SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 6 hrs 46 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
Six Nations | Group Stage
Mar 13, 2021 at 4.45pm UK
 
England
23-20
France
Watson (9'), Itoje (75')
FT
Dupont (1'), Penaud (31')

Billy Vunipola: 'Disappointment tinges win over France'

:Headline: Billy Vunipola: 'Disappointment tinges win over France':
Maro Itoje's late try at Twickenham on Saturday powered Eddie Jones' men to their best win since the 2019 World Cup.
Sports Mole

Billy Vunipola admits England's impressive victory over France is tinged with the disappointment of knowing that pride and not silverware is at stake on the final weekend.

Maro Itoje's late try at Twickenham on Saturday powered Eddie Jones' men to their best win since the 2019 World Cup to lift the fallen Guinness Six Nations champions out of the doldrums as the expense of France's Grand Slam ambitions.

Vunipola views a rejuvenating result against the tournament favourites grounded on endeavour and resilience as a launchpad similar to the third Test victory over South Africa in 2018.

But with defeats by Scotland and Wales ending their title defence in round three, the Saracens number eight accepts that Saturday's round-five clash with Ireland has limited meaning.

"We've talked about wanting to be the greatest team in the world and this will give us confidence, knowing that we can mix it with the best teams out there and beat them," Vunipola said.

"That really showed against France, so this can definitely be a springboard moving forward, especially next week in Ireland.

"There's no use playing well against France and not backing it up next weekend. We want to do the same if not better against them.

Maro Itoje scored the match-winning try against France (David Davies/PA)

"But while it was a big win, we want to be competing for the title. We'd like to be going into Ireland knowing our destiny is in our hands. We know that's not the case.

"I know people will say it's a shame that we're not in the title race, but we have to learn to move forward.

"When Eddie Jones first came in we had bombed out of the 2015 World Cup so you have to start from somewhere and, unfortunately, this is where we're starting from as a team this year.

"If you look back to 2018, we lost five on the trot. But we won that game in South Africa in the third Test when people thought we were done and we kicked on from that point. This could be a similar point."

The outlook seemed bleak when Antoine Dupont crossed after 65 seconds, but England responded quickly with an Anthony Watson try and from that point a heavyweight contest ebbed and flowed until Itoje intervened.

"We knew how big this challenge would be. France have been amazing how they've played," Vunipola said.

"We saw with their first try...everyone at home was probably waiting for a big score to be put on us.

"But the fight and trust we had in each other as a team really showed and endured right until the end.

"That's testament to how we've improved from two weeks ago and that's the bit I'm happiest with."

Underpinning the victory were improved performances from senior players and non more so than Vunipola, who – since admitting earlier in the Six Nations that he was playing "rubbish" – has been in rampaging form against Wales and France.

"My job is to help the team and being courageous and being the player I know I can be is part of that," he said.

"I feel like I'm getting back to a level where I'm helping the team and not taking away from the team. I'm staying on the pitch which is a good sign!"

body check tags ::

amp_article__439211 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-14 12:23:34:
html db last update - 2021-03-14 12:23:34 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Billy Vunipola

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Maro Itoje scores late try as England overcome France
Ruben rejected: Man United's 'unsuccessful feeler' for Real Madrid star revealed
"He's been unfairly judged" - Have the critics been too harsh on Arsenal's Merino?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Will Doku, Dias return? Man City injury list for Feyenoord clash

1

WD

Defensive trio to miss out: Arsenal injury, suspension list for Sporting clash

2

DT

Throw him to the Lions? Zirkzee 'has five escape routes' from Man Utd

NEW

3

TH

Cadillac F1's 2026 Entry 'inevitable' says Zak Brown

NEW

4

CF

Sunday's Eredivisie predictions including Ajax vs. PEC Zwolle

5

SE

Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Lille vs. Rennes

6

SL

Sunday's Serie A predictions including Napoli vs. Roma

7

SS

European escape: National champions 'escalate' pursuit of Chelsea contract rebel

8

EE

'Not good enough': Man United chiefs have 'serious doubts' over summer arrival

9

'G

Another Ruben reunion? Man United add 'fan favourite' to left-back shortlist

10

AR


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .