France v England LIVE: Result and reaction as Les Bleus edge thrilling Six Nations finale in Lyon
France 33-31 England: Thomas Ramos’s late penalty gave Les Bleus the win in a topsy-turvy thriller
England finished third in the Six Nations after a monster Thomas Ramos penalty in the final minute sent them spinning to a heartbreaking 33-31 defeat to France at Groupama Stadium.
Steve Borthwick’s men have trailed at half-time of every match of the championship and once more they faced an uphill battle, this time in the form of 16-6 deficit that included a try of the tournament contender for scrum half Nolann Le Garrec.
But they turned the contest on its head by amassing 21 unanswered points through two Ollie Lawrence tries and a Marcus Smith touch down as their attack ran amok through the France midfield. France regrouped to cross through Leo Barre and Gael Fickou but England were not done yet as Tommy Freeman stormed over in the right corner with five minutes remaining.
They appeared to have secured their fourth win of the Six Nations having staged multiple fightbacks but when they infringed just outside their half with seconds left, Ramos kept his nerve to hit the target.
Relive all the action below:
France 30-31 England, 77 mins
France play from around halfway. Colombe almost drops but hangs on to the ball. Just a penalty or drop goal needed to win it... And England pinged for a no-arms tackle. A long-range penalty if they need it.
TRY! France 30-31 England (Tommy Freeman, 75 mins)
And England have a try! Great work.
Care fizzes a pass to the right, Ford tips it on to Smith who finds the perfect moment to pass on to Tommy Freeman and he dives over in the corner.
Tough conversion from near the touchline and George Ford nails it! Superb kick, stays jsut inside the left post and England lead into the final four minutes.
France 30-24 England, 74 mins
France defend the maul so Care pops to Tuilagi to take into contact. Good carry by Itoje and England five metres out.
France 30-24 England, 73 mins
England struggling to get out of their own half at the minute. Ford feels like there’s not enough energy from his team and is geeing them up.
Smith pumps a long kick just over the halfway line into touch and off the lineout, Dombrandt chop tackles and jackals the ball to win a turnover. Top work! Finally a platform for England, about 12 metres out.
MISSED PENALTY! France 30-24 England (Thomas Ramos, 71 mins)
Penalty towards the right and this time, Thomas Ramos skews it wide of the right upright. England still just about in this game, although Les Bleus in control.
France 30-24 England, 70 mins
Great link-up between Lucu, Penaud and Barre sending the latter into the 22. Daly goes for an intercept but only with one hand, so knocks on and it’s a France penalty. Ramos will go for the posts to take this lead beyond a score.
Danny Care on for cap 101 in place of Alex Mitchell.
France 30-24 England, 70 mins
France maul effectively again from a lineout in their own half and Stuart then pinged for bringing it down. Ramos boots into the 22 and France can kill the game off here...
France 30-24 England, 68 mins
Gorgeous offload off the floor from Fickou to Moefana. But Ramos again too long with kick and it’s easy for Ford.
France 30-24 England, 67 mins
France are coming forward again as they build off a lineout just outside the 22. Mistake though as Alldritt knocks on in contact and England have a chance to breathe. They’re still within one score.
Maxime Lucu on at scrum half for Le Garrec, while England bring on Alex DOmbrandt for Sam Underhill. Earl goes to 7 and Dombrandt at 8
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