Six Nations: 'Our voices cracked in the anthem'

Fin Smith poses for a photo with his parents Andrew and Judith at the Allianz Stadium

The families of the Northampton Saints players who played key roles in England's Six Nations victory over France have been sharing their memories of the nail-biting game.

Fin Smith set up the crucial try in his first start in an international game and then secured the conversion.

His father, Andrew, said his voice had cracked during the national anthem and there were "lots of tears" afterwards.

And Tommy Freeman's dad, Cliff, said his son's try during the game was his "best try yet".

Despite starting "like a rabbit in the headlights", Smith set up a try for his Saints' teammate Freeman, as well as creating the decisive try in the 79th minute and sealing victory with the conversion.

The 22-year-old from Warwick was named man of the match after England's epic 26-25 win.

His proud parents were watching the rugby union action in the Allianz Stadium in London.

Saints players Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman celebrate after the victory against France.

Andrew Smith said: "Jude - Fin's mum - and I managed to get about three words into the national anthem before our voices cracked and when we saw Fin afterwards, he said the same thing had happened to him.

"It was such an exciting game and when he set up the winning try... and to get the conversion, just incredible."

He admitted there were "lots of tears afterwards, but we're just so proud of him".

"To do all that in his first start in an international, we're just incredibly proud. He's quite a boy," he added.

Tommy Freeman's parents were both at the Allianz Stadium to see him score a try

Tommy Freeman's father, Cliff, described the try set up by Smith for his son as his "best try yet."

He believed the build-up to that try was "three or four minutes of sheer beauty".

"To do it in a victory on home ground was immense," he added.