England vs France Live Stream - how to watch the 6 Nations in 10 minutes

Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025 (Round 2 of the Six Nations).

Venue: Allianz Stadium (Twickenham), London, England.

Kick-off Time: 4:45 pm local (GMT). This equates to 5:45 pm CET in France and much of Europe, 11:45 am ET in the US, 6:45 pm SAST in South Africa, and 3:45 am AEDT in Sydney (early Sunday)​. Be sure to adjust for your local time zone so you don’t miss the start.

Below is a breakdown of where to stream the England vs France “Le Crunch” Six Nations clash in major regions. We’ve included both free-to-air options and paid subscription services, plus notes on any requirements. All official streams are subject to geo-restrictions.

TV: ITV1 (free-to-air). Coverage starts at 4:15 pm GMT​. All Six Nations matches are shared between BBC and ITV; England’s home games (like this one) air on ITV.

Online Stream: ITVX (ITV’s streaming service) – free with account registration. The match will be live-streamed on ITVX at the same time as the TV broadcast​. You just need to sign up with an email (no payment) and ensure you have a valid UK TV license to watch live. ITVX can be accessed via web browser or through its apps.

Device support: ITVX is available on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and many smart TVs and streaming devices via the ITVX app​, letting you watch the game on the go or on a big screen.

TV: Virgin Media One (free-to-air). Virgin Media Television holds rights alongside RTÉ for Six Nations games in Ireland. England vs France will be shown live on Virgin Media One. Coverage begins around 4:30 pm GMT, just before kick-off​.Online Stream: Virgin Media Player (Virgin Media Play) – free streaming of Virgin’s broadcast​. You can watch live on their website or app without any sign-up required​. It’s as simple as navigating to the stream at game time and hitting play.

TV: France 2 (free-to-air). As with all Six Nations matches, France Télévisions is broadcasting it live on its main channel​. Tune in from 5:35 pm CET for pre-match coverage, ahead of the 5:45 pm CET kick-off​. Online Stream: France.TV – free online platform of France Télévisions​. The match will stream live here at the same time as on TV. Both the terrestrial channel and the online stream are free to view in France​. (Make sure you have a valid TV license in France if applicable.)

Online Stream: Peacock – NBC’s streaming service has exclusive rights to Six Nations coverage in the US. All matches, including England vs France, are available live on Peacock (subscription required)​. Peacock’s premium tier is needed – as of the Six Nations, they’ve even promoted special annual deals for new subscribers​. The live stream will start at 11:45 am ET (8:45 am PT).

Le Crunch
This England vs France showdown (often nicknamed “Le Crunch”) is one of the marquee fixtures of the Six Nations. 

Coming into this match, England are under pressure after a poor run of results. They opened their 2025 campaign with a 27-22 loss to Ireland in Dublin, a game where they led at halftime but collapsed in the second half​. In fact, England have now lost 7 of their last 9 Test matches​, a stark downturn in form. Coach Steve Borthwick’s side showed promise early against Ireland but couldn’t withstand the champions’ onslaught and had to settle for a losing bonus point. In the standings, that means England have just 1 point so far (from the bonus) and cannot afford another defeat if they hope to compete for the title. A loss to France would likely knock England out of contention for the 2025 Six Nations trophy​, turning their campaign into “damage limitation” mode​. This is essentially a must-win to keep any championship hopes alive for the Red Rose.

France, by contrast, started the tournament in scintillating form. In Round 1 they absolutely thumped Wales 43-0 in Paris​, a statement win that showcased their power. Les Bleus secured a bonus point and sit atop the table after one round, thanks to their superior point difference​. They come into Twickenham brimming with confidence – France “look like the team to beat” in this year’s championship​ and are early favorites to lift the trophy. If they beat England, they’ll remain on track for a potential Grand Slam and stay at the top of the standings. History is also on France’s side in this fixture: the last time they visited Twickenham (in 2023), France inflicted a record 53-10 defeat on England​. While England will be desperate to avoid a repeat, France will aim to maintain their dominance.

This match is crucial for both sides but for different reasons. England need a win to revive their Six Nations campaign and regain confidence. France want to keep their momentum and possibly secure an away win over a traditional rival, which would reinforce their status as championship frontrunners. It’s a classic scenario: a wounded England with their backs against the wall versus a high-flying France eyeing the title. The outcome will have a big impact on the championship landscape – an English win blows the title race open, while a French win could set them on a collision course with a Grand Slam.

This clash is filled with star players. Here are some key names from both teams to keep an eye on and why they’re important in this fixture:

Antoine Dupont (France, Scrum-half/Captain): Widely regarded as one of the best players in the world (a “possible GOAT” at scrum-half)​, Dupont is the engine of the French team. He sat out last year’s Six Nations but has returned to lead France. In the opening game against Wales, Dupont ran the show, dictating play with his sniping runs and precise kicks​. His decision-making and bursts around the ruck can turn a game. England will be on high alert whenever Dupont has the ball. Damian Penaud (France, Wing): A prolific try-scorer and a constant attacking threat. Penaud is “a major threat” out wide for France​. He has a knack for finishing chances – with speed, size, and great footwork. Even if he didn’t play in Round 1, he’s expected to be involved here. The French often try to get Penaud involved early to spark the offense, and England’s defense will need to track him closely on any kick returns or wide moves.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France, Wing): A rising star in the French backline, Bielle-Biarrey is an exciting young winger who showcased his talent by scoring a brace of tries in the 43-0 win over Wales​. He, along with Penaud, is considered a “lethal finisher” in the French squad​. If he gets space on the wing, he can punish England with his pace.Thomas Ramos (France, Full-back/Kicker): Ramos is arguably one of the best place-kickers in world rugby at the moment​. As France’s full-back, he offers a reliable last line of defense and is deadly with the boot – both in open play and off the tee. Any English indiscipline in kickable range will likely be turned into points by Ramos. He also often joins the line in attack as a playmaker.

Matthieu Jalibert (France, Fly-half): France’s starting fly-half for this game, stepping in for Romain Ntamack, who is suspended after a red card last week​. Jalibert is a top-level replacement​ – a talented playmaker with slick passing and running skills. He will be responsible for orchestrating France’s backline moves and linking up with Dupont. England cannot relax just because Ntamack is out; Jalibert can be just as dangerous if given time and space.

Fin Smith (England, Fly-half): A new face in the England lineup, the 21-year-old Fin Smith has been handed the No.10 shirt for his first Six Nations start. He was the 2024 Premiership Player of the Season and has impressed at club level​. Coach Borthwick’s decision to start Smith at fly-half is a bold move, injecting fresh creativity. How the young fly-half handles the pressure of “Le Crunch” will be pivotal. England will look to Smith to spark their attack and distribute effectively.

Marcus Smith (England, Full-back): Normally a fly-half, Marcus Smith (no relation to Fin) has been shifted to full-back for this game – a tactical switch aimed at countering France’s kicking game and adding another playmaker to the backfield. Marcus Smith is known for his electric running and playmaking flair. From the 15 position, he’ll have more freedom to join the line at pace. Keep an eye on him chiming into the attack and also fielding high balls from French kicks. His performance in this unfamiliar role could make or break England’s attacking rhythms.

England Forward Pack: (Group mention) England’s forwards collectively will be key if they are to stand a chance. Players like Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Ellis Genge, and Jamie George (if selected) need to deliver a big performance. They face a ferocious French pack that combines brute size (e.g., prop Uini Atonio) with skill and athleticism (e.g., No.8 Grégory Alldritt)​

. If England’s pack can secure set-piece ball and slow down France’s rucks, it will give the English backline a platform. Otherwise, France’s forwards could steamroll and provide endless front-foot ball to Dupont and company.

Both teams boast depth and star quality, which sets the stage for a thrilling encounter. Expect intense physical battles up front and high-speed chess matches in the backline. With so much on the line for the standings, the individual brilliance (or mistakes) of these key players could swing the result. As the cliche goes, whoever wins the key battles within the game is likely to emerge victorious on the scoreboard.