Fellow Tigers and England U-20 squad members Greig Tonks and Gregor Gillanders both missed the fixture - Tonks because of injury and Gillanders as a result of being called up to the first-team squad for Saturday's clash with Sale at Welford Road.
The win sees England extend their unbeaten start to this year’s Six Nations and keeps alive their hopes of an impressive Grand Slam.
Saracens’ wing Noah Cato scored his third try in three internationals, with London Irish prop Alex Corbisiero adding a second try five minutes from time and kickers Alex Goode (Saracens) and Rob Miller (Newcastle Falcons) contributing the rest of the points.
“We couldn’t have had a better setting for it in a brand new stadium and we knew it was always going to be a massive task in front of 20,000 fans,” said Cato.
“We set the tone early on. Even in the tunnel we had a look at France. They were quiet and we were really buzzing.
“That showed in the way we dominated the first 30 minutes and I was absolutely elated to go over and score.
“This game was one we always had our eyes on, although what we can’t do now is to accept the performance.
“We’ve got to go on and produce a better performance next time and a lot of what we’re doing is about development. But this is a great start and it was the biggest game most of us have ever played in.”
Captain Hugo Ellis underlined the all-round performance by a team that restricted previously unbeaten France to a penalty in each half from fly half Mathieu Belie.
“We knew what to expect and how physical it would be and our boys put their bodies on the line from the first minute to the last,” said the London Wasps number eight.
“We had to defend for long periods and try to build a score, so it was a monumental defensive effort. It’s a massive win for us in such a hostile environment in front of a big French crowd.
“In terms of age-group internationals I’ve never played in such a physical game. There were bodies everywhere and lots of outstanding performances from our guys.
“We’re three from three now but we’ve got to make sure we don’t get ahead of ourselves. Nigel Redman, Mark Mapletoft and myself as well will all be making sure that we stay fully focused on preparing for Scotland and doing a really professional job.”
England: Dan Norton (Gloucester Rugby); Seb Stegmann (Harlequins), Luke Eves (Bristol Rugby), 12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Noah Cato (Saracens); Alex Goode (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby), Joe Gray (Northampton Saints), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Ben Thomas (Saracens), Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates), Jon Fisher (London Irish), Matt Cox (Worcester Warriors), Hugo Ellis (London Wasps, captain).
Replacements: Andy Saull (Saracens) for Cox 63, Joe Simpson (London Wasps) for Youngs 66, Tom Sargeant (Harlequins) for Saull 70, Billy Moss (Bath Rugby) for Catt 77, Rob Miller (Newcastle Falcons) for Turner-Hall 79.
Scorers: Tries: Cato, Thomas. Conversion: Goode. Penalties: Goode 3, Miller.
France: Sofiane Guitone; Vincent Melin, Charles Giminez, Alexandre Dumoulin, Djibril Camara; Mathieu Belie, Thierry Lacrampe; Rabah Slimani, Marc Antoine Rallier, Kevin Kervarac, Yoann Maestri (captain), Adrien Jaulhac, Yohan Vivalda, Arthur Chollon, Raphael Lakafia.
Replacements: Clement Maynardier for Rallier 55, Wenceslas Lauret for Chollon 63, Jean-Baptiste Roidot for Vivalda 66, Adrien Timoteo for Melin 70.
Scorers: Penalties: Belie 2
