England vs France LIVE: Six Nations score and result as England fall to humiliating record loss at Twickenham
England 10-53 France: England were embarrassed as Les Bleus ran in seven tries to stun their hosts
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.England suffered their largest-ever home defeat as they were obliterated 53-10 by a rampant France in their Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
England were booed off by a half-empty Twickenham crowd at full-time, with many having left as things went from bad to worse across the 80 minutes as Les Bleus ran in seven tries.
The hosts offered minimal resistance as they were outworked, outmuscled and outclassed – with Thibaud Flament, Charles Ollivon and Damian Penaud all scoring two tries, while Thomas Ramos got another –in a humiliation.
The defeat far outstripped the heaviest previous home loss, a 42-6 reverse to South Africa at Twickenham back in 2008.
Relive England vs France in the Six Nations, below:
England 10-41 France, 62 minutes
This is unravelling quickly for England. All of their back replacements have been made, so when Ollie Lawrence is forced off, it is the slightly unlikely figure of Jack Walker pressed into duty.
A knock on grants us an opportunity to see how England set up...Alex Dombrandt is at outside centre and Jack Walker on the blindside, which is not a sentence I thought I’d be writing before kick off.
TRY! England 10-41 FRANCE (Charles Ollivon try, 60 minutes)
Smart from Charles Ollivon - the try is good!
France’s chasers arrived in a great blue wave after the kick ahead, driving England back towards their own line. The tackled player’s place rolled into the England in-goal, meaning the lifting of offside lines and permitting Ollivon to reach through the ruck and ground.
Thomas Ramos adds two more to his swelling collection of points.
TMO check - England 10-34 France, 60 minutes
Owen Farrell is warned about his rather aggressive intervention as the officials discuss the angles they’ve seen.
You know what, this might be given...
England 10-34 France, 60 minutes
Now France fancy a proper slaughtering. Thomas Ramos bursts away from his own 22 and has designs on going the length. A kick ahead is smothered by England - I think, at least, because Ben O’Keeffe wants to check a potential French score.
TRY! England 10-34 FRANCE (Thibaud Flament try, 57 minutes)
An audacious take from Thibaud Flament and the lock has his second!
For once Freddie Steward is unable to cover every inch of backfield grass, Antoine Dupont cannily findign the space with a blind chip over his shoulder. The bounce is unkind for the England full back, who is beaten by Romain Ntamack in the air.
Ntamack slaps back, with Flament somehow reaching back a long arm to reel it in like an expert angler and crash over. Thomas Ramos converts.
England 10-27 France, 55 minutes
The rain isn’t quite as heavy as it was in the first half but still the moisture hangs in the air, with a greasy ball and surface just forcing both sides to make sure they are secure of hand and foot. Freddie Steward certainly has been today, again covering shrewdly as France dribble a low kick in behind.
England 10-27 France, 54 minutes
Maro Itoje and Gregory Alldritt meet in a battle of might, like two rutting stags locking antlers as each tries to exert their strength on the other. It ends in stalemate, with Alldritt just about able to smuggle the ball back after a maul had been called, but Ben Curry winning a turnover at the resulting ruck.
England 10-27 France, 52 minutes
England miss touch but a France punt out means they will have a lineout on halfway anyway.
Ollie Lawrence, the other member of England’s midfield with Henry Slade off, is the decoy on an out-the-back play that doesn’t quite work. Jack Willis is then penalised for a neck roll.
That’s his last involvement: Ben Curry steps in to the England back row.
England 10-27 France, 51 minutes
How’s that for a greeting from the English eight? Falatea is stood up by Ellis Genge and Jamie George, who barks his approval as his head pops up with the blast of the referee’s whistle confirming a penalty England’s way.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments