From ADAM HATHAWAY
in Lyon
GUTTED England skipper Jamie George suffered a case of déjà vu as his side were downed 33-31 by a late penalty in France – again. George had flashbacks of the last time England were involved in a match across the Channel when their World Cup hopes went up in smoke in the semi-final against South Africa thanks to Handre Pollard’s late winner.
But George was justifiably proud of his side who went toe-to-toe with the French before being denied at the death.
England were already out of the title hunt after Ireland’s 17-13 win over Scotland in Dublin and their dreams of a fourth win in the Six Nations were dashed by Thomas Ramos’s late penalty.
Steve Borthwick’s men finished up with three wins, their best return since their title-winning season in 2020, but it could have been so much better.
George said: “Devastated. It was reminiscent of the loss against South Africa last time we were in France. France showed their class but we fought our way back, this a team that’s on an upward curve.”
England and France were fighting over second place in Lyon while Ireland lifted the trophy earlier in the afternoon.
Ireland prop Andrew Porter’s try, on 65 minutes, seemed to seal the deal for Andy Farrell’s men in Dublin but they were given a late scare when Scotland’s Huw Jones scored under the sticks.
Ireland held on for victory and a second title on the spin, after last year’s Grand Slam, and head to South Africa in the summer for a heavyweight contest with the world champions.
Head coach Farrell said: “We’re delighted, to win back-to-back Six Nations, that’s a nice feeling. It goes down in history for Irish rugby.”
Warren Gatland offered his resignation after his Wales side had been beaten 24-21 by Italy in Cardiff, a result which condemned them to the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003. The head coach immediately had that knocked back by WRU chief executive Abi Tierney despite a dismal five defeats out of five.
It’s been a great seven weeks – George
England’s third-place finish will feel like a kick in the guts after Borthwick’s Lions roared in Lyon and laid it all on the line
