The Grand Slam hopes of both England and France disappeared in their last matches but there remains plenty at stake in this year's Six Nations for both sides.
England's title hopes are remote after losing to Wales a fortnight ago, the irony being that they were more impressive in that defeat than in their opening two victories.
But beating France would provide some measure of revenge for Les Bleus' win in last year's World Cup quarter-final.
More importantly, it would be a boost in their efforts to climb back into the top four of the world rankings ahead of the draw for the 2015 World Cup - defeat by Wales saw them slip to sixth.
That most recent meeting with France was Martin Johnson's last match in charge and the RFU's decision to hold interviews for his permanent replacement before the end of the Six Nations means interim head coach Stuart Lancaster may have been scribbling notes on his CV as well as his team sheet this week.
Lancaster has impressed so far although his lack of international experience remains an issue for some, while Leicester head coach Matt O'Connor aimed some barbs at the England set-up earlier this week - but for all that in-coming RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie's protestations that things will not depend on remaining results, a victory over the French can only help Lancaster's cause.
In terms of the Championship title, France's destiny remains in their own hands despite the disappointing draw with Ireland which saw them also slip a place in the world rankings to fourth. Win their last two matches and they will be crowned Six Nations champions for the sixth time.
France have yet to find their stride this year and looked sluggish early on against Ireland although Philippe Saint-Andre, the only one of the three new head coaches to remain unbeaten, said the match was their best so far - although he admitted: "We need to be much more clever and more clinical against England".
Saint-Andre's appointment was expected to bring France some managerial stability but he has shown that he is not afraid to ring the changes and spring surprises a la Lievremont.
Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc, who started every game together in France's 2010 Grand Slam-winning campaign, have been axed for a half-back pairing who have never previously started a match together at international level.
Saint-Andre announced himself on the world stage as a player 21 years ago against England when he finished one of the finest tries ever scored at Twickenham, and the Frenchman spent his formative coaching years with Gloucester and Sale.
But there will be no room for sentiment as he aims to extend France's unbeaten home run in the Six Nations to 11 matches.
As he puts it: "I have a huge debt to England rugby. Maybe the best way to say thanks is to beat them."
France : 15-Clement Poitrenaud, 14-Vincent Clerc, 13-Aurelien Rougerie, 12-Wesley Fofana, 11-Julien Malzieu, 10-Lionel Beauxis, 9-Julien Dupuy; 1-Jean-Baptiste Poux, 2-Dimitri Szarzewski, 3-Nicolas Mas, 4-Pascal Pape, 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 7-Julien Bonnaire, 8-Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements: 16-William Servat, 17-Vincent Debaty, 18-Lionel Nallet, 19-Louis Picamoles, 20-Morgan Parra, 21-Francois Trinh-Duc, 22-Maxime Mermoz
England : 15-Ben Foden, 14-Chris Ashton, 13-Manu Tuilagi, 12-Brad Barritt, 11-Charlie Sharples, 10-Owen Farrell, 9-Lee Dickson; 1-Alex Corbisiero, 2-Dylan Hartley, 3-Dan Cole, 4-Mouritz Botha, 5-Geoff Parling, 6-Tom Croft, 7-Chris Robshaw, 8-Ben Morgan
Replacements: 16-Rob Webber, 17-Matt Stevens, 18-Tom Palmer, 19-Phil Dowson, 20-Ben Youngs, 21-Charlie Hodgson, 22-Mike Brown
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Alain Rolland (France)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), John Lacey (Ireland)
TV: Jim Yuille (Scotland)
