Intro:

Leicester Tigers lock Geoff Parling will start England's Six Nations finale against France on Saturday with Dave Attwood dropping out, says head coach Stuart Lancaster.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Lancaster, England head coach (Q: What was the decision making behind replacing George Attwood with Geoff Parling?)

"I think when it boils down to it it's the experience that Geoff brings, he didn't go to the Lions tour by accident, he was a high quality and he's played for us in many big games and his leadership, his lineout organisation and his presence really, his speed around the field and his ability to carry the ball is excellent really. So it was a tight call, but the right call."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Lancaster, England head coach (Q: Do you think you're favourites for the Six Nations and should staggered kick offs be looked at for next season?)

"I don't think we can be seen as favourites, I don't think anyone can really at the moment. You wouldn't say it was easy for Wales to go to Italy and play, you wouldn't say it was easy for Ireland to go to Scotland and win, you know, you wouldn't say it was easy for us to beat France by whatever score. So I think it will just play out on the day. In terms of the staggered kick-off times, clearly we all know the rules from the start, so it certainly makes it exciting from your (journalists) point of view and from the fans point of view. From my point of view obviously it would be nice if we scored more points last week and we were sat there with plus four (points), we'd be sat there with plus 24 (points), but it's just the way it is. We know the rules, so it will make for an exciting weekend, that's for sure."

SOUNDBITE: (English) James Haskell, England flanker (Q: Do you think that if you sit on the French that their heads will drop?)

"With the French I'm a firm believer that probably individually as players they're outstanding guys, they're probably better players than we are in terms of that individual flair that they've got and I think on their day they can probably beat anyone in the world, when the mental and emotional side is correct. I think coming to Twickenham there are probably enough things that will trigger that strong mentality, the fact that they're under pressure in their own country, the fact that people are questioning them, they're a very proud nation. Throw some emotion into that, wanting to ruin England's party, want to set down a marker before the World Cup friendlies. You've just got to be prepared for the best possible French side that's going to come."