England staged a thrilling comeback to secure a 26-25 victory over France at Twickenham on February 8, 2025, not only recovering from the disappointment of their previous loss to Ireland but also providing fans with one of the most memorable finishes of this year’s Six Nations tournament. Both teams entered the match with much on the line, with England aiming to shake off their defeat and France determined to maintain their early tournament momentum after thrashing Wales 43-0 the week before.
The match kicked off to significant anticipation, with the weather playing its part, creating slippery conditions on the field. England had faced disappointing results earlier, including their recent 27-22 loss against Ireland, which raised questions about their resilience heading forward. On the other hand, France came to the pitch with confidence, boasting star player Antoine Dupont, seen as one of the best scrum-halves around. Fans were eager to see if England could rise to the occasion against the formidable French side.
From the outset, the game exhibited intense competition, both teams struggling to gain control over the greasy conditions. Handling errors proved costly for the French, as they recorded numerous fumbles, including several ideal scoring opportunities thwarted by mistakes. Nevertheless, France broke the deadlock with Louis Bielle-Biarrey scoring at the 30-minute mark, capitalizing on England’s miscue. Dupont showcased his vision on the field, sprinting down the flank and delivering the last pass to Bielle-Biarrey, who made the kick ahead to score. The conversion made it 7-0 for France.
England responded almost immediately, displaying strong determination. Following intense pressure, Ollie Lawrence burst through and crossed the line for England, leveling the score at 7-7 before heading to halftime. This momentum shift marked England’s first signs of recovery, setting the stage for a tense second half.
The second half began with France re-establishing their lead, courtesy of Thomas Ramos’ two penalties. The French team seemed to be on the verge of pulling away again, but England, driven by positivity, stopped the momentum from shifting too far. With the score at 13-12, Fin Smith, making his impact felt, delivered a precise cross-field kick to Tommy Freeman for England’s second try, pushing the lead back to England. The tense affair saw France quickly answer back via Damian Penaud, reclaiming the lead once more at 18-12.
With the clock running down and frustration mounting, England’s Fin Baxter scored to bring the match within reach, converting to give England the slim lead late at 19-18. Just when it appeared France would close out the match, Bielle-Biarrey scored his second try, seemingly sealing the match at 25-19 with just minutes to go. Once again, critics questioned whether England’s resilience would prevail. But England had another miracle up their sleeves.
With the match veering to its conclusion, incredible pressure from England saw Elliot Daly plunge over the line with only seconds left on the clock. Fin Smith, who was awarded man of the match for his performance, displayed calmness as he stepped up to convert the try, securing the dramatic come-from-behind victory at 26-25. The crowd erupted, celebrating the moment as their heroes celebrated on the pitch.
After the final whistle, England head coach Steve Borthwick expressed his pride at his team's performance, stating, “You want things to happen instantly. This England team is going to be special, there is so much young talent.” The victory reinforced the ideas around how capable this young English side could be moving forward and how within moments, matches can turn on their heads.
Fin Smith echoed the sentiments of perseverance: “It was back and forth. We have lost plenty of games, and luckily, this one went our way today,” he said post-game. His exciting display as fly-half has certainly opened up discussions about his future role within the national setup.
The match figures highlighted the frantic pace at which the game was contested, with England achieving 80% success on their scrums and outgaining France slightly in possession. The stats carried weight, but the real drama unfolded under the stadium lights, where both teams displayed grit, especially England’s late-game heroics.
Looking toward the coming matches, England is set to face Scotland next, with hopes high to carry this momentum forward. On the other hand, France will be seeking to assess their shortcomings against Italy, aiming to bounce back from their unexpected loss.
This fixture showcased why Six Nations rugby continues to enthrall; it reminded fans about the unpredictability of sport and the excitement of the competition. With England getting their campaign back on track and France facing the challenges of recovery, the remainder of the tournament promises to hold plenty more riveting stories for rugby lovers everywhere.