France v England LIVE: Result and reaction as Les Bleus edge thrilling Six Nations finale in Lyon
France 33-31 England: Thomas Ramos’s late penalty gave Les Bleus the win in a topsy-turvy thriller
England finished third in the Six Nations after a monster Thomas Ramos penalty in the final minute sent them spinning to a heartbreaking 33-31 defeat to France at Groupama Stadium.
Steve Borthwick’s men have trailed at half-time of every match of the championship and once more they faced an uphill battle, this time in the form of 16-6 deficit that included a try of the tournament contender for scrum half Nolann Le Garrec.
But they turned the contest on its head by amassing 21 unanswered points through two Ollie Lawrence tries and a Marcus Smith touch down as their attack ran amok through the France midfield. France regrouped to cross through Leo Barre and Gael Fickou but England were not done yet as Tommy Freeman stormed over in the right corner with five minutes remaining.
They appeared to have secured their fourth win of the Six Nations having staged multiple fightbacks but when they infringed just outside their half with seconds left, Ramos kept his nerve to hit the target.
Relive all the action below:
TRY! France 30-24 England (Gael Fickou, 61 mins)
Is it football? Is it rugby? Either way France have the lead again as Gael Fickou finishes it off.
England overthrow the lineout, ball bounces in midfield and France hack on. Penaud picks it up, men on his shoulder and offloads to Fickou for the run-in. Easy conversion and this game is ludicrous, in the best possible way!
France 23-24 England, 60 mins
What a game this has turned into. High-quality drama in Lyon. And now, for maybe the final time, Manu Tuilagi comes on for England - replacing Slade. Big boys in midfield!
He looks set to move to France at the end of the season and thus no longer be eligible for England selection
Manu Tuilagi responds to retirement speculation ahead of England clash with France
Tuilagi has held talks with Top 14 clubs Montpellier and Bayonne in a move that would make him unavailable for Test selection
TRY! France 23-24 England (Leo Barre, 57 mins)
And France have their try! Space to the right, Le Garrec runs into it and pops an overhand pass to Ollivon. Smith can’t get high enough in the tackle to stop him offloading to Barre, who runs it in with even more of an overlap if it was needed. Efficient attack.
Easy conversion for Ramos and France back within a point
France 16-24 England, 55 mins
Roots on for Chessum in the England back row but here come France. Powerful carry after powerful carry into the English defenders. Seb Taofifenua with a particularly big hit.
France 16-24 England, 54 mins
France given a penalty as Smith contacts Ramos in the air when he jumps for a ball but Ramos misses touch with the kick. Another slightly dicey performance by Ramos at 10 so far today, much like the Wales game last week.
By contrast, Ford has been superb running things for England.
France 16-24 England, 52 mins
All-new front row for England as Theo Dan, Joe Marler and Will Stuart enter the fray.
France absolute monster a lineout maul and march forward but when Mauvaka splinters off, Mitchell gets his hand in to knock the ball loose. Good defence. Alldritt then pinged for not supporting his bodyweight at a ruck and England clear.
France 16-24 England, 49 mins
Here’s what Harry Latham-Coyle has made of it in Lyon
England are transformed. They've re-emerged after the interval with purpose, poise and punch, qualities they lacked in the first half, and France are swimming here. On comes the tight-five bench ballast to try and right the ship.
France 16-24 England, 48 mins
What a start to this second half! Wow.
France make changes as both Taofifenua brothers, Sebastian and Romain, are on.
TRY! France 16-24 England (Marcus Smith, 46 mins)
Oh my word! This is superb rugby from England suddenly.
Genge lines up in midfield from a lineout, fed the ball and France assume he will carry but he tips it on to Earl who attacks Ramos’s defensive channel, bursts through and passes to the supporting Marcus Smith, who ducks inside Penaud and dives over the line. It’s pure class.
Ford adds the extras and suddenly France are eight points down!
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