England came within seconds of spoiling France's Six Nations title celebrations in a dramatic Super Saturday finale at the Stade de France, eventually losing 48-46 in a 94-point thriller. A last-gasp penalty from Thomas Ramos secured the championship for France, condemning England to their worst-ever Six Nations campaign with a fifth-place finish and four losses in a single championship for the first time.
Despite the defeat, England delivered a vastly improved attacking display, scoring seven of the 13 tries in the match. The performance should provide some respite for head coach Steve Borthwick, who had faced mounting pressure after consecutive losses to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. England now look ahead to the inaugural Nations Championship this summer, with fixtures against South Africa, Argentina, and Fiji.
Among the standout performers was Ollie Chessum, described as 'colossal' for his efforts in leading the lineout and making a significant impact around the park. Marcus Smith also impressed with his composure, including a drop-kick conversion after the ball rolled off the tee, while Fin Smith's flat kicking created England's second try. However, defensive frailties were exposed, particularly against the pace of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who scored twice for France.
England's scrum and lineout functioned better than in previous weeks, with contributions from players like Jamie George, who secured the bonus-point try, and Ben Earl, who made a dozen tackles. The team showed resilience, fighting back to take the lead late on before Ramos' decisive penalty. The narrow defeat highlighted both the progress made and the work still needed as England prepare for the summer tour.
