Freddie Burns, the Gloucester outside-half whose 17-minute cameo for England in the pre-Christmas victory over the All Blacks suggested he might single-handedly transform the national team's fortunes as an attacking force, is under consideration for his club's Premiership derby at Bath on Friday night. If he plays, it will be his first outing since mid-January, when he damaged knee ligaments in the early stages of a European tie with the French side Mont-de-Marsan.

Man-for-man marking from the Six Nations match at Twickenham

When Philippe Saint-André said France "lost their lucidity and precision after 60 minutes and with it the game," he was in part criticising himself: the coach made his key substitution decisions either side of the hour mark, and they all went wonky on him. "I expected more from the players I sent on," he admitted. "That is true."

Victory over France despite set-piece failings is a huge fillip for Lancaster

He has reclaimed his spot as England hooker and he doesn't plan to lose it again – or today's battle with France, he tells Chris Hewett

Restored French scrum-half might shock England with some typical flair – but home side are in by far the better place

England have made it their business to present a smiling face to the world since Stuart Lancaster's arrival as head coach – indeed, the players have been almost unnervingly polite and approachable for more than a year now – but the "after you, Claude" theory of rugby does not extend to selection. Lancaster lifted the veil on his own ruthless streak by making three changes to his starting line-up for the Six Nations meeting with France and if he felt even a tinge of sorrow for the demoted trio, he showed no sign of it.

France has 250 foreign players in its top-flight which is doing little to help the national team

England entertain France at Twickenham this weekend

Out in the cold a year ago, scrum-half has roared back to be a key part of England's rebuilt side