SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The only way England win is if France have a man sent off

Eddie Jones’ selection suggests he might have had too much sun in this glorious Paris spring weather.

Even before the bombshell of playing Freddie Steward on the wing and bringing George Furbank in at full back, I was concerned that Saturday’s Six Nations finale against France was seen as a ‘shot to nothing’ against the best team in the world and Grand Slam champions-elect.

That is wrong. This remains a match of huge consequence for England — a fantastic opportunity to salvage another mediocre Six Nations and strike a blow against the French in their quest for world domination.

It is an occasion that requires huge effort from players and staff. Anything below that and England will find themselves in serious trouble.

An England win by any score would be an outstanding result and would put a massive gloss on a very average season.

We are witnessing something very different in French rugby, a team with all the old flair but none of the old flaws of ill-discipline and falling apart under the cosh.

What a great time it would be to land a blow! To slow that momentum and put a dent in their psyche. They would feel sick to the core if they walked off the Stade tonight as losers — even if they still won the Six Nations.

George Furbank will play on the wing in Paris, a decision that has raised plenty of eyebrows

France would secure the Six Nations title and the Grand Slam if they beat England on Saturday

They are by no means unbeatable, Wales demonstrated that. They attacked the French lineout with some success, held their own in the scrum and identified that the otherwise excellent Melvyn Jaminet can be vulnerable under the high ball.

That is clearly the rationale for putting Steward on the wing to lead the kick-chase. Kicking too much ball away to France could be extremely risky, though.

England have to contain France’s big names, like Wales did. I suspect, however, that was probably France’s dodgy match of the campaign, so England need to prepare for the France which beat the All Blacks in November and Ireland last month.

There is hope, though. Against Ireland last week we saw England’s pack gel and produce its best performance in a long time. Ellis Genge has come of age, Jamie George is back to his best and Kyle Sinckler was excellent before going off injured.

Ellis Genge’s improved form may give England hope that they can produce a win over France

But I sense this team has been selected to nullify France rather than to play to our strengths.

England’s selection of the outside backs remains baffling. Jones is still playing Henry Slade out of position, he can’t decide whether Joe Marchant is best on the wing or in the centre and Elliot Daly gets parachuted in all over the place.

Steward is a rock defensively at full back but I have yet to see the attacking dimension to his game that all elite 15s need — and now he finds himself on the wing chasing box kicks.

Freddie Steward is strong defensively but question marks remain over his attacking capability

It’s all very confusing and conveys the impression that England just do not know their best starting team. The Six Nations is no place for experimentation and development, not if you want to win it anyway.

I have supported England as a fan, player and coach all my life but looking at the two teams — the way they are playing and being coached — I just cannot see how England can win this game as long as France keep all 15 players on the pitch.

That’s the only caveat to my prediction of France by 10-plus points.