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Two changes for France against England

The game had been billed as a potential title decider, but the French lost 18-29 to Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend to scupper their hopes against the unbeaten English.

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Noves, in his first season as France coach, resisted the urge to make wholescale changes despite accusing his team of making "stupid mistakes" against the Scots.

The two he did make to the starting XV are both in the back row with Loann Goujon and Bernard Le Roux coming in to add some extra bulk in place of Yacouba Camara et Wenceslas Lauret.  

Goujon, who will play at No.8, gets a start for the first time since the 35-55 loss to England in the Six Nations closer last year although he did come off the bench this year against Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Le Roux last played in the 13-62 loss to the All Blacks in the World Cup quarterfinals last October.

Francois Trinh-Duc keeps his job at flyhalf despite a sputtering display against the Scots as part of a backs division that is unchanged.

England will be going for their first Grand Slam since their World Cup winning year of 2003, while France will want to deny them that honour and finish with three wins against two defeats.

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France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Wesley Fofana, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8  Loann Goujon, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Damien Chouly, 5 Alexandre Flanquart, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.

Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Xavier Chiocci, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Wenceslas Lauret, 21 Sebastien Bezy, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Medard.

Date: Saturday, March 19

Venue: Stade de France, Paris

Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT)

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Leighton Hodges (Wales)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Agence France-Presse

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