by A Six Nations crown will have to wait another year for France but any talk of rebellion would certainly have to be dismissed. In a tournament that threatened to be disastrous, France finally finished as Ireland’s closest rivals once again when Thomas Ramos’ long-range penalty in the last minute sealed the win on a tense night in Lyon.
Despite the competition it never seemed like a drab championship part but few could have expected something contested with so much action and adversity. He was aided by a home-hopping crowd, enjoying a rare chance to see the men in Six Nations blue, at one point doing the uprights with a powerful thunderclap. It was they who raised the hosts in the last to deny England victory.
The St. Patrick’s Day party in Dublin will be spectacular with Andy Farrell’s side once again reigning, but there is something to celebrate at Twickenham and Paris too, Steve Borthwick and Fabien Galthie both quite pleased with their efforts and confident there is more to come. . England may have fallen short at the end but they backed their Irish grand slam hopes with another display of real character and confidence – although familiar first-half flaws will be a concern for their head coach.
As for France, any worries about Galthie’s future or the union’s precarious financial situation can rest for now – the French public is back behind Les Bleus. This ended a streak of three games on home soil without a win, something of a beauty and a beast. The extraordinary Damian Penaud may not have scored one of the three tries he needs to overtake Serge Blanco as France’s all-time men’s record holder, but he was impressive throughout, and like Leo Barre’s goal, who can play more further on too, another real find. . France have found rough rhythms in this tournament but can still mix their own intoxicating beat.
Although they had started the day with a mathematical chance of lifting the trophy, the pair’s championship ambitions were dashed more than an hour before kick-off, Ireland uncertain but finally taking care of business against Scotland to back-to-back crowns to achieve a goal. It left these two squabbling for second place, a rung below where they hoped to climb the pre-championship but still enough to make it because it looked like France and England fall off the ladder after mid-round disasters.
Ramos was so keen to get the game going, the Frenchman kicked off too early, referee Angus Gardner blowing his whistle back after a false start. It showed the French side eager to fire out of the blocks, the home side starting the faster with two meaty mauls to drive England back.
The urge of urgency spurred the crowd along, the French supporters booting George Ford’s claim to a mark and George Furbank falling to his knees. Furbank had more to worry about for England, though – a calf injury meant his night was almost over before it even started, with Marcus Smith retiring from his World Cup role at full-back 10 minutes after kick-off. Ford retained the kicking duties and soon had the first three points from a scrum penalty, although Ramos responded in kind soon after the break down.
Nolann Le Garrec’s initial effort was a little better. After stealing the ball from England’s line-out at the front, France looked to be on the mend when the half-back swept the ball out into midfield. But Gael Fickou had seen space in front of him, urging those inside to move quickly, and the inside backs forced. Fickou eased around the cauldron and connected with Barre, who sauntered away and found Le Garrec backing up on the inside for a coast-to-coast beauty.
As England tried to slow the game down, France hit the accelerator. Penaud made a scythe between a couple of kick chasers and went to the front, a rabbit for Louis Bielle-Biarrey to follow. Only a burst of extra acceleration from Smith saved the day for England.
Ramos added six more points from the tee and France’s lead began to increase. There was a sense of England playing right into the hands of the hosts with their go-slow strategy, allowing time for the big beasts up front to recover and the razor sharp backs to have chances in transition.
The visitors needed something before the half and finally found life, exploiting the lack of defensive synergy in France’s reshaped midfield. Henry Slade’s pop in line found Ollie Lawrence, who pushed through an open front door.
England were at least in familiar territory, drawing at half for the fifth time in this Six Nations. They came forward again with gusto and energy, Tommy Freeman immediately eating open pasture on the right before Sam Underhill and Ben Earl plowed more central ditches. Once again Lawrence provided the highlights, but even tougher obstacles were brushed aside with a superb score from short range.
England was energetic; France enervated. From the clear line ball, the great Earl got between two French defenders who were barking after neat hands at the line, Smith riding shotgun and dropped within a quick distance of the home side.
The game was turned on its head, England now eight good. France turned to her bench ballast to try to right the ship, a tight four five ahead of the point and the waters tight. It worked almost immediately, Peato Mauvaka and company pulling back England’s eight and creating space for Barre on the right. Soon after, the game had turned sour again, the electric Penaud pouncing on the loose ball to half-volley forward and connecting with Fickou for France’s third try.
England had gone deep in the well last week and felt a testing task to find deep reserves again. Manu Tuilagi – perhaps making a safe appearance in white – joined Lawrence in the centers in Borthwick’s own bench power and helped set the stage for Freeman to tackle the right line, Ford’s no-nonsense conversion snaking England to front. But there was time left for Ramos to start the ball and finally settle the writhing contest.
