Summary

  • Last-minute Thomas Ramos penalty from near halfway line snatches thrilling win for France

  • Lead changed several times in rollercoaster second half in Lyon

  • France finish second in Six Nations with England third

  • Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence and Marcus Smith scored tries in second half

  • Leo Barre and Gael Fickou touched down to revive hosts' hopes

  • England trailed 16-10 at half-time with Lawrence scoring late on

  1. Postpublished at 3 mins

    France 0-0 England

    The ball goes loose and Ollie Chessum smashes it up the field. We will have another scrum.

    Yet to settle this one.

    French scrumImage source, Getty Images
  2. Tough start for Englandpublished at 20:04 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France 0-0 England

    Matt Dawson
    2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There's some early fall out for England, Alex Mitchell has got a wrist injury that does not look good and Sam Underhill got a stinger and may have injured his shoulder.

  3. Postpublished at 2 mins

    France 0-0 England

    Nicolas Depoortere is first to open up his long legs. A confident start from France until Thomas Ramos kicks the ball away.

    French player running whilst being tackledImage source, Getty Images
  4. Kick-offpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France 0-0 England

    Second time lucky.

  5. Postpublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France 0-0 England

    False start....

    They missed the countdown.

    Teams walking outImage source, Getty Images
  6. Kick-offpublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France 0-0 England

    Here we go!

    Under the lights in Lyon, some arena for rugby.

    France fansImage source, PA Media
  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    #bbcrugby via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Ian: On paper France should walk this.

  8. 'Sad if this is Tuilagi's swansong'published at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    We might be seeing an England team ready to move on from the Manu Tuilagi era. He was always outstanding to play with, and if it is his last game it will be sad for English rugby.

  9. Tuilagi 'gutted' to not play nephewpublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    Manu Tuilagi's nephew Posolo Tuilagi, who made his France debut against Ireland in round one, was released by Fabien Galthie to play for the Under-20s this week.

    Sadly that meant Manu was unable to play against his nephew in Lyon.

    "I was gutted," Tuilagi told Rugby Union Daily.

    "I spoke to my brother to see if he was playing because I knew he was sick last week, so I didn't know if he was back fit this week.

    "I am so happy for him and proud of him for where he is, as he is a good lad. It is good to see."

    Posolo TuilagiImage source, Getty Images
  10. TUNE IN!published at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    As well as live text coverage, we have also got you covered for radio coverage of the big game.

    Listen live via the the icon at the top of the page.

    Sara Orchard is in Lyon with former England internationals Chris Ashton and Matt Dawson.

  11. Player watch: Le Garrecpublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    France have massively struggled without Antoine Dupont this Six Nations as he chases Olympic gold.

    Until scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec was thrown in at Cardiff.

    Expect energy and 40-yard reverse passes from the 21-year-old in Lyon.

    Yes you heard that right....

    Media caption,

    Six Nations Rugby Special: Nolann Le Garrec was 'Outstanding' for France against Wales

  12. It could be 'electric'published at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    Matt Dawson
    2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

    If France get their dander up then the atmosphere in this stadium will be absolutely electric.

  13. The fight for second place continues...published at 19:49 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    France defence coach Shaun Edwards, speaking to ITV on finishing second: "It will be respectful, this is a vital game for us."

    England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to ITV: "We always knew we were finishing this tournament with two teams in the top four.

    "We wanted to see how we match ourselves against the best teams in the world, tonight is another one of those games".

    Groupama Stadium in Lyon.Image source, Getty Images
  14. Want some more content?published at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    BBC Sounds

    Use the podcasts button on the BBC Sounds app to find 'All Day Rugby', a daily curated playlist keeping you up to date with the latest analysis, reaction and chat from the Six Nations.

    The perfect rugby fix in-between matches.

    The link is here.

  15. Home struggles for Francepublished at 19:47 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    Here is a crazy stat for you.

    France are winless at home in this year's Six Nations.

    Will they end this miserable run?

  16. 'France still bragging about last year'published at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    This is always a ginormous clash of two big rugby nations. I saw Philippe Saint-Andre last night and he could not stop bragging about last year's result.

  17. Head-to-headpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    Ben EarlImage source, .
    • France's 53-10 win in the 2023 Six Nations was their biggest-ever Test victory against England.
    • France can win four home successive home meetings for only the second time in the championship's history (after 1966-1972).
    • England have not won a Six Nations game in France since a 31-21 triumph in 2016.
    • England have scored four tries in a championship game in France just once since 1929 and never in the Six Nations era. They won 31-13 in an infamously violent clash in 1992.
  18. WATCH: Ireland secure the titlepublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    The highlights from Ireland's victory over Scotland which secured back-to-back titles.

    Media caption,

    Six Nations 2024: Ireland win back-to-back titles after beating Scotland

  19. Postpublished at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    If only for that defeat in Murrayfield.....

    Would history have repeated itself?

  20. 2016 - Grand Slam memoriespublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March

    France v England (20:00 GMT)

    Media caption,

    Six Nations highlights: France 21-31 England

    England's last win in France came back in 2016 in their Grand Slam decider.

    First-half tries from Danny Care and Dan Cole had given England a five-point half-time lead, only for the relentless penalty precision of Maxime Machenaud to keep France within touching distance.

    But a third try in three matches from Anthony Watson calmed rising nerves before a brace of late penalties from Owen Farrell allowed the travelling support to sing their heroes home.