England secured a thrilling 26-25 victory over France at Twickenham, marking a significant turnaround for the team and ending a series of near-misses against top-tier opposition.
The match, fraught with tension and drama, showcased the resilience of England, who found themselves trailing late after France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two pivotal tries, the second of which put France in the lead with mere moments remaining.
Yet, this time, England refused to succumb to the pressure. With the game on the line, full debutant Fin Smith orchestrated the attack, showing remarkable composure for his age and experience. His clever play facilitated the match-winning try for Elliot Daly, who dashed over the line as the clock wound down, culminating the rally with the roar of ecstatic fans echoing throughout Twickenham.
Steve Borthwick, the head coach of England, expressed satisfaction with the team's progress. He remarked, "We continue with our progress. It is part of coaching, keep clear what we are trying to work on. I have said it all along, we have to keep faith and have trust in these players, who are working really hard." His statements reflect the determination of the squad as they navigate through challenges.
Prior to this match, England had faced seven consecutive defeats against high-caliber opponents, increasing the pressure for Borthwick to deliver results. The atmosphere was electric, as fans longed for redemption against the French team.
Bielle-Biarrey's late try appeared to have dashed England's hopes yet again, but the home team’s determination surged as they mounted their final offensive. They executed their strategy with urgency, and it was Smith who delivered the final pass to Daly, who powered through to score.
Daly's impact was monumental, and fans rejoiced as the final whistle blew, signaling their first victory over France since February 2023. The moment was bittersweet; relief washed over the crowd, knowing they had witnessed their team finally break the streak of near misses.
Reflecting on his performance, Smith, who was named Player of the Match, shared his thoughts: "Happy with it, I felt like a rabbit in the headlights in the first half. But I found my feet in the end, and I am delighted with the win… this is cool for my first start anyway." His comments highlight the challenge of debuting at such a pivotal moment and underline the significant stepping stones for the young player.
On the other side, French defense coach Shaun Edwards lamented the team's handling errors, stating, "We got the oopsies, didn't we? Every time we got near the tryline we seemed to just drop the ball. I've never seen it happen before. The French lads are normally magnificent handlers of a rugby ball." His candid remarks capture the disappointment felt by the French side, which had entered the match as favorites.
With this victory, England can look forward to their upcoming matches with renewed confidence. They now have the chance to build on this momentum during their two-week break before facing Scotland in the Calcutta Cup.
The resilience shown by the England team indicates potential for growth, and fans are eager to see how the squad develops with their young talents. The significance of this victory is more than just points on the board; it symbolizes hope and the dawning of what could be a transformative phase for the England rugby team.