England cast off the shackles to deliver their best performance of the Guinness Six Nations but it was not enough to stop Thomas Ramos from landing a last-gasp penalty to ignite French title celebrations.
Tommy Freeman produced a brilliant finish with three minutes left of an exhilarating clash in Paris to propel England in front, but Ramos found the posts from long range in the final act of the Championship to clinch a 48-46 victory.
Steve Borthwick’s side were transformed from the side that collapsed to three consecutive defeats, running in seven tries as their attack finally fired with the outstanding Ollie Chessum crossing twice.
It was also the night their pack flexed their muscles for the first time in the tournament by submitting France up front, inspired by Chessum, the relentless Ben Earl and props Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes.
But they were hurt by their eighth yellow card of the tournament, shown to Genge and the exquisite finishing of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who touched down four times.
A gripping spectacle was only marred by the decision to allow France to play in light blue anniversary kit to mark 120 years of ‘Le Crunch’, resulting in a colour clash with England’s white jerseys.
Ireland’s pulsating victory over Scotland that launched ‘Super Saturday’ presented France with the target of winning in Paris to retain their crown – a prospect that was anything but assured after a breathless first-half.
It looked ominous for England when Bielle-Biarrey finished the first of his two tries after collecting Ramos’ kick after just six minutes, but unlike in previous rounds they responded to the adversity by showing their teeth.
Attacking down both touchlines, they quickly went over with Elliot Daly pulling the trigger for Tom Roebuck in a deserved try given the ambition of their play.
Source: rugbypass.com
