SM
Arsenal vs. Juventus: 3 hrs 30 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Maro Itoje scores late try as England overcome France

:Headline: Maro Itoje scores late try as England overcome France:
England left it late to beat Les Bleus.
Sports Mole

Maro Itoje crashed over for a late try as England seized a dramatic 23-20 victory over France to begin their Guinness Six Nations redemption process.

Les Blues led 20-16 until the 76th minute when Itoje bulldozed over the whitewash from short range and with Owen Farrell rifling over the conversion, they had edged the tournament favourites.

It was England's best performance of the tournament by a distance, full of endeavour and flashes of clinical execution, with Henry Slade and Tom Curry excelling.

Enabling them to go toe-to-toe with the favourites – at least initially – was their improved discipline and having given away 41 penalties across the opening three rounds, they escaped the whistle of referee Andrew Brace until the 25th minute.

A week spent addressing their self-destructive streak appeared to have paid off, but it proved a stubborn Achilles heel as old failings re-emerged in a cagey second-half where avoiding mistakes became paramount.

Some of France's play was irresistible, especially for Damian Penaud's try, but they also displayed the hard edge needed to take the 108th instalment of 'Le Crunch' to the death.

England celebrate at full-time (David Davies/PA)

It was not enough to stop England escaping further Six Nations misery, however, after two defeats had place head coach Eddie Jones under mounting pressure.

In the latest in a succession of dismal starts, England conceded the first try after only 65 seconds when wing Teddy Thomas chipped over full-debutant Max Malins and Antoine Dupont arrived to gather and touch down.

It was the sixth match in a row where they have leaked the opening try, but on this occasion their response was immediate and emphatic.

Henry Slade contributed two big carries as pressure built on the French line and the second charge by the Exeter Chief was pivotal, creating the space for George Ford to send Anthony Watson over in the 11th minute.

England were displaying the attacking intent shown in Cardiff a fortnight earlier as Watson effortlessly slid into space and for once it was the opposition who were being punished by the referee as Farrell landed two penalties.

In control of every department of the game, Jones' fallen champions were playing some of their best rugby seen since the 2019 World Cup but when they eventually conceded their first penalty, France took control.

Matthieu Jalibert was on target from the kicking tee before an attacking line-out saw the fly-half combine brilliantly with Julien Marchand, the dazzling movement in midfield creating the space for Penaud to cross.

It was now France who were storming into rucks and running hard at half-openings to pin England in their 22 and threaten another try.

Henry Slade breaks through (David Davies/PA)

Kyle Sinckler knocked on at the end of a muscular thrust through heavy traffic to end a breathless first half full of quality play, with France marginally on top with a 17-13 lead.

Two trips to the visiting 22, the second after a sharp break by Ben Youngs, got England moving again but each time the attack ended in a penalty.

And when France entered their half, they infringed again to allow Jalibert to kick Les Bleus seven points clear before Farrell responded to increase the tension in blustery conditions at Twickenham.

The third quarter was balanced on a knife edge and in a worrying sign, Brace was punishing them with increasing frequency.

France were piling on pressure once more but they fell apart at the scrum and the pendulum swung again.

England's bench were making a real difference, especially Elliot Daly who glided into space with ease armed with a point to prove after being dropped for Malins.

And the crucial blow was delivered by Itoje in the closing stages as he used his power to score a vital try.

body check tags ::

amp_article__439138 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-13 18:53:30:
html db last update - 2021-03-13 18:53:30 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Maro Itoje

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
HS
Read Next:
Henry Slade insists England will not "play soft" against France
>


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!
Read more about Maro Itoje Tom Curry Henry Slade Damian Penaud Max Malins Antoine Dupont Anthony Watson George Ford Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Henry Slade insists England will not "play soft" against France
"Arsenal have got people in mind" - When could Edu's replacement be hired?
Not again! Chelsea boss Maresca reveals new injury to James ahead of Leicester game

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
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

Preview: Leicester vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PL

Man United 'planning stunning swap deal' for Inter's prolific striker Martinez

2

MU

The 1975 to headline Friday night at Glastonbury 2025?

NEW

3

T1

Preview: Shrewsbury vs. Birmingham - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PS

Leicester vs. Chelsea: Head-to-head record and past meetings

5

LV

Preview: Everton vs. Brentford - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PE

Preview: Arsenal vs. Nott'm Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PA

James blow, Palmer decision, Lavia to start? Chelsea predicted XI against Leicester

8

JB

Preview: Man City vs. Spurs - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PM

Cooper's attacking crisis: Leicester predicted XI against Chelsea

10

CA


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