England ended their abysmal Six Nations campaign with a fourth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of France.
A 48-46 loss at the Stade de France capped off England’s worst-ever Six Nations campaign, with Steve Borthwick’s side slumping to fifth.
It was a battling performance from Steve Borthwick’s men on a night where France sealed the title, and will lessen the noise around England’s head coach a tad.
But on the whole, this has been a woeful Six Nations for England. For a final time this campaign, Alex Bywater brings you his player ratings for France and England.
FRANCE
Thomas Ramos – 9.5
His kick created France’s first and he’s always relentlessly accurate from the tee, as he showed with nerveless winner.
Theo Attissogbe – 7.5
Hard to live up to the electric Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the other wing, still came up with a try of his own and it was a key one.
Pierre-Louis Barassi – 6.5
France have chopped and changed their centre pairing but their strength in depth is so good, it didn’t stop their title charge.
Yoram Moefana – 6
Not one of France’s more glamorous players but might come under pressure for his position moving forward.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey – 10
Stunning four-try haul means he’s now scored in 10 successive Six Nations games. Only Cheslin Kolbe can rival him for the title of best winger in the world.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored 10 with a stunning four-try haul as France won the Six Nations
Matthieu Jalibert – 7.5
He’s excelled in this Six Nations with Romain Ntamack injured. Showed his creativity by kicking for Bielle-Biarrey.
Antoine Dupont (capt) – 8
Rare off day in Scotland defeat. Occasionally popped up at No 10. Fine quick tap penalty set up Attissogbe.
Jean-Baptiste Gros – 6.5
He’s a giant human and a strong scrummager but the French pack didn’t have it all their own way at the set-piece.
Julien Marchand – 5
The fact he was replaced early in the second half by his Toulouse team-mate Peato Mauvaka reflected the fact he wasn’t at his usual best.
Dorian Aldegheri – 5
Tangled with Maro Itoje and the referee simultaneously when carrying forward. Didn’t dominate the scrum and substituted.
Antoine Dupont put in a fine performance for the hosts after a rare off day against Scotland
Thibaud Flament – 6
A Rolls Royce of a lock. Had a lot to contend with in the first half but slowly helped his team get on top.
Emmanuel Meafou – 7.5
Hulking figure almost blocks out the light he’s that big. Helped steal possession from Seb Atkinson and thumped Maro Itoje. Real physical presence.
Francois Cros – 6
Does lots of France’s unseen work but he wasn’t able to dominate as he usually does as England at last showed up to the party.
Temo Matiu – 4
Test debut, starting in place of Oscar Jegou who was banned for eye gouge against Scotland. Had his hands full with revived England pack and substituted at half time.
Charles Ollivon – 7
Whether he plays second row, flanker or No 8 – as he did here – he’s rarely sub-par.
Replacements: Mickael Guillard 6.5 (for Matiu 41), Peato Mauvaka 6 (for Marchand 47), Demba Bamba (for Aldegheri 47), Rodrigue Neti 6 (for Gros 63-78), Joshua Brennan 6 (for Meafou 66), Hugo Auradou 5 (for Ollivon 78)
Replacements not used: Baptiste Serin, Emilien Gailleton
Thomas Ramos got the ball rolling for France and broke England’s hearts at the end of the day
ENGLAND
Elliot Daly – 5
Kicked away possession from England’s first two attacks, good pass to Roebuck for try but too often exposed defensively. Replaced by Marcus Smith who scored instantly.
Tom Roebuck – 6.5
Strong finish in the corner from Daly assist but doubts remain over his ability without the ball. Shown up by Bielle-Biarrey.
Tommy Freeman – 7.5
Thought he’d won it but so good to see him galloping in a bit more space. To get the best out of him England have to attack. He’s wasted chasing kicks and crashing into contact.
Seb Atkinson – 6.5
Swallowed up by the giant Meafou early on and turned over though he showed promising signs of power and deftness at the line.
Cadan Murley – 6.5
Failed to stop Bielle-Biarrey although he was admittedly covering from the opposite wing. Responded with try but lucky to escape howler when under pressure from Jalibert.
Elliot Daly was too often exposed defensively and scored just a 5 with Daily Mail Sport
Fin Smith – 7.5
His strength is playing flat to the opposition defence and he did that here. Missed a couple of tough kicks but slotted brilliant drop goal conversion after ball fell off tee.
Ben Spencer – 6.5
No doubt he’s good at enacting a kick-heavy game plan but England looked far more dangerous in attack with the handbrake off. Nice kick set up Murley.
Ellis Genge – 6
He’s gone well at the scrum in this campaign. You absolutely can’t fault his work rate but responsible for England’s eighth yellow card of the Championship.
Jamie George – 6.5
Line-out was helped by having three locks on the field and England’s pack was much improved.
Joe Heyes – 8
He’s done himself consistently proud this campaign. Scrum was good again.
Maro Itoje (capt) – 8
Like his team, he’d had a really disappointing campaign but this was much better. Melted by Meafou but responded by leading his team to really strong showing.
Maro Itoje led England to a very strong showing after a disappointing Six Nations campaign
Alex Coles – 8
Won line-out possession that led to strong rolling maul and gave England the lead in hectic first half. Limped off in second period.
Ollie Chessum – 9
On the flank here instead of his usual position of lock and packed down at No 8 for scrums. Exceptional effort in fine England forward effort and came up with two tries and an assist.
Ollie Chessum was outstanding, scoring two tries and bagging an assist on his way to a 9
Guy Pepper – 6.5
This Six Nations would have been a huge learning curve for a young but very talented player.
Ben Earl – 7.5
Slipped on evening dew collecting one restart and was left bloodied when hit hard. Temporarily replaced by Henry Pollock and returned in head gear.
Replacements: Henry Pollock 6 (for Earl 39-41), Bevan Rodd 5 (for Earl 44-52), Luke Cowan-Dickie 7.5 (for George 52), Jack van Poortvliet 7 (for Spencer 52), Henry Pollock 6.5 (for Coles 55), Marcus Smith 7.5 (for Daly 55), Sam Underhill 6.5 (for Pepper 63), Trevor Davison 5(for Heyes 76), Chandler Cunningham-South 5 (for Earl 76), Bevan Rodd 5 (for Genge 76)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Attendance: 78,728
Star man: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
