Reigning Six Nations champions France inflicted England’s heaviest home defeat of all time in London on Saturday.
An utterly dominant France ended their 18-year wait for a Six Nations success at Twickenham by racing to a 27-3 lead at half time en route to a seven-try, 53-10 victory that keeps alive their hopes of retaining the title.
France fullback Thomas Ramos, lock Thibaud Flament and blindside flanker Charles Ollivon all touched down in the first half, with Flament and Ollivion scoring again after the break to go with a brace from irrepressible right wing Damian Penaud, as the Roses suffered their worst-ever defeat in the competition.
Ramos, who also kicked 18 points in the match, opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes after finishing off an electric break from the visitors, before Flament and Ollivon barged over from close range either side of England flyhalf Marcus Smith’s penalty before the interval.
England fullback Freddie Steward scored first after the break, but Flament hit back to secure the bonus point before Ollivion and Penaud dotted down for the icing on the cake for the visitors.
With one round remaining, Les Bleus can retain the championship but need other results to go their way after previous victories against Italy and Scotland were punctuated by a loss to Ireland in round 2.
England will play the final match of the tournament away to the world’s top-ranked team, Ireland, next Saturday shortly after France host Wales in Paris.
⚡️ An electric start from @FranceRugby! ⚡️#ENGvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/vvyiyFEsD1
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 11, 2023
? Dreams do come true ?@Thibaud_Flament scores at Twickenham!#ENGvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/jQQI0a8Uox
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 11, 2023
?? France came to play!#ENGvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/hOGxhuZEHL
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 11, 2023
??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?@ITVRugby | #ENGvFRA pic.twitter.com/PJGVGXPmL8
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 11, 2023
Photo: Ben Whitley/PA Images via Getty Images