England proved they can play in a different way - they must not retreat into their shells
Make no mistake, that was England’s best performance since the World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand
14 March 2021 • 8:00am
France’s try after 80 seconds was simply sensational. It was also the best thing that could have happened to England. From that moment on they were chasing the game and they were forced to come out and play. And they proved, to themselves and everyone watching, that they are still a very, very good team.
Make no mistake, that was England’s best performance since the World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand. And it came because France were also absolutely intent on playing quick attacking rugby.
England return to form to end French Grand Slam hopes in enthralling clash
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Gavin Mairs,
Chief Rugby Union Correspondent,
at Twickenham
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A sensational Six Nations game stacked with the most dazzling attacking rugby of the championship was ultimately decided by an inch of the Twickenham turf.
For all the breath-taking attacking play served up by both sides, the result boiled down to the decision by television match official Joy Neville in the 76
th minute, who went against the on-field decision of referee Andrew Brace to rule that Maro Itoje had brushed the grass with the tip of the ball has he drove to the line from a line-out drive.
It was Robert Horry, the NBA basketball legend, who once said that âpressure can burst a pipe or pressure can make a diamond.â
It is a quote that sprung to mind on Thursday as England head coach Eddie Jones named his starting XV to face France at Twickenham on Saturday.
The pressure has been building on England after two defeats in the opening three rounds of the Guinness Six Nations Championship.
And with Grand Slam-chasing France arriving into London with the kind of swagger we have not seen from Les Bleus for over a decade, it feels like England have reached the point where this year will be defined by how they react to that pressure on Saturday.