As it happenedended

England vs France live: Ben Te'o strikes with late try to get defending champions off to a winning start

Follow live updates from opening day of the Six Nations

Jack de Menezes

Twickenham

Saturday 04 February 2017 11:15 GMT

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The Six Nations Championship begins with Scotland vs Ireland (Getty)

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Scotland and England made winning starts to the 2017 Six Nations championship as both Ireland and France suffered narrow defeats, though neither victors were able to secure try-scoring bonus points in two incredibly close battles. Re-live the action here.

Scotland beat Ireland 27-22 in first match of the Six Nations
Two Stuart Hogg tries plus Alex Dunbar score puts Scots ahead
Ireland responded through Earls, Henderson and Jackson
Laidlaw seals victory with two late penalties
England beat France 19-16 to move into second behind Scots
Ben Te'o try secures late victory for England
Replacement prop Rabah Slimani had put French ahead
Italy host Wales on Sunday afternoon

Follow the live action below...

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England take on France in the second match of this year’s Six Nations Championship as the reigning Grand Slam champions begin their account at Twickenham against their historic rivals.

England not only won all five matches last year, but went the whole of 2016 without losing a match to complete a 14-match winning run, 13 of which have come under head coach Eddie Jones.

France meanwhile are getting used to life under former Toulouse coach Guy Noves, and showed glimpse of their attacking best in the narrow defeats by Australia and New Zealand last summer to prove they will be a threat in this year’s Six Nations.

Here’s everything you need to know for today Six Nations matches.

What time does it start?

The opening day of the Six Nations begins at 14:25 with Scotland taking on Ireland at Murrayfield, before England take on France at 16:50.

Where can I watch it?

Scotland vs France is on live from 14:00 on BBC One, with England vs France live on ITV from 16:10.

Odds...

To win the Six Nations:

England – 3/4

Ireland – 5/2

Wales – 6/1

France – 10/1

Scotland – 16/1

Italy – 500/1

Today’s match:

England to win – 2/15

France to win – 24/5

Past three meetings...

France 21 England 31, Six Nations, March 2016.

France 25 England 20, Rugby World Cup warm-up, August 2015.

England 19 France 14, Rugby World cup warm-up, August 2015.

Welcome to The Independent's Six Nations live blog where we'll bring all the action from today's games, kicking off with Scotland vs Ireland before England vs france takes centre stage. Follow all the action throughout the day here.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2017 10:50