Big dramatic finishes are fast becoming the norm for England, but the irony of this week was that the Red Rose men fell exactly on the wrong side of the high theatre.
Tommy Freeman’s gunfire celebration and George Ford’s nerveless touchline conversion gave England a 31-29 lead with less than five minutes to play in Lyon.
Steve Borthwick’s side thought they were on the verge of repeating last week’s 23-22 win over Ireland, and on the road.
But Thomas Ramos and his siege gunmen had other ideas. The French fly-half shot his fourth penalty, from a distance of no less than 50 meters, and Les Blues moved over the line, 33-31.
England defeated France by four tries to three, but both teams played with ambition and attacking abandon. Defensive stability was in short supply, but the gamblers loved it. England loved it too and almost pulled off another surprise victory.
The champagne unfortunately goes to the men in the Cotes Du Rhone, but hats off to Fabien Galthie for dragging France through a test tournament.
Also a tip of the hat to England boss Borthwick for steering England to three wins from five in a Six Nations campaign for the first time since 2020.
Tangible progress and, defensive shortcomings aside, a team with substance, sharpness and real promise.
Ollie Lawrence scored twice, Marcus Smith also crossed as England struck three times in just six minutes. Freeman’s attempt and Ford’s 100 percent kick return almost got them home and hosed.
Instead, Nolann Le Garrec, Leo Barre and Gael Fickou saw their efforts boosted by Ramos’ wonder boot for France to take glory.
Lyon’s stadium played host to a dramatic sound and light show before kick-off, and the hosts picked up that razzmatazz energy from the start.
England lost full-back George Furbank to a suspected calf injury in the opening substitution, forcing Smith into action almost immediately at the age of 15.
The home crowd showed their intent by booing Ford for making a point, anything. Ford placed a penalty to give England the initial lead, but it did not last long.
Smith was caught pushing the envelope halfway, Julien Marchand won a smart jackal penalty and Ramos booted over.
England were about to settle down when France stole a lineout on their own and promptly scored from the same phase.
Fickou burst through a gaping hole in the English defense, who could not switch the attack quickly enough.
Three passes later, scrum half Le Garrec was under the posts. Ramos’ conversion put France 10–3 ahead at the end of the first quarter.
England were again sent from France’s 22 to their own try line in a flash, as Lawrence lost the ball on contact and Damian Penaud booted deep. Smith had to sweep the ball down, taking it over his own line.
That eventually led to Ramos’ second penalty, and the home leg added a third goal from the tee, taking Les Bleus’ lead to 16-3.
However, just as England looked on the ropes, the visitors gained a foothold through a series of lineouts deep in French territory.
The end result was a well-constructed but simple score for Lawrence, who found himself onto a weak defensive shoulder from Fickou and slotted home from Henry Slade’s pass.
Ford’s lurking presence behind the attacking line got France thinking, and the hesitation was just enough for Lawrence to pounce. Ford’s conversion put France 16–10 ahead at half-time, and England back in the match.
The English team discussion during half-time did wonders. Freeman set up the wing, Ben Earl burst through the middle and the Lawrence command crawled home for its second try.
Ford’s conversion gave England a 17–16 lead, the first time they had held the lead since the opening minutes of the match.
Then, in no time, England scored again. Earl’s final rush, freed by Ellis Genge’s astute pass, sent the Red Rose men on the rampage again.
Earl was able to find Smith in support, and the Quins man got out of one challenge and then stiff-armed his way through another for a high-quality try.
Ford converted for England to lead 24-16, and France were in real disarray when Ramos missed touch with a penalty.
The crowd launched into a rendition of Le Marseillaise in a desperate attempt to get their heroes to respond.
And just as quickly as England had struck the double in the first half, France followed suit and ended the third quarter back in the lead.
Full-back Barre galloped in as England simply ran out of defenders after brutal waves of French raiders.
Ramos converted to leave England with a point lead, but that was gone as Fickou raced under the posts.
England actually led for only 18 minutes. Theo Dan’s overturned lineout sailed into midfield, where Ramos instinctively cut through.
The football assist came neatly for the onrushing Fickou, who finished without any problems. Ramos’ conversion put France ahead 30-24 on the hour mark.
Ramos had a chance to extend France’s lead from a penalty after Freeman’s deliberate knock-on but dragged his effort wide in the first miss of the day from either side.
Substitute Alex Dombrandt then produced a masterful jackal turnover, and England struck again. Ford kicked the penalty into the corner and England made the calculated gamble count.
The Sale fly-half’s sweet tip-on pass created time and space, and Freeman burst into the corner.
Ford then shook off any nerves to score the touchline conversion to put England ahead 31-30 with just five minutes to play.
Breathless enough for you? Not at all. France had the last word and laughed as Ramos rose for a penalty shot from halfway and scored the ball with a few meters to spare.
England restarted and tried to steal the ball, but France tapped out in the final minute to seal a thrilling victory in a great atmosphere.