Jonny May hat-trick sends England top of the Six Nations in style
Re-live the action from the Six Nations clash at Twickenham
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.Re-live all the action as England routed France 44-8 on Sunday afternoon in a one-sided 'Le Crunch' and go top of the Six Nations table with a maximum 10 points from 10..
Jonny May set the tone with a 30-minute hat-trick of tries that got England flying out of the blocks, with Henry Slade sealing the bonus point before the break. France responded at least with a Damian Penaud try before half-time, but they were kept pointless in the second half in one of their most embarrassing displays seen at Twickenham.
At least their defence improved after the break, though they could not stop the scoring as England were first awarded a penaty try before Owen Farrell crossed to complete the scoring. Follow the live updates below.
What time does it start?
England vs France kicks off at 3pm (GMT) on Sunday February 10.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on ITV from 2.15pm (GMT).
Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May; Owen Farrell (capt), Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Courtney Lawes, George Kruis; Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dan Cole, Ben Moon, Joe Launchbury, Nathan Hughes, Dan Robson, George Ford, Jack Nowell
France: Yoann Huget; Damian Penaud, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Mathieu Bastareaud, Gael Fickou; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado, Demba Bamba; Felix Lambey, Sebastien Vahaamahina; Yacouba Camara, Arthur Iturria, Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Dany Priso, Dorian Aldegheri, Paul Willemse, Gregory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos
Form guide
England: WWLWWW
France: LLLWLL
Head-to-head
France 22 (Pen try) England 16 (May), Six Nations, March 2018
England 19 (Te’o) France 16 (Slimani), Six Nations, February 2017
France 21 England 31 (Care, Cole, Watson), Six Nations, March 2016
Odds
England to win: 1/8
France to win: 11/2
Draw: 33/1
(Odds provided by Betfair)
Prediction
England by seven: France will not be blown away as easily as many have suggested, but it’s hard to see where Brunel’s side will dominate at a stadium where they have not beaten England since 2005. If England can produce a similar performance to that in Dublin last weekend, they will romp to victory. But if they falter, France will be there to pick up the pieces.
62 mins: Perhaps the biggest roar of the day goes up when England demolish the French scrum, with replacements Moon, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Dan Cole making an immediate impact. England kick just into the French half but subsequently lose the lineout.
And still Dan Robson waits for his debut...
68 mins: A lovely move from France gets them on the front foot. Lambey goes into contact, offloads to Iturria who in turn finds Guirado and he gallops into the English 22. But it all comes to nothing when the ball is knocked forwards as Lambey tries to go into contact again and that, sadly, sums up France's day.
70 mins: Finally Dan Robson comes on to make his England debut as he replaces Youngs, while Nigel Owens is having a word with Iturria after he mock-applauded Cowan-Dickie when he was hit hard by Picamoles and knocked on. At 44-8 down, that's pretty embarrassing.
73 mins: It's taken 73 minutes for Bastareaud to do something of note in this match, but he finally makes an impact as he runs through Cole and Nowell before offloading to Fickou. He tries to find Ntamack inside him, but the ball is knocked forwards and th emove is stopped in its tracks. There's a long stoppage as Jefferson Poirot is down and needs to change his boots.
Nigel Owens spots the prop is sporting the rainbow laces. "I like your laces," says the referee. A classy moment.
75 mins: Two debutants go to war, one emerges triumphant. Robson chases Nowell's kick and the pair trap Ramos deep in his 22. Robson gets back to his feet just as Cirry gets over the ball and win sthe penalty and a huge cheer goes up as England go to the corner. An even bigger cheer is made when Robson's face appears on the nig screen, but the ball is dropped in the subsequent maul and the chance goes.
78 mins: Lawes pinches the lineout and England want to finish with a flourish here. They've got two minutes to do it, but when Ford spots a gap and offloads to Hughes, the subsequent pass is dropped by Cole.
79 mins: INstead its France who fancy a try! They break from the scrum and Dupont hacks up-field after running all of 40 metres, having broken the tackle of Robson. However, Ford beats Ramos to the ball to shepherd it over the line and touch down for a 22 drop-out.
80 mins: Robson takes the ball from the scrum and Ford boots it into touch!
England beat France 44-8 to go top of the Six Nations table!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments