England v France LIVE: Six Nations result and reaction as England win Twickenham thriller with last-gasp try
England 26-25 France: A back-and-forth thriller ended with Elliot Daly going over for the crucial try at the death
England ended their painful losing run with a stunning 26-25 Six Nations victory over France at Twickenham as Elliot Daly’s last-gasp try punished the French for an extraordinary catalogue of handling errors.
The score was somehow 7-7 at half-time when France should have been away and clear, only for a succession of dropped balls to keep England in the hunt.
England clung on but Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s second try with five minutes to go looked to have earned the French a fourth successive victory over their old rivals.
England, however, who faded so often when losing seven games in a row against Tier One opposition over the last year, found a new energy and replacement Daly blasted through for their fourth try at the death.
Fly-half Fin Smith, making his first start, converted to send Twickenham wild and reignite England’s championship hopes following their opening defeat by Ireland.
Relive all the action from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:
Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live: 'England needed it'
“England needed it. They needed the big win. Nobody saw this coming.
“We have got to be honest, that first half England were lucky as France had so many opportunities, but we have been to too many of these games.
“You have got to make the most of your opportunities and England did that.
“England looked threatening, they looked dangerous. My goodness, did they have to work for it.”
It was a superb first start for England fly half Fin Smith, who orchestrated things brilliantly at No 10 and even took over kicking duties late on after Marcus Smith’s struggles.
Here’s what the youngster had to say after the win.
“It was back and forth. We have lost plenty of games and luckily this one went our way today. It was far from perfect but that group fought for it.
"We kept giving ourselves another shot and, we got ourselves over the line in the end. Unbelievable atmosphere, I am delighted with that."
Guinness Six Nations player of the match Fin Smith: 'We backed ourselves'
“It was back and forth. We have lost plenty of games like that in the past but we won that one today. We kept giving ourselves a shot.
“An unbelievable atmosphere, I am delighted with that. We just backed ourselves and knew we could not go into our shells.
“France are an awesome outfit but we felt the momentum had to go our way at some point. I felt a bit of a rabbit in the head lights at the start but it is awesome to end the game as the man of the match.”
WATCH: Elliot Daly snatches victory for England at the death
Here’s that winning moment. Elliot Daly running a gorgeous line and slicing through for the try to give England victory
FULL-TIME! England 26-25 France
Wow, wow, wow. What an incredible game of rugby. England had lost seven of their last nine matches and made a habit of late defeats.
But that Elliot Daly try has changed the narrative.
FULL-TIME! England 26-25 France
We have time for kick-off! England claim it. One phase and the ball booted into the stands
ENGLAND FINALLY WIN A GAME! It’s huge. All those close losses and finally England get over the line.
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham erupts! I’ve never heard it so loud. This means so much.
TRY! England 26-25 France (Elliot Daly, 80 mins)
England set up the lineout maul but it stalls initially. They try to roll it but are forced to spread the ball.
AND IT’S A TRY!!!! Elliot Daly runs an exquisite line, crashes on to the ball from Fin Smith, slices between defenders and scorches in under the posts.
It’s an easy conversion bang in front and Smith gets it! England lead by a point. OH MY WORD
England 19-25 France, 79 mins
England win a scrappy lineout near halfway but a fairly aimless kick over the top is easily claimed.
England penalty! Great breakdown work by Earl, who takes on three French defenders and wins the penalty. A bit lucky maybe? England don’t care - they kick to the corner.
England 19-25 France, 77 mins
England win the kick-off again - they have been superb in that department today!
They’re into the 22, George pops to Lawrence and he pokes a grubber kick through but it bounces into touch. France survive
TRY! England 19-25 France (Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 75 mins)
And France score! It’s brutally clinical again.
A Fin Smith kick forces Dupont back into his 22 but he runs out, dances around and finds Penaud in space on the right. His kick ahead can’t be claimed and Alldritt takes France into the 22.
They’ve got numbers out left and Louis Bielle-Biarrey has an easy run-in. Thomas Ramos adds the extras and now France lead by six.
What a second half!
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