England and France, the two heavyweights of European rugby, clash in what could be a winner-takes-all encounter.

At stake is not only the possible destiny of this season's championship crown, but early posturing rights with regard to the World Cup later this year and who will head the northern hemipshere's challenge for global supremacy.

England are still hurting from last season's defeat in Paris - a loss far more emphatic than the 20-15 scoreline suggests.

England boss Clive Woodward described it as England's worst performance of the year, although that verdict detracts somewhat from a breathtaking French display, especially during the opening 30 minutes, when no team in the world would have lived with them.

The setback cost England any realistic hope they had of retaining their Six Nations crown, but since then, Woodward's men have gone from strength to strength, defeating Argentina in Buenos Aires before toppling southern hemisphere giants New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in quick succession during the autumn.

France though, also had an autumn to savour, defeating South Africa and drawing with New Zealand, results which have increased anticipation levels for Saturday's Twickenham appointment almost off the scale.

Intriguing individual battles abound - Fabien Galthie versus Andy Gomarsall, Richard Hill against rising young star Imanol Harinordoquy, Jason Leonard opposing old adversary Christian Califano on the occasion of his 100th England cap, and so it goes on.

Above all, rugby looks certain to be the winner.

With such an array of talent on parade, it is hard to imagine any other outcome.