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:
France v England
A slightly clunky rendition of God Save The King but La Marseillaise superb as ever. Kick-off imminent
France v England
It feels fervent in Lyon as the players walk out on to the pitch - the final stop in Les Bleus’ road-trip around France. Defeat in Marseille, disappointing draw in Lille, what will a third city offer?
Anthems coming shortly
Steve Borthwick demands intensity from his England team
Steve Borthwick has been speaking to ITV ahead of this evening’s clash to give his thoughts on how England can win
France v England
And the French supporters make themselves known, booing and whistling the England players off the pitch. It’s bubbling away rather nicely with kick off just 15 minutes away.
France v England
There’s a healthy number of French fans already in their seats, engaging in a bit of pre-match repartee with the stadium announce team, chanting along to the chansons. France haven’t quite enlivened the crowd in their first two home games in this tournament - indeed, including the World Cup quarter-final defeat, it is three on the spin without a win on home soil. Will that change tonight?
France v England
Both sides are out on the carpet-like Groupama Stadium surface, England’s forwards engaging in a few final scrums under the guidance of scrum coach Tom Harrison and head coach Steve Borthwick. Lots of kicking in the visitors’ warm-up, too - you wonder if they might go back towards a kick pressure strategy more tonight after largely shunning the boot during the win over Ireland.
France v England match officials
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
France v England referee: Who is Six Nations official Angus Gardner?
The Australian will take charge of the round five clash
Permutations
So with Ireland (just about) taking care of business in Dublin, it makes this encounter a shootout for second place, the winner going above Scotland on the end of championship ladder. They could both climb above Gregor Townsend’s side - England start tied on 12 competition points and need only a single bonus point to be certain of finishing above their Calcutta Cup rivals, while France will also be fine with a losing bonus point or more. A hugely positive tournament for Italy still leaves them fifth, above only wooden spooners Wales.
France v England talking points
England and France clash in the climax to the 2024 Guinness Six Nations in Lyon on Saturday night, by which time it will already be known if anything is at stake on the match.
Here the PA news agency examines five talking points as England aim to snatch the title from Ireland’s grasp.
Key talking points as England conclude Six Nations campaign against France
England’s title hopes rest on Ireland losing to Scotland earlier in the day.
Steve Borthwick ‘hopeful’ that Manu Tuilagi stays in England ahead of possible farewell
Steve Borthwick is “hopeful” that Manu Tuilagi may yet stay in England and continue his international career ahead of what could be a Test farewell for the centre.
Tuilagi, who will feature off the bench against France in Lyon, has been strongly linked with a move abroad throughout his career and is again the subject of interest from France, with Bayonne and Montpellier among his suitors.
The 32-year-old appears set to leave Sale Sharks, who would struggle to retain him within the Premiership’s salary cap.
Steve Borthwick ‘hopeful’ Manu Tuilagi stays in England ahead of potential farewell
Tuilagi will feature off the bench in what could be his final appearance in an England shirt
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