Just four months after Martin Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in Sydney, England are fighting for their RBS 6 Nations lives.

And they couldn't face a tougher finale, facing a Grand Slam-chasing French team in Paris.

France know that victory would not only give them a coveted clean sweep, but also avenge last November's World Cup semi-final defeat against England.

Les Bleus are the firm favourites, but England are desperate to finish the tournament on a high after seeing their Grand Slam dream destroyed by a shock home defeat against Ireland three weeks ago.

Lawrence Dallaglio's team can still retain their RBS 6 Nations crown, but it will require a colossal effort.

If they defeat France by eight points or more, then the championship will be theirs unless Ireland defeat Scotland in Dublin by a landslide scoreline.

A seven-point win will also be enough, provided that England stay ahead of France on overall try-count, which currently stands at 15-12 in their favour.

England have struggled to cope at times without the inspirational presence of their retired World Cup leader Johnson and the fly-half skills of injured Jonny Wilkinson, but Saturday night at the Stade de France is the time to deliver.

Head coach Sir Clive Woodward says that his team relish the big pressure game situations, and they don't come much more intense than what awaits the players on Saturday.

If England can ruin the planned French party, win the game and also the championship, then it would rank among the greatest achievements in Woodward's six-and-a-half-year coaching reign.