With England’s first-choice loose-head Ellis Genge recovering from a calf problem, the versatile Asher Opoku-Fordjour, more usually a tighthead option, has switched sides of the scrum to cover.
George Martin, who has made an impressive return to action for Leicester in recent weeks after 14 months out with injury, starts in the second row, while Bath’s Ted Hill bringing an additional line-out option at blind-side flanker.
Tom Curry, who has made only two appearances since limping out of England’s warm-up before defeat by Italy in March, is at openside flanker, with Harlequins Alex Dombrandt at number eight.
George Ford captains England at fly-half, but Leicester pair Ollie Chessum and Joe Heyes, key figures in the Tigers’ run to the Prem semi-finals, are rested, along with Saracens’ Ben Earl and Jamie George.
Players from Northampton and Exeter have not been considered for selection as they contest the Prem final on Saturday.
France will name their team later on Wednesday and have some high-calibre talent to pick from, despite the absence of players from Top 14 semi-finalists Toulouse, Montpellier, Racing 92 and Stade Francais.
Yoram Moefana and Mickael Guillard, central to France’s title-winning Six Nations campaign, are among the possible starters.
The match, which kicks off at 17:15 BST and will be shown on streaming service RugbyPass TV, is the only warm-up for England’s Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg on 4 July.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting challenge against a strong French team in what will be a demanding fixture,” said head coach Steve Borthwick.
“I’m eager to see this group get out there and show what they’re capable of.”
