A tough trip to Twickenham will be just the tester Noves will want after seeing his team play some good rugby in the November internationals but freeze in the "red zone" against Australia and New Zealand.
"We have to go there without any complexes," admitted lock Sebastien Vahaamahina.
Since those November defeats by the Wallabies and All Blacks, tempered by a straightforward victory over Samoa, French rugby has a new federation head in the shape of former international coach Bernard Laporte.
And further pressure to perform comes from the May 10 draw for 2019 World Cup in Japan, with France not wanting to drop beyond the eighth spot they currently occupy in world rankings for fear of being drawn in a tougher pool.
"We've made a lot of progress in one year, in our game and spirit. But now we have to win games," South African-born fullback Scott Spedding said.
"It's been some time since France played a good Six Nations (last time winning in 2010). So that's very important. We mustn't simply play good matches, we have to win them as well."
And it doesn't get any tougher than a run-out at Twickenham against world second-ranked England, who are on a run of 13 consecutive victories.
France will have to do without centre Wesley Fofana (achilles), the most experienced player in the backline, "a leader", according to backs coach Jean-Frederic Dubois.
