| Location: The Principality Stadium, Cardiff Dates: Saturday, February 27th Kick off: 16:45 GMT |
| Area: Watch live broadcast on BBC One or BBC iPlayer; listen to BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales or BBC Radio Cymru and follow a live text report on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Billy Vunipola from England says strict coronavirus rules in camp are challenging, but that it would be worthwhile to revolt as a man defeating France.
Les Bleus will find out on Wednesday whether Sunday ‘s Six Nations match against Scotland can go ahead after 10 players were tested for Covid – 19.
England players can go out socially but are largely confined to their hotel rooms when not training or eating.
Vunipola said the rules came as a “shock” when the competition began.
England trained in coronavirus blisters through their successful Harvest Cup campaign.
Restrictions became even tougher when they returned to camp before the Six Nations and Vunipola says loneliness was particularly difficult to deal with after England. loss of opening for Scotland.
“We came into this camp thinking that everything would fall into place as it did in the autumn,” the 28-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Constraints tightened and time combined as a team became more difficult to come by because of the two-meter rule. Face-to-face time was polarized in a stricter way.
“That was a surprise to some of us – to me in particular. I remember saying to Andrea [Furst, team psychologist] that I will be spending a lot of time in my room.
“But it’s not so good to be in a room by yourself with your thoughts when you’re not doing very well.”
‘That’s how you can return’ from the Covid revolution
France are top of the Six Nations record after winning opening games against Italy and Ireland, but their campaign was thrown off course by the coronavirus revolution.
Coach Fabien Galthie and another member of the backroom staff tested positive for Covid-19 on Feb. 16 and the virus then spread among the players.
The Les Bleus trial revealed more cases during the week and the number of lone players is currently at 10.
The French Rugby Federation announced on Tuesday that there had been no positive results in the latest test round.
“You understand how important it is that we maintain our pace, wash our hands and wear the masks,” Vunipola said.
“Your venture could be down the toilet with one positive issue because you have two or three closely related and then that’s it. There’s no way you can come back from it.”
‘Wales loves them and they should’
They are defending England in third place in the table after beating Scotland to victory against Italy.
Vunipola failed to make his usual win in both games and was replaced by Ben Earl in the 58th minute against Italy.
Saracens’ back row said he would not be “hiding away”, saying: “I’ve found myself in a situation where I have to work harder to get into the team and do really well. . “
On Saturday, England take on the Welsh team to run the Triple Crown in Cardiff after opening wins against Scotland and Ireland.
Eddie Jones’ side enter the game at their best and will not have to contend with a hostile Welsh crowd, but Vunipola is looking forward to a difficult day at the Principality.
“Everyone says it’s Cardiff without a crowd,” he said. “He is still a very experienced Welsh team who are doing very well at the moment.
“It simply came to our notice then. We know how important this weekend is to keep our campaign going. “