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
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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 0-7 France, 5 minutes
This is worrying for England - France are rampant. Gregory Alldritt, below his best in this campaign but still some sight in the open field, squirms away from a tackle and is off at a canter, bashing into Freddie Steward. Antoine Dupont explores the blindside, perhaps foolishly, but England infringe.
The corner must be a temptation after such a hot start, but France will instead try to build through the boot.
England 0-7 France, 4 minutes
And that’s not how England would have liked to respond: Lewis Ludlam shouts his frustration after entering from the side with the ball exposed and a turnover seemingly eminently achievable. Penalty to France.
TRY! England 0-7 FRANCE (Thomas Ramos try, 2 minutes)
Magnifique!
Two minutes in and already France are over, and it quite majestic fashion. They play from deep, Charles Ollivon standing tall in the tackle of Ollie Lawrence and teeing up Thibaud Flament. Flament’s long limbs are equally skillfully employed, sending the livewire Ethan Dumortier off in electric blue down the left.
Dumortier’s speed creates a simple two-on-one, Thomas Ramos haring after his back three partner to take the pass and scuttle over. Ramos converts tidily - an ominous start from the visitors.
England 0-0 France, 1 minute
Two carries and France go to their long kicking game, Romain Ntamack thumping up field.
Freddie Steward charges back, but the ball spills free aftter he is tackled. Gael Fickou scoops it up and France can attack.
Howls from the away fans as an apparent overlap is eschewed. Antoine Dupont goes himself soon after, looking for a back-door offload, but finding only Steward covering.
KICK OFF!
Ben O’Keeffe blows his whistle - England vs France is underway!
England vs France
Marcus Smith will kick things off on the biggest day of his England career so far. France assemble, ready for receipt of the opening skyward hoist.
England vs France - Match Officials
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
ARs: Jaco Peyper (SARU) & Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Anthems
Both sides are in matching white anthem jackets, standing proudly as the first notes of “La Marseillaise” sound. Twickenham is full to the brim, the travelling support tunefully making themselves heard.
“God Save the Queen” follows after - it is Crunch time.
Out they come
Ellis Genge leads England out of the tunnel for the first time as captain, bristling as ever with energy, anger, focus and fire as he strides out after eyeing up the French squad to his right. Antoine Dupont alongside him looks up for it, too, club colleagues Cyril Baille and Julien Marchand right behind him.
England vs France
France looked very confident yesterday as they went about their work in an extensive final training session on the Twickenham pitch. This is the one unconquered territory for this brilliant young side in their development under Fabien Galthie - and this feels as good a chance as ever for them to end their Twickenham woe.
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