England player ratings vs France as Steve Borthwick's men ended their 2024 Six Nations campaign against the French in Lyon
RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content
France clinched a nail-biting victory over England in a pulsating encounter in Lyon, securing second place in the 2024 Six Nations standings as Thomas Ramos delivered a decisive blow with a winning penalty from the halfway line.
Taking the lead with a commanding 16-3 advantage on home turf, the hosts appeared to be in control before England rallied, with Ollie Lawrence notching crucial tries on either side of the interval to tilt the scales in England's favor.
Despite England's surge, Marcus Smith extending their lead, France responded fiercely, with Leo Barre and Gael Fickou narrowing the deficit as momentum swung in their favor once more.
In a dramatic turn of events, Tommy Freeman's late try seemed to secure the win for England, as George Ford's conversion nudged them ahead. However, Ramos had the final word, clinching victory with a nerveless kick from the halfway line, sealing a thrilling seven-try spectacle in France's favour.
Scroll down for England player ratings vs France.
The Scorers:
FRANCE: 33
- Tries: Nolann Le Garrec (19'), Leo Barre (55'), Gael Fickou (59')
- Cons: Thomas Ramos (20', 56', 61')
- Pens: Thomas Ramos (17', 31', 35',78')
ENGLAND: 31
- Tries: Ollie Lawrence (40', 41'), Marcus Smith(45'), Tommy Freeman(74')
- Cons: George Ford (40', 42', 47', 75'
- Pens: George Ford (11')
RUCK's Player Of The Match:
England Player Stats:
Carries: Ben Earl - 11
Metres: Tommy Freeman - 72
Defenders beaten: Ben Earl - 4
Tackles: Ben Earl - 19
Tackles missed: Sam Underhill - 5
Turnovers won: Maro Itoje - 1
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England player ratings vs France:
15. George Furbank - 5
Unfortunate to depart as early as he did, as he injured his calf muscle and departed after seven minutes. (Off for Marcus Smith, 7).
14. Tommy Freeman - 7
Too high off the line with the early blitz defence, as Gael Fickou sends the ball through his legs to Freeman’s surprise. Brilliant early runs, as he searches up to the French gain-line. Almost handed Alex Mitchell and assist, but his 48th minute offload didn’t go to hands. Thought that he was away with a break at 69 minutes, but the assistant referee called the play back for a deliberate knock on. Great finish in the corner, as he silenced Lyon with his 74th minute try.
13. Henry Slade - 6.5
Strong searching run at eight minutes, as he broke the gain-line and asked questions of Cyril Baille. Sent a silky pass to Ollie Lawrence, as England crossed over just before the half-time break, a strong assist on the 40th minute. Withdrawn for the returning Manu Tuilagi, as England fought power with power. (Off 60- Tuilagi)
12. Ollie Lawrence - 8
Good tackling from the off as France look to hit up the centre channels. Thumping collision with Damian Penaud, as the two collide after five minutes. Ran a brilliant line to score on the stroke of half-time, and breathe life into England’s game. Started the second half on fire, as he powered over from close range to score once again.
11. Elliot Daly - 6.5
Back in to the starting line-up as Manny Feyi-Waboso is out with a concussion. Claimed the high balls confidently, but swamped when trying to stretch his legs. Returned the favour with good kick chase and well timed tackles on the receivers. Vocal on the touchlines, as the assistant referee handed a line-out to France.
10. George Ford - 7.5
Not afraid to calm things down, and called for the first mark of the match with the play at an immense rate. Slotted the opening points of the match, and did well to bring down a full-pace Charles Ollivon, as he grounded the flanker at 30 minutes. Demanded more from his team, as France began to take control after the hour mark. Quick hands to Smith, to set up Freeman’s late try, before nailing the conversion from the corner.
9. Alex Mitchell - 7
Good start from the boot with solid clearance kicks. Received medical attention with a wrist issue, but soldiered on in the early goings. Narrowly missed out on a try in support of Tommy Freeman’s miss-placed off-load, and gave a solid showing when sending box kicks into orbit. (Off 69 Danny Care).
1. Ellis Genge - 7
Five stone lighter than the French tight-head Uini Antonio, but held his own in the early scrum. Won a penalty against the 24 stone titan at 10 minutes, for George Ford to have a crack at the posts. Felt the affects of a 33 minute tackle on Antonio, as he buckled under the big man but brought him down. (Off 50 - Joe Marler)
2. Jamie George - 6.5
Solid start at the set-piece, as he held his own against the near tonne of French mass that bore down on him. Good line-out throws, comfortably hit the front middle and back. (Off 50 - Theo Dan)
3. Dan Cole - 6.5
Making the hard yards in attack, as he offered an option off the shoulder for the carriers. Strong early scrums against the far heavier pack, won a free kick at 13 minutes, as he goaded his opponent to go early. (Off 50 - Will Stuart)
4. Maro Itoje - 7
A little bit too late and in at the side when joining a defensive maul, in what hands France a penalty at seven minutes. Received a bit of medical treatment after 25 minutes, as the exhaustive first half took it’s toll. Sent to the deck at 36 minutes, as he is bounced in his tackle attempt.
5. George Martin - 7
Enjoyed the newly employed blitz defence once more,as he flew out of the line and make solid hits. Ditched the head guard in the early stages. Loses the line-out that hands France possession, for the opening try of the match. So entertaining to watch, as he charges around the pitch making hit after hit.
6. Ollie Chessum - 7.5
Ushered into make a series of tackles from the off, as France flung the ball to their heavies from the get go. Made a monstrous hit on Alldritt, sending an ‘oomph’ around Lyon. Adapted well to blindside flanker once again, in what is a new role for the Leicester man. Received some treatment at 51 minutes, as he struggled through injury.
7. Sam Underhill - 7
Couldn’t get out of the way quickly enough, as a breakdown obstruction handed Thomas Ramos a shot at goal for a 3-3 equaliser. Did well to fly up off the flank for hits on Alldritt at the beach of the scrum. Massive clear out at 29 minutes, as he sent his opponent flying at the ruck. Made a tackle whilst on the floor at 30 minutes, which gifted France a penalty. Couldn’t close down Ramos fast enough, as he slid into the tackle with the fullback volleying the ball into the back-field for the 60th minute try. (Off for Dombrandt - 66).
8. Ben Earl - 8
This man only knows one gear and it is as fast as possible. Relentless around the park with tackles and carries that battered on Les Bleus. Great carry from the back of the scrum at 29 minutes, as he alleviated pressure. Great searching runs, as he made key yards in the run up to Lawrence’s second try, and for Marcus Smith’s impressive score. Shifted over to the flank when Dombrandt is introduced.
Replacements
16. Theo Dan - 6
Once again given an extended run in the side, and not there to simply make up the numbers for the captain. Made some good tackles in the loose, with good pace for a front rower.
17. Joe Marler - 7
Immediately tasked to halt a rolling maul, and play peacekeeper when Marcus Smith clashed with Thomas Ramos. Nailed in the ruck at 58 minutes, and gave some appreciatory taps on the head to the French heavy hitter. Great tackles after he called for a ‘Big D Set’ as England geared up for defence late on.
18. Will Stuart - 6
A strong showing from the replacement tight-head, who did his best to lift the tempo at the set-piece and around the carry. Pinged by the assistant referee at 68 minutes, for illegal action in the maul.
19. Ethan Roots - 6
Came off the bench like a cannonball, as he was immediately involved with carries and tackles. Back in the squad after falling out of recent favour, and battled hard with Cunningham-South out of the fold.
20. Alex Dombrandt - 6
Shifted around the back-row with his introduction, as Earl moved across from number eight to flanker. Great turnover at the ruck, as he stole the ball for a 72nd minute penalty.
21. Danny Care - 6
His future hangs in the balance, with discussion around his test match retirement after the Six Nations. Made his 101st cap off the bench, and ignited the move that ended up with Freeman’s try in the corner.
22. Marcus Smith - 7.5
On at fullback as George Furbank after seven minutes, as the Saints man injured his calf muscle in the early goings. Strong takes under the high ball in his return to the back-three. Sold the dummy by Thomas Ramos, in the run up to the opening French try. Had to put on the afterburners to beat Bielle-Biarry to the ball after Penaud’s kick. Great effort on the 37th minute kick chase, to tackle Ramos into touch. Great effort to step passed Penaud and Ramos, for a stunning try. Great pop pass to Freeman to set up the late try.
23. Manu Tuilagi - 6
In for his first match of the competition, and could well be his last match in England shirt. On for his 60th cap at 60 minutes.
5 THINGS WE LEARNED: FRANCE 33-31 ENGLAND
1. FANTASTIC MATCH IS DECIDED IN DISAPPOINTING FASHION
After 79 and a half minutes of phenomenal Six Nations action, the match was poised on a knife-edge for the last few phases of play. France had possession, and were keeping the ball in close quarters to find a way through to the try-line. However, what looked like a genuine tackle from England back-row Ben Earl proved to be costly, as the referee deemed the hit to have involved no arms.
Earl was subsequently penalised for the illegal tackle, and Thomas Ramos was more than happy to line up a shot at goal for a dramatic victory. The France fullback made no mistake from the tee, and sent the ball sailing through the uprights to the delight of the fans in Lyon. England fans and pundits were unified in their attitude on Earl's penalty, with Ugo Monye and Jonny Wilkinson amongst those who believed the offence was 'soft' and 'harsh'.
2. ENGLAND PROVE ONCE AGAIN THAT THEY BELONG AMONGST THE TOP TEAMS
After racking up their unforgettable win over Ireland, the pressure was on England to repeat the feat, for their final match of the 2024 Six Nations. Steve Borthwick's men were not entering Lyon as underdogs, but more on the same level as Les Bleus. England traded blow for blow with France, and proved that the win at Twickenham was no fluke in this new era of positive attack and blitzing defence.
Steve Borthwick, Felix Jones and Richard Wigglesworth look to have orchestrated a solid formula for their England team, who were devastated to lose in the final play of the match. England left it all on the line against France, with three tries in six minutes completing a comeback early in the second half. The likes of Ollie Lawrence, Marcus Smith and Tommy Freeman crossed over for England, who will be looking to take this impressive team performance down to New Zealand in the Summer.
3. BIDDING A POTENTIAL FAREWELL TO TWO ENGLAND LEGENDS
Danny Care of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Though nothing has been confirmed just yet, there has been plenty of speculation on the test match futures of Danny Care and Manu Tuilagi. Both men could well have run out for the final time in an England shirt tonight, with Care making his 101st appearence, and Tuilagi achieving his 60th cap for the country.
Beginning with Care, the Harlequin has stated how he does not know what the future holds with England after the 2024 Six Nations. Care has previously said how the trip to Scotland's Murrayfield was his last run out in the Edinburgh cauldron, hinting at how he won't be amongst the squad for their 2026 trip North of the border. With Tuilagi, the Sale man made his first appearence of the 2024 Six Nations in the closing match of the tournament.
Manu Tuilagi will likely leave Sale Sharks this summer
There is plenty of speculation that Tuilagi will be leaving Sale at the end of the season, and a move outside of the Premiership would see the Samoan-born centre rule himself out of any future contention for England. The Sharks man has been most prominently linked to a move to France, to follow the likes of Owen Farrell over to the Top 14 next season.
4. ETHAN ROOTS IMPRESSES AFTER BEING DROPPED BY BORTHWICK
Ethan Roots of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Steve Borthwick named a relatively unchanged side for the trip to France, with the exception of Elliot Daly coming in for the concussed Manny Feyi-Waboso. On the bench we saw the return of Ethan Roots, who was dropped from the fourth round win against Ireland. The Exeter man returned after an injury to Chandler Cunningham-South, as the Harlequin was sidelined for the fixture in Lyon.
Roots ran on for Ollie Chessum, who picked up an injury on the blindside flank. Roots exploded into the fold at 55 minutes, and was relentless in his mission to prove a point to Borthwick and the England coaching staff. The Chiefs man is originally from New Zealand, and could well return to his hometown of Auckland on England's Summer tour. Roots certainly impressed upon his return, as he hit the highs first seen in his Player of the Match awarded debut out in Rome.
5. MARCUS SMITH SHINES UPON HIS RETURN TO FULLBACK
A seventh minute calf injury to George Furbank laid the foundations for an unexpected scenario, as Marcus Smith made his return to the England back-three. The Harlequin was frequently seen in the fullback spot throughout the Rugby World Cup, where he battled against Freddie Steward to take hold of the 15 jersey. Smith had since returned to the fly half ranks, following the England step-down of Owen Farrell, and subsequent injury to Northampton halfback Fin Smith.
Marcus stole the show from fly half against Ireland, as his match winning drop goal sent Twickenham into a frenzy seven days ago. He hit similar highs in his run out back at fullback, as he contributed an excellent try in which he weaved his way through Damien Penaud and Thomas Ramos' tackle attempts. Smith also added an assist to his overall performance, as he played in Freeman for what England fans thought at the time, was going to be the match winning try.
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