A combined Le Crunch XV doesn't play well for England

We are on the doorstep of another title-defining Le Crunch (at least for France), with Paris’ Stade de France patiently awaiting the arrival of France and England to bring the 2026 Six Nations season to a close.

With everything set for what promises to be a brutal and spine-tingling clash, we look at both squads and pick our best Le Crunch Combined XV.

Before you scroll down to see who made the cut, please note: Only players who took part in the 2026 Six Nations campaign were eligible – this is not an all-time combined XV; data and stats were taken into account, as well as each player’s overall impact; and only players who featured in at least two matches were considered.

1. Jean-Baptiste Gros (France)
RC Toulon’s powerhouse Jean-Baptiste Gros is the first Les Bleus player to earn a spot in this Le Crunch Combined XV, not only due to his scrummaging ability but also his current form. Despite France’s scrum not being at its best, Gros has delivered standout performances, completing seven dominant tackles and maintaining a 100 per cent tackle success rate across the championship.

2. Julien Marchand (France)
Apart from a rough outing at Murrayfield, the Stade Toulousain hooker has been in strong form both in his lineout work and in open play. Marchand’s grit and physicality have been essential in establishing France’s attacking platform and defensive edge. It was a close call, though – Jamie George has been one of England’s few consistently bright performers.

3. Joe Heyes (England)
Although England have faltered over the last two rounds, their scrum has remained a weapon, with Leicester Tigers’ Joe Heyes impressing on the tighthead side. The 26-year-old has combined well with his front-row partners to win multiple scrum penalties while delivering solid defensive and counterruck contributions.

4. Charles Ollivon (France)
Maro Itoje or Charles Ollivon – who starts at No.4? Both are elite operators, but on form the Frenchman edges it. Despite being substituted early in France’s last outing, Ollivon has delivered lineout steals, turnovers, 40 dominant tackles, and two tries. A tight call, but he gets the nod.

5. Mickael Guillard (France)
The 25-year-old’s rise has been remarkable. Voted Player of the First Round by fans after a sensational outing against Ireland, the LOU utility forward has made a powerful statement in 2026 with his physicality and disruptive presence.

6. Francois Cros (France)
Not the flashiest back-rower, but Francois Cros makes France exponentially better through his detail-oriented work. His ability to destabilise opposition breakdowns – constantly hunting turnovers and slowing ball for the opposing No.9 – is exceptional. Reliable in exit plays, Cros is our blindside flanker.

7. Oscar Jegou (France)
If not for his eye-gouging incident, Oscar Jegou might have made the official Team of the Tournament. Even so, he has been the standout flanker of the championship by a distance – 72 successful tackles plus major contributions at mauls and scrums. If he can keep his discipline in check, his ceiling is enormous.

8. Ben Earl (England)
Despite England’s struggles, Ben Earl has been immense at No.8 for Steve Borthwick’s side, consistently making ground in contact and driving England into dangerous territory. Anthony Jelonch has been excellent defensively, but Earl’s physicality and influence at the collision edge this battle. If Saturday becomes a gritty arm-wrestle, Earl will be central to England’s chances.

9. Antoine Dupont (France)
There was never any world in which Antoine Dupont missed out because of a single off-day. Even in France’s worst patches, he has remained their heartbeat. His form against Ireland, Italy and Wales shows why he’s still the most impactful scrum-half in the competition.

10. Matthieu Jalibert (France)
A superb return to Six Nations action, Jalibert has added threat, tempo and creativity to the French backline. The Bordeaux-Begles playmaker tops both the try-assist and offload charts. Neither George Ford nor Fin Smith have matched his influence – an easy choice.

11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
Five tries, the third-most metres made, eleven line breaks, four try assists. Leaving Louis Bielle-Biarrey out would be madness. He is arguably France’s most in-form player right now and will be hunting another score this weekend.

12. Fabien Brau-Boirie (France)
Perhaps the most controversial inclusion, as he has played only two matches – one fewer than Fraser Dingwall – but in both outings, the 20-year-old was one of France’s standout contributors. Agile, sharp, dynamic, and currently the fourth most successful tackler in the tournament. A breakout campaign.

13. Tommy Freeman (England)
England’s struggles are not on Tommy Freeman. The Northampton Saint has been outstanding – evasive, powerful, and consistently dangerous near the try-line. He’s made significant metres in contact and injected real pace into England’s attack. A deserved inclusion.

14. Theo Attissogbe (France)
A thrill for anyone who loves a flair winger, Theo Attissogbe has been electric. With four tries, 278 metres and nine line breaks, the 21-year-old has turned heads – and looks determined to make France’s No.14 shirt his for years to come.

15. Thomas Ramos (France)
If you expected anyone else, you’re reading the wrong combined XV. Ramos is Ramos – one of the world’s best, capable of flipping a match on his own, as he nearly did last weekend. Leading the tournament in points (58) and metres made (350), he remains essential to France’s campaign.