England find long-awaited answer to stun France and end year of hurt England 26-25 France: After seven near misses against top opposition in successcion, Fin Smith starred as England finally got over the line.
An error-prone France appeared to have conjured enough magic to win the game thrice, only for England – yes, this England – to land an improbable knockout blow.
With a rotating cast dropping into the backfield to try and spark counter-attacks from France’s much talked about long kicking game, it was Henry Slade who got them going, spotting space on the right that Tommy Freeman and Alex Mitchell very nearly exploited.
On a day where the Smiths took centre stage, England’s charming men at last achieved the victory they have long sought.
England had shown the absorbent qualities of a kitchen sponge for 30 minutes once again, but not really yet delivered on the attacking potential they hoped that pairing the Smiths would unlock.
