By Lucky Maree
France have not beaten England at Twickenham for 18 years, but that record must surely be under threat as Les Bleus run out as firm favourites onto that holy piece of English turf.
Is Steve Borthwick confused about who should play flyhalf for England? This week he has Marcus Smith in the number 10 jersey and Owen Farrell on the bench. This after he announced earlier that Smith would be on the bench.
It is said that Smith’s selection is an indication that Borthwick is planning a faster game against France. Well, maybe. Perhaps Borthwick is rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic.
France could not have hoped for a better start. After just one minute fullback Thomas Ramos goes over for a converted try after England fumble the ball.
After a penalty France are ten points ahead. For the next 20 minutes England take on France at the territorial kicking game and that may be a mistake.
On 25 minutes the French highlight the English weakness in the forwards. The try through lock Thibaud Flament seems ever so easy.
France are leading by 17 points and England only manage to get three points after 33 minutes through a penalty by Smith but Ramos returns the compliment with a penalty for France.
At halftime the French loosies make England look stupid with a try by flank Charles Ollivon.
England seem to have found some motivation in the changeroom as they come out strongly after halftime. Their best scoring opportunity goes astray only because of a knock on but then Freddie Steward goes through for a commanding try. On 50 minutes England have ten precious points.
But the England locomotive seems to lose its steam when Thibaud Flament scores a try that could be the best try of the Six Nations – and it is followed a minute later when Charles Ollivon scores his second that once again makes the English forwards look very pedestrian.
It can’t get any worse can it? Yes, it can. Damian Penaud runs down the right wing and runs around to score under the posts. But wait. There’s more! Two minutes later Penaud does it again in a replay of the previous try.
Owen Farrell coming off the bench seemed to have a positive effect on the England team. Borthwick will have to get used to the idea that Farrell is a pivotal part of the England team from now until the World Cup.
How weak are the English forwards? Even the great Maro Itoje, England’s best asset, is considered to be a natural flank and not a lock and today it certainly looked like it. How strong are the French forwards? Compared to England, invincible. Against the Springboks? We’ll see.
England (1 try) 10-53 (7 tries) France.
Pictured above: France celebrating a try against England
Image source: Six Nations
