France hosts England this weekend in a pivotal round halfway through the Six Nations.
England needs to win at Stade de France to keep alive hopes of ending a five-year title drought, while France has the chance to move closer to an unprecedented third straight outright championship.
In Saturday’s other games, Wales, the only other perfect starter after two rounds, receive a tough challenge from Italy at Cardiff, while Ireland also can re-ignite its bid against Scotland in Dublin.
France and England are each relying on fresh halfback talent in a rerun of last year’s World Cup semifinal, which England won 14-9.
Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc, who have made two appearances each, will start at scrumhalf and flyhalf for France, while England has dropped World Cup starter Andy Gomarsall to give Richard Wigglesworth his first start.
France coach Marc Lievremont’s choices of new players have paid off with wins over Scotland and Ireland, and he has made bold selections for Saturday beyond his inside backs.
Louis Picamoles, whose first cap was as a substitute in the 26-21 defeat of Ireland 13 days ago, will start at No.8 as France aims to stay on course for a fourth Six Nations title in five years.
But with the 19-year-old Parra and 21-year-old Trinh-Duc in the lineup, France will not have a recognised goalkicker.
Dimitri Yachvili and David Skrela are among the replacements but France will line up without a recognised kicker for the first time in 18 years.
Like centre Denis Charvet did against England in February 1980, centre Damien Traille will double up as makeshift kicker.
Lievremont said his selection was inspired by the need to break down a tough English defence.
“It’s true that these young players can lack experience, and that France-England is always a special match, but we want to fulfill our game goals and we’re counting on the enthusiasm of young players,” Lievremont said.
“To face the English defence, which is superior to Ireland’s, we’re going to have to offer more constructed, more structured play.”
England coach Brian Ashton stuck with the reliable kicking of Jonny Wilkinson despite his slight dip in form contributing to the opening loss to Wales, and resisted the temptation to draft in the talented Danny Cipriani.
Other than Wigglesworth’s introduction, the only other two changes for England were Andrew Sheridan at loosehead prop after he recovered from an abscess near his Achilles and captain Phil Vickery at tighthead after he had a stomach complaint.
Ashton wants his players to bounce back from the poor second half that allowed Italy to rally from 20-6 down to 23-19 in Rome, hoping that Wigglesworth can help prompt a faster match.
Nick Mallett made four changes to his starting lineup as Italy seeks to build upon its strong showing against England.
Andrea Marcato will start at fullback in place of injured David Bortolussi, and Alberto Sgarbi will be on the right wing, with both starting for the first time.
Simon Picone at scrumhalf and Salvatore Perugini at loosehead prop were the only other changes for Italy.
Former captain Marco Bortolami, who missed the first two games of the tournament because of an eye injury, will be in the reserves.
Wales has not beaten Italy since its Grand Slam in 2005, drawing at home then losing in Rome last season.
Ireland made two changes to the lineup that rallied against France from 26-6 down to lose by five. Winger Tommy Bowe replaced Geordan Murphy and Mick O’Driscoll bumped out Malcolm O’Kelly at lock. The fitness of captain Brian O’Driscoll and substitute prop Tony Buckley were also being monitored.
Scotland, already without concussed captain Jason White, suffered a blow when flanker John Barclay was ruled out after injuring his hand in a freak home accident. Someone sat on a glass cup he was holding.
Allister Hogg was in at No.7 and uncapped Ross Rennie in the replacements.
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