France secured back-to-back Six Nations championships for the first time since 2007 with a dramatic 48-46 victory over England in Paris, thanks to a last-minute penalty from Thomas Ramos. The win denied Ireland a potential title heist and capped a remarkable, unpredictable tournament.
The match saw 13 tries in total, with France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey scoring four to become the first player to register a try in every championship game in successive seasons. England, despite suffering their worst campaign in 50 years with four losses, led 46-45 after Tommy Freeman's 76th-minute try before conceding a decisive penalty.
England's performance was a vast improvement from earlier defeats to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. Ollie Chessum scored twice and Alex Coles also crossed, while Fin Smith converted a drop-kick after the ball fell off the tee. However, they could not hold possession in the final seconds, allowing Ramos to slot the match-winning kick from 45 metres.
France coach Fabien Galthié had taken his team to watch ballet rehearsals in the buildup, but it was England who showed early energy. Tom Roebuck and Cadan Murley scored tries for the visitors, but Bielle-Biarrey's brilliance kept France in contention. The home side's victory means England finish bottom of the table for the first time since the Five Nations expanded to Six.
