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England prepares to face France in the Six Nations after a narrow loss to Ireland, focusing on improvement and team dynamics.

England is gearing up for a pivotal home match against France in the 2025 Guinness Men`s Six Nations, set for Saturday, February 8th, at the Allianz Stadium. Following a narrow 27-22 defeat to Ireland in their opening match, England aims to bounce back and secure their first win of the tournament. Cadan Murley made a notable debut by scoring a try, showcasing his potential, but the team faltered in the second half, allowing Ireland to score three unanswered tries. Late efforts from Tommy Freeman and Tom Curry were not enough to change the outcome.

Henry Slade, England`s centre, emphasized the team`s focus on the upcoming match rather than dwelling on their previous heavy defeat to France in the 2023 Six Nations, where they suffered a 53-10 loss at Twickenham. Both Slade and head coach Steve Borthwick are confident that the current squad is markedly different and are determined to build on the positives from their performance against Ireland, particularly their strong first half and defensive efforts.

France enters the match with momentum after a commanding 43-0 victory over Wales, demonstrating their formidable forwards and attacking prowess. Former England captain Chris Robshaw highlighted the need for England to convert their promising 50-60 minute performances into a full 80-minute effort to compete effectively against a strong French side. Tom Curry`s standout performance against Ireland, including a try and key defensive plays, will be crucial as England seeks to improve.

The match promises to be a highly competitive encounter, broadcast on ITV1 at 4:45 PM UK time, as both teams look to assert their dominance in the tournament.

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