France vs England LIVE: Six Nations rugby latest score and updates as France closing in on title

LIVE – Updated at 20:51

Follow live coverage as France host England in the finale of the Six Nations in Paris.

History beckons for Fabien Galthie’s side as they look to claim a Grand Slam and a first championship title since 2010. Victory over England and they will achieve both those goals but any other result will see Ireland snatch the title after they beat Scotland earlier in the day.

Their team selection has shown remarkable continuity throughout the tournament with 11 players starting all five matches, with all but one of the changes made in the tournament enforced by Covid. Damian Penaud returns on the right wing in the only switch from the 13-9 victory over Wales in round four.

England have sprung a surprise in their bid to deny their hosts by naming Freddie Steward on the wing and George Furbank at full-back. The other change to the backline sees Ben Youngs, England’s most capped player, replace Harry Randall at scrum-half where he will partner fly-half Marcus Smith. There are three new faces in the pack with Will Stuart, Nick Isiekwe and Sam Underhill coming in.

Follow all the latest updates and analysis from the Stade de France:

Behind at half time.#FRAvENG pic.twitter.com/WFwtjI6R2g

And finally France go over! It’s a sustained effort from the home side, straining the sinews, stressing the synapses, as England cling on where they can.

Eventually the space again appears down the left. Romain Ntamack is somehow stopped by Ellis Genge, snatching the fly-half’s hand to haul him back and prevent him scoring, but Francois Cros reaches out of a collapsed mass close to the ruck. A perfect end to the half for France and a big step towards the Grand Chelem, made even bigger by Melvyn Jaminet’s conversion.

Or can they?