| |
Almost a year ago England could have won the game with three minutes left, but Hodgson pushed an easy drop goal opportunity wide. France won by a single point. Today the defeat is serious, England lost by 25 points. France Team scored first points in the first minute of the game.
Here follow the match summary:
• Tries: Fritz, Traille, Dominici
• Cons: Yachvili 2
• Pens: Yachvili 4
• England (3) 6
• Pens: Hodgson, Goode
"We were not superior vs the english players, victory is usually made of a little difference. Determination on our side was obsviously the key. No pressure was added this past week. We played without changing our methods. Results are here today with this beautiful victory" says Team Leading Fabien Pelous.
With today's victory France still can win the Six Nations title by thrashing Ireland next Saturday, if France lose in Wales, but that is unlikely to happen.
England finally managed to get themselves into the French 22 as half-time beckoned, and Hodgson got their first points on the board after a deliberate knock-on from O. Magne. It was to be the fly-half's last act though, coach A. Robinson removing him from the action at the interval and sending on Goode for the 2nd half.
The Leicester man immediately made his presence felt, landing a penalty after another deliberate infringement by Olivier Magne.
England gradually started to get a foothold in the game, establishing a strong platform at the scrummage, while Yachvili kept them in it with a missed drop-goal and penalty.
England sent on a raft of replacements - Harry Ellis, Tom Voyce, Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan and Lawrence Dallaglio all appeared in quick succession.
More on this at BBC SPORT:
news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4793334.stm
|
