England side for crunch French test named

England coach Gary Street has made three changes to this team to play France this weekend in a crunch 6 Nations game in Paris.

Backrow partners Maggie Alphonsi and Sarah Hunter(pictured)both return to the starting line-up while Bristols Marlie Packer moves from open-side flanker to blind-side flanker after an impressive performance again last time out.

Also in the 22, Richmond lock Rebecca Essex returns from injury having missed the first three rounds of 6 Nations action, while Isabelle Noel Smith is also back on the bench.

Wasps wing Michaela Staniford, who is Englands top try scorer in the tournament with five tries, is set to claim her 50th cap.

Head coach Gary Street said: We have performed well over the last three games but we are now at the business end of the championship and it is important that we have consistency in the starting XV. This is a strong England side ready for a very big game against a powerful French outfit thatll be looking to upset our run.

With England and France the only two unbeaten teams in left in the tournament, there is everything to play for this weekend.

England head into Sundays match on the back of victories over Scotland, Italy and Wales. They have scored 123 points and conceded just three as they look to secure a record breaking seventh consecutive title and another Grand Slam.

England team to play France, Sunday March 11th, Stade Charlety in Paris, kick off 1245pm GMT.(Live on Sky Sports)15 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)14 Kay Wilson (Bristol)13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)12 Rachael Burford (Richmond)11 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)10 Katy McLean (c) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)9 La Toya Mason (Wasps)1 Laura Keates (Worcester)2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol)4 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)5 TamaraTaylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)6 Marlie Packer (Bristol)7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)

Replacements:16 Amy Turner (Richmond)17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)18 Rebecca Essex (Richmond)19 Isabelle Noel Smith (Bristol)20 Georgina Rozario (Lichfield)21 Ceri Large (Worcester)22 Kimberley Oliver (Bristol)