George Furbank starts at full-back in a surprise tactical switch for England’s final-round Six Nations meeting with title favourites France on Saturday.

Sam Underhill comes into the back row in place of the injured Tom Curry.

Elsewhere Nick Isiekwe is in the second row for the suspended Charlie Ewels, while the experienced Ben Youngs replaces Harry Randall at scrum-half.

Will Stuart starts at tighthead prop as Kyle Sinckler, who passed the return-to-play protocol after a head knock in last weekend’s defeat by Ireland, is selected on the bench.

England: Furbank; Steward, Marchant, Slade, Nowell; Smith, Youngs; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Isiekwe, Lawes, Underhill, Simmonds.

Replacements:, Marler, Dolly, Sinckler, Chessum, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Daly

England are attempting to avoid a second successive fifth-place finish in the Championship, with defeat potentially leaving only Italy below them in the table.

However captain Courtney Lawes believes England can upset the odds and wreck the hosts’ party.

“You can use that hostility we are going to be under to energise yourself, motivate yourself and use it as a positive,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“We have put together a really good plan, one we are all confident in. We just need to go there and execute it and if we do, we will give ourselves a really good chance to win this game.

“I 100% believe we have the players and gameplan to win.”

France, who are chasing a first Grand Slam since 2010, have made just one change to the starting XV that beat Wales last time out, with wing Damian Penaud coming back in after Covid.

Furbank call-up to counter France kicking game – Jones

Furbank made his Test debut as starting full-back in England’s last trip to Paris back in February 2020, but has been unable to pin down a regular starting spot since that 24-17 defeat.

He has made only another four England appearances, most recently appearing as a stand-in fly-half in November’s win over Tonga after illness and injury put Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith out of contention.

Head coach Eddie Jones said the Northampton back’s unexpected promotion is intended to counteract France’s strategy.

The hosts have kicked for more metres than any other team in this season’s tournament as they attempt to put their dangerous backline within range of the tryline.

“There is no better full-back in England at returning those long kicks and his ability to kick longer than [France full-back Melvyn] Jaminet,” Jones said as he explained Furbank’s inclusion to BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Freddie on the wing gives us a potential aerial advantage in that area so we feel that is the best balance for the team this week.”

Jones also hoped Bristol nine Randall, who started the matches against Italy, Wales and Ireland, could come off the bench to find space as the game opens up late on.

“We feel that Harry’s pace at the end of the game is going to be invaluable, where there may be opportunities against a tiring defence,” he added.

Jones revealed his squad have only gone through one meaningful training session since arriving in Paris after the exertions of their 14-man rearguard action against Ireland.

However, Sinckler has been even shorter of training time as he manages a back injury alongside mandatory medical checks for the effects of concussion.

“Kyle has had a difficult last two weeks,” added Jones. “The only training he did was today and that makes it difficult for him to start.

Underhill will play for England for the first time since starting at openside in England’s win over world champions South Africa in November after making his comeback from concussion and illness at the start of this year.