Alex Goode believes France remain the most dangerous team in rugby despite losing their opening two Six Nations matches against Italy and Wales.
France will arrive at Twickenham a week on Saturday trying to avoid equalling their worst start to a championship since 1982 when they lost their first three games.
England, on the other hand, are on course for the Grand Slam after defeating Scotland (38-18) and Ireland (12-6) but Goode is wary of France.
“The French will be looking to deliver a backlash after their losses and we are well aware they are still the most dangerous team in world rugby,” the England full-back said.
“They aren’t a bad side and we will have to be ready for anything at Twickenham.
“Having lost those two games, I’m sure they will say, ‘Let’s just go out there and play,’ and that is why they are dangerous.”
Goode was heartened by his display in Dublin, given that he only returned to fitness just before the Six Nations following six weeks out with a shoulder injury.
“I wanted a big performance from myself against Ireland. People were saying maybe I was rusty because I’d missed a few weeks going into the Scotland game so it was great to show what I could do,” the Saracens back said. “There are always people breathing down your neck who want the jersey and it’s about me going out and playing well for the team.
“In Dublin, I wanted to come out and play well for the team and it turned out to be a lot of cat and mouse with their No10 and I enjoyed the battle.
“We knew before the game there would be a lot of high balls and as a back three we had to concentrate throughout the match.”
England showed great discipline and commitment to overcome the sin-binning of James Haskell in the second half.
Goode added: “We are working hard as team. We’re all in this together and if anyone does make a mistake then there is someone to dig them out of trouble.
“When we were reduced to 14 men, everyone lifted his game and made it very tough for the Irish.”
