Rugby Union: Mapletoft has the edge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England A 24 France A 21
ENGLAND REMAIN on course for the shadow Grand Slam but were only able to claim the spoils in a close and tense match in the final minutes, thanks to a 40-metre penalty goal from Mark Mapletoft.
This absorbing encounter centred on two well-matched sets of forwards with the respective props, Graham Rowntree and Darren Crompton and Patrice Collazo and Stephane de Bescombes, proving towers of strength and determination. The England backs did not handle the challenge particularly well and lacked the flair of their opponents where the centres Luc Lafforgue and Patrick Arletta ran with great purpose and pace. The tackling of the French backs destroyed England's many attempts to move the ball across their line.
England's steadying influence came from the flanker Ben Clarke and the captain, Tony Diprose, at No 8, together with good lineout ball from Rob Fidler, and it was their efforts that contained a menacing French team.
Starting at a cracking pace, England were seven points clear in as many minutes with a scintillating try from Scott Benton, which Mapletoft converted from the touchline, but the visitors were level within three minutes. Marc del Maso crashed over and Stephane Prosper converted. Duly encouraged, France went close on many occasions but could not break a tight red rose defence.
It was England who achieved success with a Diprose try following sustained pressure by the strong home pack, a period in which the injured Adam Vander was replaced by Steve Ojomoh to give England a 12-7 lead at half-time.
In an enthralling second half, England were indebted to the excellent kicking of Mapletoft with four penalty goals, while France scored two fine tries through Thierry Cleda and Lafforgue, both converted by Prosper.
England A: Tries Benton, Diprose. Conversion Mapletoft. Penalties Mapletoft 4. France A: Tries Cleda, Dal Maso, Lafforgue. Conversions Prosper 3.
ENGLAND A: C Catling (Gloucester); L Lloyd (Leicester), N Burrows (London Irish), P Mensah (Harlequins), T Underwood (Newcastle); M Mapletoft, S Benton (both Gloucester); G Rowntree (Leicester), G Chuter (Saracens), D Crompton (Richmond), M Cornwell, R Fidler (both Gloucester), B Clarke, A Vander (both Richmond), T Diprose (Saracens, capt). Replacements: J Ewens (Bedford), A King (Wasps), N Walshe (Harlequins), S Ojomoh (Gloucester), S Shaw (Wasps), T Woodman (Gloucester), M Regan (Bath).
FRANCE A: Sadourny; Bertrand, Lafforgue, Arlettaz, Arbo; Prosper, Galthie; Collazo, Dal Maso, De Bescombes, Cleda, Belot, Labit, Sonnes, Bennetton. Replacements: Farfart, Pomme, Bellot, Betsen, Miorin, Tolofua, Bru.
Referee: P Adams (Wales).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments