Summary

  • Result: England 23-20 France at Twickenham

  • Dupont scores in second minute before Watson replies

  • Itoje powers over late on to earn England dramatic win

  • England bounce back after defeat by Wales to end France's Grand Slam hopes

  1. Goodbyepublished at 19:35 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    That's all your rugby for today.

    Check back in tomorrow for what is sure to be an excellent Scotland v Ireland match.

    In the meantime, you can relive England's win below or read Mike Henson's match report here.

  2. Postpublished at 19:33 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    England 23-20 France

    The second half was a tad cagier, but still gripping as England stayed in the hunt until Maro Itoje dived over from close range in the dying minutes.

    Ruled out on the pitch, the try was awarded after it went to the TMO to give Eddie Jones' side a memorable win.

    Maro ItojeImage source, Getty Images
  3. Tale of the tapepublished at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    England 23-20 France

    The first half was thrilling, starting with Antoine Dupont's early effort but then Anthony Watson marked his 50th cap with England's first try.

    The hosts stretched ahead through a couple of penalties, but then France roared back thanks to a dazzling move finished off with aplomb by Damian Penaud.

    Penaud scoresImage source, Getty Images
  4. The standingspublished at 19:17 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    The Six Nations title is out of reach for England after Wales' victory in Rome earlier.

    But they now have a much more respectable two wins to their name.

    France can still overtake Wales given they have two games left to play after the postponement of their game against Scotland. Wales' trip to Paris next weekend is going to be a big one.

    six nations tableImage source, BBC Sport
  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:14 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    #bbcrugby or text to 81111 (UK only)

    Purple Tentacle: To be honest, I'd have been happy even of England had lost that game. It was a great improvement, a properly entertaining game, with both sides playing some wonderful stuff

    Kim: Player of the match well deserved, from an insanely exciting game! Great work Watson, very well played both teams

  6. England boost offload statspublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    Before that match England had made eight offloads across the whole tournament - fewer than any other team.

    In that match alone, they made 10 compared to France's six. You know you're onto something when you're out-offloading France.

    Elliot Daly prepares to pass the ballImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

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  8. 'We felt we had to change our game'published at 19:04 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    More from England head coach Eddie Jones:

    "We've felt since the autumn we have to change our game a bit because the laws are moving to make the game faster.

    "Our plan is to go to the 2023 World Cup as a good set-piece team and a team that can move."

    Ben Earl makes a break with the ballImage source, Getty Images
  9. 'I wish there were fans here'published at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    England head coach Eddie Jones told ITV:

    "I just wish there were 82,000 fans here.

    "It was a good, tough game of rugby with good fight from both teams and a bit of drama at the end.

    "Since the Scotland game we have played with a lot of fight and energy.

    "We thought France would come out hard early. They haven't had a game for a while and they were fresh. We had to be with them at half-time - that was our big job.

    "We thought we would get them in the second half and we did."

    Eddie Jones laughs and shakes Billy Vunipola's handImage source, Getty Images
  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    #bbcrugby or text to 81111 (UK only)

    Joe Baker: Looking forward to some new reasons for English rugby fans to moan after that. Not perfect by any means, and frustrating we are so inconsistent, but a great win against a top team

    Mark Burt: A shame England couldn’t find that performance when there was actually something to play for. This win has papered over some Grand Canyon sized cracks and bought EJ a little more time - I’m not sure that’s anything to celebrate.

    Some Body: Sorry but France stopped playing for 15 mins at the end of the 2nd half, until they found themselves behind with a minute to go. Ils n'ont cherché qu'à perdre ce match

    Jim: Great game! Really open and both teams left it out there! Great management of the last twenty by England! Ford, LCD, Itoje, Youngs, Curry, May and Watson all huge!

  11. Postpublished at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

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  12. 'We have no excuses' - Alldrittpublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    England 23-20 France

    France number eight Gregory Alldritt said on ITV:

    "We are disappointed but not about the Grand Slam because we were not really thinking about it.

    "It was a tough game. What is disappointing is losing the game in the last 10 minutes.

    "We are playing lovely rugby, we are enjoying playing together. We need to keep that, go back to work on Monday and we have a big game against Wales next week.

    "We have been training well this week. We have no excuse for today."

    Ellis Genge and Gregory AlldrittImage source, Getty Images
  13. 'A joy to be part of' - Watsonpublished at 18:47 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    Man of the match Anthony Watson told ITV:

    "To come back and get a win is the most important thing.

    "The pressure (before today) was more what we put on ourselves.

    "We knew we had not performed to our standards particularly in discipline against Wales.

    "You could see the togetherness of our squad, we have to set the benchmark and we have got to get better.

    "It was a great game to be involved with, credit to France, but it was a joy to be part of.

    "Scoring a try in the last five minutes and controlling it at the end was the main thing. We are pretty happy with that."

    Anthony Watson scores a tryImage source, Getty Images
  14. 'England learning on the job'published at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    England 23-20 France

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England played two very different styles from half to half, it worked and I will applaud that. They have lacked that for a number of games, maybe years, changing the way they play during a match. A fabulous win, and one I hope will give the squad and the RFU a boost.

  15. Postpublished at 18:41 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

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  16. Postpublished at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

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  17. 'England have bounced back'published at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC 5 Radio Live

    England have done well, started hot, survived the French storm and stayed tight. France made some errors, but fair play to England – they have bounced back after some pretty ordinary performances.

  18. Postpublished at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

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  19. 'Some of the best rugby Twickenham has seen for years'published at 18:37 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    What a game! Fabulous end to end stuff in the first half, some of the best rugby Twickenham has seen for many years. Then it got a little more tactical and cagey, but I am so impressed how England in dug in at the end.

  20. Postpublished at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    FT: England 23-20 France

    That is exactly the game England needed after a tough start to 2021.

    They finally seem to have found some fluidity and Maro Itoje - criticised for his penalty count against Wales - is back to his game-saving ways with that late try to seal the win.

    Maro Itoje scores a tryImage source, Getty Images