in Lyon
Gutted England skipper Jamie George suffered a case of déjà vu as his facet have been downed 33-31 by a late penalty in France – once more.
George had flashbacks of the final time England have been concerned in a match throughout the Channel when their World Cup hopes went up in smoke within the semi-final towards South Africa because of Handre Pollard’s late winner.
However George was justifiably happy with his facet who went toe-to-toe with the French earlier than being denied on the demise.
England have been already out of the title hunt after Eire’s 17-13 win over Scotland in Dublin and their goals of a fourth win within the Six Nations have been dashed by Thomas Ramos’s late penalty.
Steve Borthwick’s males completed up with three wins, their greatest return since their title-winning season in 2020, but it surely might have been so a lot better.
George mentioned: “Devastated. It was paying homage to the loss towards South Africa final time we have been in France. France confirmed their class however we fought our approach again, this a group that’s on an upward curve.”
England and France have been combating over second place in Lyon whereas Eire lifted the trophy earlier within the afternoon.
Eire prop Andrew Porter’s strive, on 65 minutes, appeared to seal the deal for Andy Farrell’s males in Dublin however they got a late scare when Scotland’s Huw Jones scored below the sticks.
Eire held on for victory and a second title on the spin, after final yr’s Grand Slam, and head to South Africa in the summertime for a heavyweight contest with the world champions.
Head coach Farrell mentioned: “We’re delighted, to win back-to-back Six Nations, that’s a pleasant feeling. It goes down in historical past for Irish rugby.”
Warren Gatland supplied his resignation after his Wales facet had been crushed 24-21 by Italy in Cardiff, a consequence which condemned them to the wood spoon for the primary time since 2003. The pinnacle coach instantly had that knocked again by WRU chief govt Abi Tierney regardless of a dismal 5 defeats out of 5.
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England’s third-place end will really feel like a kick within the guts after Borthwick’s Lions roared in Lyon and laid all of it on the road with a four-try efficiency.
Tommy Freeman’s strive with 4 minutes remaining, transformed from the touchline by George Ford, had given England the lead earlier than Ramos delivered the killer blow.
Ben Earl put in one other supercharged efficiency and it was a heartbreaker for the Saracens flanker that it was his no-arms problem that gave Ramos his shot.
George added: “After we play we glance a harmful group, however when [France] play they present their class, and truthful play to Ramos for knocking that over. It wasn’t excellent on the market, however our efficiency and endeavour I really like and it’s been a fantastic seven weeks for me.”
Borthwick added: “I’m actually dissatisfied for the gamers. They labored so exhausting and I actually wished a win for the participant who’ve labored actually exhausting to enhance.
“Generally it’s important to simply keep within the battle and we did that, however generally you run out of time somewhat than lose. I’ll overview the event correctly and take a while to try this, however primarily I’m actually happy with the gamers.”
England’s new attacking model, showcased within the win over Eire final weekend, introduced them the four-try bonus level and ripped the French defence aside at some factors.
France defence coach Shaun Edwards mentioned: “Our assault was nice however I used to be very dissatisfied with the defence. You shouldn’t have to attain 30 factors to win a Check match.
“Our midfield was the place the issue was and we have been lacking tackles. We have to kind that out – it was the worst defensive show since I arrived in France.”
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