France have been far from their fluent best without half-back generals Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack and are yet to win at home in this Six Nations.
Fabien Galthie’s side beat Wales last weekend, but World Cup-winning scrum-half Matt Dawson says “England will be ready to take on the world” after overcoming Ireland.
“For England, France was and is still an enormous fixture,” Dawson told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Wales showed on many occasions last weekend some frailties in the way France are defending. I would expect England to really throw some fizz at them.
“There is a bigger question for France to answer. Their fans have been right behind them for a significant period of time and France need to deliver.”
France can also make a late title push if Ireland finish empty-handed and they can better Scotland’s margin of victory and secure a bonus point.