Earlier this week, Gillanders was picked for England's squad for the World Championships due to take place in Belfast.
Coach Nigel Redman named his starting line-up for the double-header at Henley on Saturday, where the U-19s follow the U-18 Six Nations side (in which Tigers have four players in the squad) onto the pitch at 4pm.
There are two changes to the side that was due to play against Wales earlier this month before heavy rain forced a frustrating late cancellation of the game at Aberavon.
Alex Goode (Saracens) makes a first start at full-back while Tom Bedford (Exeter) comes into the centre with Worcester Warriors pair Miles Benjamin and Greg King moving to the replacements bench. Prop Danny Birchall (Sale Sharks) joins the squad for this game only to cover for Bath's Billy Moss.
Joe Simpson (London Wasps) and Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes) provide an experienced half-back pairing while England Sevens starlet David Smith, Newcastle Falcons centre Alex Tait and Saracens wing Noah Cato should provide a sharp cutting edge in attack.
The game is England's final warm-up outing before the IRB U-19 World Championship kicks off on April 5.
But they face a tough test against France, who they beat in the World Championship third-place play-off in Dubai last year.
"The side we've picked is an exciting one," said Ellis, the London Wasps number eight in his second season with the side.
"From a team perspective, it's an exciting time for everyone. It's a bit unfortunate for the guys who would have started against Wales but everyone will get their chance and on Saturday we need to perform and show the potential that's there.
"Predominantly I'm looking for the front five to dominate physically and secure the good ball we need so we can play the game we want to.
"We've got a very expansive backline and we'll be looking to get the ball wide but first and foremost it's up to the forwards to secure that good ball.
"I'm sure France will have a few survivors like ourselves from Dubai and I remember them being a decent outfit so I'm sure it'll be a tough game for us. We've got a very tough group in Belfast and we need a tough game like this one to prepare for it."
England fly to Belfast on March 31 to prepare for their three group games against Samoa at Shaw's Bridge on April 5 (7.30pm), Argentina at Belfast Harlequins on April 9 (7.30pm) and last year's beaten finalists New Zealand at Ravenhill on April 13 (5.30pm) before the knock-out stages that climax in the finals day on April 21.
England Under-19 side
15 Alex Goode (Saracens)
14 David Smith (Northampton Saints)
13 Tom Bedford (Exeter Chiefs)
12 Alex Tait (Newcastle Falcons)
11 Noah Cato (Saracens)
10 Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes & Hymers College)
9 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
1 Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
2 Joe Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
3 Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
4 Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates)
5 Ben Thomas (Saracens)
6 Matthew Cox (Worcester Warriors)
7 Andy Saull (Saracens)
8 Hugo Ellis (Capt, London Wasps)
Replacements
16 Jack Steadman (Bristol Rugby)
17 Scott Freer (Leeds Tykes)
18 Danny Birchall (Sale Sharks)
19 Gregor Gillanders (Leicester Tigers)
20 Danny Pointon (Northampton Saints)
21 Gareth Griffiths (Bristol Rugby)
22 Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs)
23 Greg King (Worcester Warriors & Hartpury College)
24 Garth Dew (Sale Sharks)
25 Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors)
26 Jon Fisher (London Irish & Wellington College)
