France claims the Six Nations Cup with victory over England

Tries by Gael Fico, François Kroos and Antoine Dupont, plus 10 factors from Melvin Jamenet’s boot, secured the Grand Slam as France received the Six Nations title for the primary time in 12 years

France celebrates profitable the Six Nations Championship

France claimed their first Six Nations title in 12 years and secured the Grand Slam with a 25-13 victory over England in Paris on Saturday night time.

Makes an attempt by Gael Fico and François Kroos, in addition to two penalties and a turnover from Melvin Jamenet, put the French nationwide crew first with an 18-6 lead within the first half, with Marcus Smith responding to the guests with two penalties.

Freddy Steward, who moved from full-back to winger to accommodate George Forbank, was a part of a smoldering England squad who benefited from a robust second-half begin with an try that was transformed within the forty eighth minute.

However a jubilant Antoine Dupont responded with a transformed rating to present France a 12-point lead forward of the ultimate quarter and, regardless of England’s valiant efforts, proved sufficient to finish a decade of ready till one other victory within the Six Nations.

sport story

France began the night time figuring out that victory was nothing lower than they might declare the title for the primary time since 2010 because of Eire’s bonus factors win at residence to Scotland earlier within the day, whereas one of the best England may do was end third. .

Eddie Jones’ males’s method to making an attempt to open up France’s Sean Edwards protection was evident from the early minutes, with half of Smith mixing his kicks and pushing Ellis Genji out of deep friction at any time when the hosts kicked for a very long time.

Some fierce tackles and glorious work on the collapse from France made some essential early turns of their crew’s half, and shortly that became dangerous-looking counter-attacks that would have seen them advance within the early levels with greater than a Gaminenet penalty within the ninth minute. Lula ship errors.

Gael Fico finishes France’s first try

However when the opening try got here 1 / 4 of an hour later, it was from a trademark glowing assault that constructed the again and forwards in unison and ended when Roman Netamak’s vast go to the suitable bounced again and Fico collected it. For the outer middle to complete.

That outcome wasn’t transformed by Jaminet, however Smith made no mistake 4 minutes after his first likelihood with the boot after he breached Uini Atonio when collapsing, taking the penalty from 42 metres.

The French full-back responded within the twenty third minute to punish a foul by his counterpart Forbank, who conceded an out streak by catching the ball with one foot, with a second penalty kick.

Smith’s second long-range try stored England shut as they earned floor with a flowing assault that confirmed what they may do once they obtained a fast ball of luck, however regardless of Jaminet mistaking one from inside his half, France managed so as to add to the first-half tally. .

Marcus Smith kicked two penalties within the first half and transformed for England

That got here from one other flowing offensive transfer after Gabin Villier launched Anthony Gelonch for the again row to assault England 22, and though Genji got here up with an outstanding deal with to cease Netamak on his streak, Kroos was there to in some way get by way of a wall. of the defenders to place the ball on the attempt line adopted by accumulating Jaminet by including the extras.

It was all on England shortly after the beginning of the second half as France kicked into play from the beginning, and though the chance that adopted after the guests opted to the touch the ball from a penalty kick into kickable vary yielded no outcomes, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than they do this. Cross the road attempt.

Joe Marchant burst out of a spot in protection after a French halftime streak introduced England shut and the ball rapidly moved to the suitable to exchange Elliot Daly within the first half – as a substitute of the injured Jacques Noel – to serve. Host in an effort that was transformed from overseas on a big scale by Smith.

England have been now within the lead, however a penalty kick once they have been in assault once more regarded prefer it was taking the wind out of their sails a bit and Dupont swung the match in France’s favour by offloading Gregory Aldert because the hosts sprint. Ahead and shadows by way of the protection to complete one other diverting try.

Frenchman Antoine Dupont scored his crew’s third try

The away crew wasn’t completed and got here shut once more, with substitute Alex Dumbrandt being held up because of some nice last-minute protection and Villier preserving his cool to win again a well-placed goalkeeper from Smith with Steward.

Finally, Fabian Gatti’s facet is not going to deny themselves the glory their efficiency deserves all through this 12 months’s championship, whereas England edged out their outdated rivals in Scotland by factors to complete third.

Match stats

What did they are saying

France Basic Supervisor Rafael Ibanez talking on ITV

“Twelve years is a really very long time and it was a really intense last, however we obtained the reward. I feel we have been very lucky to have such a tremendous group of gamers.

“Enjoying truthful with England, they tried to interrupt our defence, however I feel crew spirit and techniques received us the sport. I like to recommend our gamers to maintain their toes on the bottom as a result of it is a large step for this crew tonight and there is extra to return – I feel we will nonetheless enhance our sport.”

England captain Courtney Lawz talking on ITV

“It’s extremely disappointing, to be trustworthy. We positively had them match, we felt like they have been getting drained and didn’t principally profit. That is on us, now we have lots to study, however I am pleased with that boys’ effort.”

“We’d have cherished to exit right here and win. I actually thought we’d do it in just a few levels of the match, however we did not use it effectively sufficient.”

What then?

Consideration now turns to the worldwide groups’ summer season excursions, which see France head to Japan for a sequence of two Exams in July.

England returned to motion towards the Barbarians at Twickenham on 19 June, adopted by departure for a sequence of three Exams in Australia.