England have been absolutely humiliated by France at Twickenham this evening, shipping their largest ever home defeat during their Six Nations loss.
The first half could hardly have gone any worse for England. Entering the game on the back of the momentum picked up in the wins against Italy and Wales, they were hoping to continue their impressive record against France at Twickenham.
However, it quickly became apparent that it would not be their day.
The French scored a try inside the opening two minutes, making the England defence look very amateur in the process.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓! 🇫🇷
Thomas Ramos puts France in front after two minutes!#ENGvFRA #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/uPQLOZ1sAR— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 11, 2023
It only got worse from there. In fact, they would trail 27-3 at halftime, their biggest ever deficit at the interval in a home game.
Things hardly improved much in the second half.
Despite an early rally from England via a try from Eddie Steward, France soon took control of the game once again.
They would run in seven tries in total, with this Damian Penaud effort in the closing stages the icing on top of the cake.
𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟓𝟎 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊! 🔥
Damian Penaud again!
What a performance this has been at Twickenham!#ENGvFRA #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/9u5F92netK— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 11, 2023
The game would finish 53-10, making it England's largest ever defeat on home soil.
Clive Woodward lays into England after France loss
This result certainly shatters the illusion that England have made major progress in their game under Steve Borthwick in recent weeks.
An inquest will certainly be underway as to how a defeat as bad as this one can happen on home soil.
Speaking on ITV at halftime, Clive Woodward struggled to find the words to sum up the gap between the sides.
I'm a bit in shock watching this at the moment. We have just been outplayed, at 1-8 especially. The French forward pack is so powerful and athletic, so good with the ball in hand...
We keep giving the ball away, either by penalties or just kicking the ball to them. The French forwards have been magnificent, the offloading and the power. They're a league above the English players at the moment.
That surprised me. I thought the English players would be a lot closer. I thought we would struggle to win this game today, but I thought we would be close.
Tactically, every kick-off they are kicking it long. Why? Kick it short, try and compete and do something different to get the ball back. The French get the ball and are running from everywhere.
It's a record score at halftime. That I wasn't expected I have to say.
𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄 🇫🇷
France are having a field day at Twickenham!
Penaud gets in on the scoring!#ENGvFRA #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/Wi71NjfW0h— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 11, 2023
England's performance in the second half was arguably even worse, with France showing why they are considered to be among the top two or three teams in world rugby at the moment.
The winning margin in no way flattered the visitors, who in truth could have won by even more.
Speaking at full-time, Woodward could hardly comprehend the margin of the victory for an away side at Twickenham.
It happens. England were never going to win that game today, there were second by a long, long way. It's not that big of a gap (as the scoreboard suggests).
England have now got to go and play Ireland next week, that's a sobering thought.
We start the game and kick long, give them a free catch and into the game and away you go. Second half, France go short. They're trying to get the ball all the time.
The mentality of our team is not the same as the French team. That's down to Galtier, there's no doubt about that...
It's a sobering day, no doubts about that. I was coaching a team in Australia when we lost by 70-odd points, but that a second or third team.
To actually see this in a Six Nations game, I never thought I would ever see that scoreboard at Twickenham.
It will take quite a bit for England to get over this result, who are now tasked with travelling to Dublin next week to take on a rampant Ireland side.
Things could get worse before they get better for Borthwick's side.
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