The reigning world champions are the third - and arguably toughest - opponents to visit the Stade de France this campaign for a clash of the two pre-tournament favourites.

Scotland may have scuppered both sides' hopes of the Grand Slam - as well as emerging as unlikely title challengers - but Sunday's game is still being billed as a possible championship decider.

France have bounced back from their opening weekend defeat at Murrayfield, albeit with unconvincing home wins over Ireland and Italy, while England are still licking their wounds following their Calcutta Cup defeat against the Scots just over a week ago - their first loss of the year.

Laporte insists there is no secret formula to defeating England, but believes to achieve success they will need to be both physical and raise their game to heights they have so far failed to achieve in 2006.

''I don't have any recipe to beat the English, all I know is that we will have to be good in all areas of the game and show less weaknesses than against Italy,'' he said.

''We must impose our physical strength and style. We should not be scared of physical confrontation. Rugby is more like a boxing match than a chess game.''

Laporte feels France and England's defeats to Scotland has unexpectedly opened up the race for the title.

''I was very surprised to see England lose to Scotland,'' he added. ''It showed the Scots are to be taken seriously.''

However, he still expects the winner of Sunday's encounter to be crowned champions in a little under two weeks' time.

''Against England, we will play a crucial clash to win the tournament,'' he said.

''We are expecting a difficult encounter with a lot of physical confrontation and intensity.''

Perpignan centre David Marty is suffering from a sprained left knee and was forced to pull out ahead of the game, with Brive's Ludovic Valbon taking his place in the squad.

Laporte could also be deprived of Toulouse's Florian Fritz, who injured his left knee at the weekend playing for his club.