Fabulous France Thrash England

Mar 14, 2023

England 10 v 53 France

France ended their Twickenham hoodoo in thrilling trend, thrashing England to maintain their title hopes alive. It was a wonderful efficiency from a French facet that had failed to seek out high gear coming into the sport and an announcement for anybody doubting them in lieu of current outcomes. France turned Twickenham right into a playground, barrelling England into submission with relentless physicality, streetwise savvy, and a sprinkle of magic. It was a savage efficiency from the French, ruthlessly environment friendly in every part they did, razor-sharp when any attacking alternative introduced itself. There have been heroes from one to fifteen, however Antoine Dupont produced a show as outrageous because it was excellent, cementing his standing as a world famous person.

It was a sobering afternoon for England. The optimism that had been effervescent forward of the sport was punctured by half-time. By the top, they’d slipped to a report dwelling defeat, baggage no participant desires to hold. France deserve a platitude of superlatives, however England have been by no means on the races, harassed and humbled by a rapier-like French facet. England’s strengths in opposition to Wales have been turned to jelly; France bossed the kicking recreation and bullied them on the breakdown. Statistically, England marginally had extra possession and territory, but other than a quick five-minute spell at the beginning of the second half, they by no means seemed threatening. England spent eighty minutes on the canvas, France pulling all of the punches.

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The pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated earlier than France had their first strive of the match. Two English errors have been ruthlessly exploited; Jack van Poortvliet’s field kick was too lengthy, and Henry Slade made a misinterpret in midfield. Gregory Aldritt made the preliminary half-break, feeding the rangy Thibaud Flament, who fantastically offloaded to Ethan Dumortier, and the winger fed Thomas Ramos to attain. It was a frantic opening, however France stored their composure, with Jonathan Danty proving a menace on the breakdown, as England needed to scrap onerous at each ruck. England have been responsible of under-resourcing some breakdowns and, as compensation, over-resourcing others, harming their part play. With the rain beginning to come down, England struggled to tug any attacking punches of their very own, France’s defence relentless.

France’s second strive stemmed from a second of excellence from Antoine Dupont, the scrum half recognizing England realigning within the backfield and placing in a exact kick, leading to a 50/22. France didn’t waste their attacking platform, the excellent Flament barrelling over with a tough line across the nook. England received on the board with a Marcus Smith penalty shortly afterwards however dedicated the cardinal sin of infringing on the restart. Foolish penalties have been hurting England, and France have been in no temper for mercy, Ramos’s penalty restoring their seventeen-point buffer. That they had their third strive shortly earlier than halftime, Aldritt peeling off the again of a robust scrum earlier than feeding Charles Ollivon on his inside to attain. France led 27-3 happening the tunnel, Twickenham in full shock.

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If there was any type of solace for England, it was that France had fallen off the boil within the second half of their win in opposition to Scotland. England began the second half wanting sharper and nearly had their first strive, however Max Malins couldn’t management Smith’s crossfield kick. Nonetheless, they didn’t have to attend lengthy, the arrival of Alex Mitchell injected some much-needed tempo, and Freddie Steward picked an excellent line to provide England a sniff. Nonetheless, any notions of a comeback have been quickly destroyed as France wrestled again the momentum by way of their kicking recreation, penning England again. Dupont was as soon as once more instrumental of their fourth strive, his intelligent kick in behind being tipped on by Romain Ntamack into the grateful arms of Flament, who powered over.

France’s fifth strive was all about velocity of thought, Ramos recognising the knock-on benefit and slicing by way of the England defence earlier than placing in a well-placed kick downfield. Smith did nicely to mop it up initially, however France’s chase was ravenous, forcing him again over his line. Crucially, Smith didn’t dot the ball down, and Ollivon confirmed nice consciousness, reaching over the ruck and touching it down for the rating. It was a rating that epitomised the sharpness of the French, always alert to any alternative. France nearly compelled one other rating by way of their kicking recreation, Dupont accumulating his chip from inside his personal 22 earlier than booting the ball on, Smith in a position to carry it over his line this time.

Any sense of aid was short-lived, and once more all of it got here from a kick, Gael Fickou recognizing a knackered Alex Dombrandt marking Damian Penaud within the vast channels. No contest. The jet-heeled winger glided away, diving over for France’s sixth strive. The floodgates had opened, and France’s closing strive got here from a slick line-out transfer, quick fingers setting Penaud free for his second strive. England seemed lifeless on their toes on the finish, Ollie Lawrence’s damage forcing poor Dombrandt to line up within the centres, one thing they brutally uncovered for his or her closing strive. The ultimate whistle offered mercy for England and sparked scenes of French jubilation, the Twickenham curse banished.

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It was a depressing afternoon for England, the rain might have been intermittent, however the heavens nicely and really opened on them. It was a defeat that can pose many questions on England’s model of play and choice as they have been comprehensively outplayed. The number of Marcus Smith over Owen Farrell was a key speaking level forward of the sport, however in the end England have been left wanting all around the park; particular person persecution is pointless and unhelpful. What’s extra worrying is how sluggish England seemed, gradual to adapt to occasions, a worrying trait that was typically used as a persist with beat Eddie Jones. Steve Borthwick summed it up completely when he mentioned, “We received uncovered at present”. A rampant Eire lurk across the nook, a disconcerting thought, and England should shortly haul themselves up from the canvas.

France can bask within the glow of arguably their greatest-ever Six Nations efficiency, although they will’t be overly hopeful of England serving to their title cost subsequent weekend. Their victory on Saturday is the magnum opus of the Galthié and Edwards period, all sides of their recreation coming collectively; energy, precision, effectivity, and a sprinkling of aptitude. France’s identification of area is unparalleled, and so they brutally and repeatedly uncovered England. If their defeat in opposition to Eire and fewer convincing victories over Scotland and Italy had created some doubts forward of the World Cup, Galthié’s facet squashed them emphatically.