England 26-25 France: Final-gasp Elliot Daly strive seals dramatic Six Nations victory at Allianz Stadium

An excellent England efficiency noticed them get their Six Nations marketing campaign again on observe towards an error-filled France, sealing a 26-25 victory at Twickenham courtesy of a last-gasp Elliot Daly strive. 

Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored for France with 5 minutes to play to seemingly steal a dramatic win in rain-sodden situations, however England had different concepts.

Centre Ollie Lawrence, wing Tommy Freeman and alternative prop Fin Baxter additionally scored tries for the hosts as they fought again from six factors down within the second half to steer by some extent with 9 minutes to play towards a heavily-fancied French aspect.

Wings Bielle-Biarrey (two) and Damian Penaud scored tries for France, with full-back Thomas Ramos including 10 factors through his boot.

Marcus Smith missed 5 factors off the kicking tee, whereas within the absence of the suspended Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont was shifted out of place to fly-half for France within the second interval, however they had been by no means at their fluent finest.

Daly scored the match-winning strive proper on the finish of the sport

France settled into the competition in possession faster, however a sequence of dealing with errors within the situations denied them an early opening rating.

Centre Pierre-Louis Barassi despatched an unsympathetic move infield which Bielle-Biarrey could not declare, second-row Alexandre Roumat dropped the ball within the England 22, Dupont could not maintain onto a move within the nook and Penaud twice spilled ball on the assault – the second with a seemingly sure strive on out left. Ramos additionally missed a penalty from straight in entrance.

Finally the French waves gave strategy to a rating on the half-hour, as an England error in gifting possession again to Les Bleus noticed Dupont decide up a poor Yoram Moefana offload which fell to deck, dash to the surface of Fin Smith and discover Penaud on the within. The wing then produced a intelligent kick forward which Bielle-Biarrey confirmed scorching tempo to succeed in and floor.

France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored the opening strive of the Check after a variety of earlier French errors

England’s response to that strive concession was very good, nevertheless, as Marcus Smith, Freeman and Alex Mitchell every supplied impetus going ahead, forcing protecting France prop Jean-Baptiste Gros to hold again over his try-line.

From 5 metres out, relentless England assault fuelled with baggage of vitality ultimately introduced them stage – Lawrence handing off Ramos and operating in after a Fin Smith spillage was checked by the TMO for a knock-on however confirmed as backwards.

Ollie Lawrence scored for England to stage the competition within the first half

France began the second half in a lot the identical method they’d the primary: making errors.

Roumat knocked on once more within the England 22, hooker Peato Mauvaka dropped a Bielle-Biarrey move when being performed in for a strive, whereas No 8 Gregory Alldritt additionally spilled possession below little stress.

On 50 minutes, the boot of Ramos edged France into the lead with the house aspect caught offside, however England – as they did all through the Check – responded positively with Maro Itoje getting over the ball for a breakdown penalty.

The hosts turned down a shot at posts and likelihood to stage the sport to go to the nook, however it proved the incorrect name when Mauvaka accomplished a turnover.

A France scrum penalty gained towards the pinnacle noticed Ramos stretch the result in six factors, however inside two minutes Freeman soared to assert an excellent Fin Smith cross-field kick which remoted Bielle-Biarrey.

Tommy Freeman acquired over for England’s second strive of the sport

Marcus Smith poorly missed the conversion vast for the lead, and earlier than lengthy France scored once more by means of a Penaud strive within the nook on 61 minutes.

Smith missed an opportunity off the tee to chop France’s lead again to 3 factors with one other poor kick, however with 9 minutes to go Baxter pressured his method over – Fin Smith changing for a one-point benefit.

Bielle-Biarrey then appeared to win it as France ruthlessly punished England errors, however a scrum penalty set England up for one final assault, with alternative Daly exploding onto the ball and over to substantiate victory.

Bielle-Biarrey appeared to have gained the sport with 5 minutes to play, however England took their closing likelihood

Borthwick: England’s ceiling is huge

England head coach Steve Borthwick talking to ITV:

“You want things to happen instantly. This England team is going to be a special team, there is a lot of young talent. Their ceiling is so high, but what you’ve got to do is keep working hard.

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England head coach Steve Borthwick says England’s Six Nations win against France was a great spectacle at Twickenham

“Right this moment, you noticed some issues enhance, you noticed their bravery, braveness with the ball – they’re a staff who wish to rating tries. We scored 4 tries towards an excellent France defence and restricted them to 3.

“It was an exciting Test match, I’m delighted for the players and exceptionally happy for the supporters, who are always magnificent behind this team and produced a special atmosphere.”

Fin Smith was named participant of the match after an excellent efficiency from fly-half

Participant of the match Fin Smith salutes England combat

England fly-half Fin Smith talking to ITV:

“It was back and forth. We have lost plenty of games and luckily this one went our way today. It was far from perfect but that group fought for it.

“We stored giving ourselves one other shot and we acquired ourselves over the road in the long run. Unbelievable environment, I’m delighted with that.

“Happy with it, I felt like a rabbit in the headlights in the first half. But I found my feet in the end, and I am delighted with the win more than anything but this is cool for a first start anyway.”

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England lock Maro Itoje says the 26-25 win towards a gifted France staff is particular

What’s subsequent?

Following the primary relaxation week, England are in motion on Saturday, February 22 for the third spherical of the championship, internet hosting Scotland at Twickenham (4.45pm kick-off).

France subsequent journey to face Italy on the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday, February 23 (3pm kick-off GMT), in Spherical 3 of the Six Nations.

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