We must recharge our batteries now, both emotionally and physically, in preparation for the huge game in Paris.”
England’s defeat would be their second consecutive defeat.
Simmonds is very aware of the consequences for failure at the Stade de France in New Zealand were beaten 40-25 in the autumn.
He said, “Obviously, we want to win. We have always wanted to win every single game we have entered.”
“We talked this week about [this being]A chance, an opportunity to visit France and stop them winning the Grand Slam in their stadium.
“It’s also an opportunity for us as a team to prove we are capable of competing with the best.
All the talk will focus on France, but we hope that we can actually go there and do a job. It’s very exciting to be the underdog in this situation and then go out and do physical work, as we did in patches this tournament.
England squad
Forwards: Alfie Barbeary. Ollie Chessum. Nic Dolly. Alex Dombrandt. Ellis Genge. Jamie George. Joe Heyes. Courtney Lawes. Joe Marler. Sam Simmonds. Kyle Sinckler. Will Stuart. Sam Underhill.
Backs: Elliot Daly George Ford, George Furbank Louis Lynagh Joe Marchant Luke Northmore Jack Nowell Harry Randall Henry Slade Marcus Smith Freddie Steward Ben Youngs
