By Rory Marsden
No matter what else happens in Saturday's preceding games, England will have their championship fate in their own hands when they face France at Twickenham for the last match of the 2015 Six Nations.
After Ireland's defeat to Wales in the penultimate round of matches, and England's scrappy win over Scotland, Stuart Lancaster's men now sit top of the standings with one match remaining, per RBS 6 Nations:
The schedule has worked in England's favour for the last day of play on Saturday, as they will know exactly what is needed if they are to lift the title, with Wales playing Italy and Ireland facing Scotland earlier in the day.
Here is a full preview of Saturday's clash between a brutal French side and Lancaster's England, as well as scheduling, television and live streaming information.
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 5 p.m. GMT, 1 p.m. ET
TV Info: BBC 1 (UK), beIN Sports (US)
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer, beIN Sports Connect
France have had an inconsistent, ugly Six Nations campaign this year; losses to Ireland and Wales paired with victories over Scotland and Italy leave them in fourth place.
They have been accused by many of betraying the traditional French style of flair and pace with a physical, pack-dominated game in which contact is relished and space avoided.
However, defeats for Ireland and Wales on Saturday and a French victory by at least eight points at Twickenham would hand Les Bleus an incredibly unlikely championship title.
While any possibility of such an outcome may be dashed before kick-off in south west London, France will not simply roll over against England.
They have an incredibly strong and physical pack—see second rows Alexandre Flanquart and substitute Romain Taofifenua, described by Courtney Lawes as "the big dudes," per Chris Jones in the Evening Standard.
Saturday's forward clash will be a key part of the game, with England set to be looking for scores to claim the victory, and potentially make up a necessary points difference to claim the title.
England have more than enough ability in the forwards to take on the French pack and win, not least in Lawes who returned from long-term injury against Scotland and put in a brilliant performance, per Rugby World's Charlie Morgan:
However, discipline will be required, as will a more clinical ability to finish off chances than was shown against the Scottish.
As 2003 World Cup winner Will Greenwood noted, the fact that England created so many chances on Saturday, breaking the line on many occasions, should be seen as a positive:
But a similarly wasteful display against France could mean falling short, yet again, in the race for the Six Nations title—England have not won the championship since 2011.
While France snatched victory in the last minute against England in 2014's Six Nations at the Stade de France, recent history favours the hosts on Saturday.
Les Bleus have not prevailed at Twickenham in the Six Nations since 2005, while England have won seven of the last 10 matches between the pair.
However, the margin of victory could be key on Saturday, meaning try-scoring could be at a premium. France have conceded just two tries in the entire tournament, however.
England should beat France at Twickenham, and that may be enough to clinch the title. Lancaster will expect nothing less than a complete display, though, with the World Cup looming later this year.
Clinical finishing, discipline and intelligence will all be needed for the English on what could be a triumphant day at Twickenham but complacency is not an option.
