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.