Thomas Ramos kicked a penalty after the final hooter to win the Six Nations for France with a mind-blowing 48-46 victory over a rejuvenated England on Saturday, March 14.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored four of the 13 tries in a barn-storming encounter in which the lead changed hands numerous times. But Ramos’s kick ensured that France retained the title and denied Ireland, who had moved into pole position by beating Scotland earlier.
Bielle-Biarrey, 22, took his tally to 29 tries in just 27 Tests for France and finished this Six Nations campaign with nine, beating his own record of eight from last season. He also extended another record by scoring in a 10th consecutive Six Nations match.
Ramos delayed just enough to suck in England’s defense and then chipped ahead for the flying winger to dash on to, beating Caden Murley to the ball before going over after seven minutes. England struck back immediately, spinning the ball wide for Tom Roebuck to dive over in the corner.
But the visitors had not learned their lesson from the opening try and this time a Matthieu Jalibert grubber at an angle sent Bielle-Biarrey clear for his 27th try in as many Tests. England were unbowed, though, and struck back soon afterwards, as Ben Spencer’s grubber was spilled by Theo Attisogbe and Murley pounced to score. Two tries each but France led by four points as Ramos proved more accurate than Fin Smith with the conversion attempts.
And a penalty from Ramos stretched France’s lead to seven, only for England tfrom o level up after Ollie Chessum barged ovefrom m close range and Smith landed the conversion. Chessum then turned provider, passing inside for Alex Coles to dot down for the bonus point score, with Smith converting again from out wide.
‘Crunch’
And after Smith kicked a penalty from in front of the posts, England led 27-17, and by four tries to two. But there was still time in this wonderfully entertaining “Crunch” for France to hit back, earning a penalty try after Ellis Genge, who was yellow-carded, collapsed a maul a yard from the try line.
Within 90 seconds of the restart, the try line had been breached again, as Bielle-Biarrey finished off a flowing move to land his hat-trick. With England still down to 14 men, France struck again as captain Antoine Dupont took a quick penalty and fired out a pass to Attisogbe to add France’s fifth try of the game, and the ninth overall.
France were in the mood, throwing the ball about and attacking with verve, but Chessum picked off Jalibert and ran more than half the length of the field for his second. The festival of tries showed no sign of abating and Marcus Smith, with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, scored England’s sixth, converting to give them a one-point lead.
Once again, the momentum shifted, as France turned over ball deep in their own half and Dupont hoofed it long. Bielle-Biarrey – who else ? – won the foot race for his fourth try. But seven minutes from time, replacement prop Demba Bamba was yellow-carded and Tommy Freeman scythed over for England’s seventh try – the 13th of the match – with Smith converting from under the points for a one-point lead again.
But Ramos, and France, had the last laugh.
‘Amazing’ effort for Wales
Meanwhile, Wales tasted Six Nations success for the first time in 1,099 days after blowing away Italy 31-17 in Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The growing confidence from spirited losses against Scotland and Ireland spilled over into an unexpected and dominant bonus-point win, Wales’ first in the championship since March 2023 when it beat Italy in Rome. Wales was physical, direct and ruthless, leading 21-0 by halftime, then 31-0 before Italy scored.
“That performance has been coming,” Wales coach Steve Tandy told broadcaster BBC. “We’ve focused on not getting ahead of ourselves and making sure each part of our game improves. But the intent was there from the start from this young group. They’re desperate to learn and get better whether they win or lose. Their effort is amazing.”
Their scramble defense was also amazing as Italy had two tries disallowed, one held up, and another prevented by an ankle tap. While Wales ended the nightmare of a national record 15-match losing streak in the Six Nations, it finished with a third consecutive wooden spoon.
“Not ideal to finish bottom of the table but everyone can see we’re growing and moving in the right direction,” Wales No. 8 and player of the match Aaron Wainwright said. “The way we started today and hung in there shows how far we’ve come.”
Italy equaled its best Six Nations finish – fourth in 2007 and 2013 – but it wanted more, an historic third win in a single championship after beating Scotland and England. However, the Azzurri were smashed in the first half, and ultimately missed 30 tackles.