England defeat ensures Ireland win Six Nations
Ireland were crowned Six Nations champions on Saturday as England followed up their defeat to Scotland by losing 22-16 to France in Paris.
England – the winners of the tournament in 2016 and 2017 – knew they needed to win and score four tries after Ireland achieved that feat in a 28-8 triumph over Scotland earlier in the day.
However, Eddie Jones’ men could not even claim victory at the Stade de France as the hosts ran out winners in a scrappy contest high on physicality but low on quality.
A second-half penalty try, awarded when Anthony Watson was penalised for a high tackle on Benjamin Fall and yellow-carded, gave France the edge after a dire first 40 had ended with the score level at 9-9.
Maxime Machenaud duly added his fourth penalty and Jonny May’s try came too late in the piece for England, with Ireland now holding an unassailable lead in the table.
Ireland will seek to complete a Grand Slam at Twickenham next weekend, but a wounded England will not be short of motivation having been denied a clean sweep of their own in Dublin in similar circumstances 12 months ago.
Congratulations to @IrishRugby who have won the #SixNations 2018, following @FFRugby’s 22-16 win over England in Paris pic.twitter.com/CgMOvb8i2y
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) March 10, 2018
England’s hopes of keeping the battle for the championship alive were effectively ended when they failed to score a try in a stop-start first half.
The visitors had more possession and territory early on, but rarely threatened to breach the French line and also suffered the setback of losing Nathan Hughes to injury after 24 minutes, Sam Simmonds taking his place.
A tally of 13 penalties prior to the interval summed up a largely turgid opening period, as Machenaud cancelled out two three-pointers from Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly’s long-distance effort.
#FRAvENG | It's three penalties apiece at the Stade de France after 40 minutes.
BIG second half coming up… pic.twitter.com/6tz4loFBqI
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 10, 2018
England were stronger at the set-piece but ill-disciplined at the breakdown in the first 40 and that remained the case early in the second half.
Things then got worse for England when France were awarded a penalty try and Watson was yellow-carded for a high tackle that prevented Fall from a certain score in the left corner.
Although the infraction appeared accidental, with Fall diving low for the line, referee Jaco Peyper appeared to have little option but to sin-bin the England full-back.
If France were disappointed not to add to their lead with their opponents down to 14, they soon shrugged off that disappointment, Machenaud slotting his fourth penalty after their rivals had once again transgressed.
Daly laid on a try for fellow wing May with six minutes remaining, but it was too little, too late for England, whose day was summed up by the concession of yet another penalty late on, kicked by replacement Lionel Beauxis.
Key Opta Facts:
– France have now won three of their last four home matches against England.
– England conceded 16 penalties in the game, the most they had conceded in a match since March 2015 v Ireland (also 16), making it the most in the Eddie Jones era.
– England have lost back to back matches under Eddie Jones for the first time.
– France have secured their biggest win over England since the 2011 World Cup when they won 19-12.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
43 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
43 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
43 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
43 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
43 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
43 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
43 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
43 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
43 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
43 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to comments