England have defeated France in their Round 2 Six Nations clash, 44 points to 8 at Twickenham.
It started fast: England box kicked to clear to begin the half, and France knocked on a few phases in, leading to a Elliot Daly linebreak before he toed through for Jonny May to score within two minutes.
Owen Farrell missed the conversion, but a penalty five minutes later gave the English an opportunity to kick out by more than a converted try.
The two sides traded box kicks, before a knock on gave France a chance for some phase play with an eventual penalty putting them within five, at 8-3.
After Morgan Parra box kicked, a penalty for interference saw Farrell once again increasing England’s buffer, 11-3 from 39 metres.
After the game’s second scrum, England camped France in their own 22, and when the box kick gained them no real ground, England quickly found May who shrugged off a tackle to score.
Playing at speed was the story of the half, and when England took a lineout quickly they broke through to begin a set of phases right on the France line.
After regaining a bomb, they lobbed through once more, finding May again who dotted down for a 23-3 lead.
With less than five remaining in the half, France needed something to go their way, so Yoann Huget made a line-break before finding Damian Penaud who dived over, for 23-8.
A late try to England was not what the French needed, but after a turnover and another protruding kick, England dotted down to end the half, 30-8.
The second half lacked much of the spark of the first, but an intercept to Slade led to a penalty try, as Gael Fickou tackled Chris Ashton without the ball, prompting referee Owens to award a penalty try and send the French winger to the bin.
With 25 minutes left, Farrell tried another overhead kick – the same tactic which worked well all game for them – and the TMO ruled that there was no England knock on in the lead-up, for an Owen Farrell try.
Antoine Dupont came on for France, and brightened things up somewhat for them, but overall it was a dismal day for the visitors, and going scoreless in the second half didn’t help.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
It's a cliche, but it's been a cliche for so long because it's true, that you never know which France side will turn up. The France from the 1st half against Wales, or the France from the 2nd half against Wales and all the match against England. The French side does suffer from too many foreign players in the Top 14 such that they started with a prop from D2 - great young player, but not used to the level of competition. But I'd never write off a French side, particulary one which has been written off by the press ahead of a big game! Wales have been subdued - shocked by the French in the first half of the first match, and much changed against Italy. Difficult to truely work out where they are, and as Neil says, wait until they face England in Cardiff with the chance of an upset on their hands. If England win in Cardiff, and then dispatch Italy at Twickenham, they face a Gland Slam match against Scotland, again at Twickenham. I suspect that's a match the Scots will raise their game for! Few easy matches in the 6 Nations.
Bluesfan
Would like to see England play a full strength SA side - as probably physically they are the only side in the world who could match them physically. Vunipolla vs Vermeulen/Peter Steph De Toit etc would be titantic. Might have a point about Wales - but they were very poor against Italy and could have easily lost vs France - as France gifted them 2 tries. And France are just dire.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I think there are a few on here who underrated England (maybe still do) and I think that's largely because they didn't/don't understand the match day squad Jones could pick and the players he'd have to leave out. He hasn't for some time, either through an extensive injury list, much of that long term, or because he's been either too conservative or too blind to some obvious talent (and maybe still is). The recent tour to SA being a classic case in point. I'd hang on to your assessment of Wales until they line up England in Cardiff. We'll see if both Gatland and his players are the real deal there.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Fair summary, apart from your opening. There are a few serious things I could be critical of Eddie for.
Bluesfan
Have to give it to England - didn't rate them - but the last 2 performances are mighty impressive and if they can retain that level of game and bring it to the WC, they could easily go all the way. Sad thing or takeaway thus far from 6 Nations - 2 Nations outstanding, obviously Ireland and England - but have thought France and Italy have being dire and Wales being pretty average - but doing enough to win against 2 really poor teams. France should really hang their heads in shame at how they have let their national team fall so far - a team with their history and playing numbers should be one of the better teams in the world.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Come on give england some credit. Anyway its oz they should be thanking. :-) If by some miracle England can retain the energy and personnel from the last seven days through to the Business end in japan theyll be finalists at least with the current side. If we all hyper jumped and played it now, England would probably win. A good forward back balance, dominant when they need to be, goal kicking covered off, and enough x factor to cause some unorthodox damage. Injury, injury, injury, fatigue, fatigue, fatigue. The two real England enemies.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
Of course, this is all down to the overweening Kiwi influence in the England team. Isn't it?