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Gregorio Borgia / AP
England’s Henry Slade scores against Italy in their final Six Nations game on Sunday morning (NZT).
France secured a 35-27 bonus point victory against Ireland, but it wasn’t enough to prevent England from winning the Six Nations on Sunday morning (NZT).
England’s previous 34-5 bonus point win in Italy increased the pressure on France and Ireland, who finished third behind the French.
Ireland would have clinched the title with a six-point win, while France needed to win by 32 points with a bonus point.
Neither scenario happened and Eddie Jones’ England team celebrated from afar after the last win in 2017.
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Scrum-half Antoine Dupont, flyhalf Romain Ntamack and center Virimi Vakatawa stood out as France’s backline caused trouble all night at the Stade de France, with a penalty try added to the mix.
France’s first attempt came out of nowhere.
Thibault Camus / AP
Frenchman Antoine Dupont is approached by Irishman CJ Stander in Paris.
Fullback Anthony Bouthier shrugged off Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton, and Fickou had to stop to pick up a pass that fell off his field. He stood up to prop Andrew Porter, slipped another defender, took out last, and shoved Dupont inside for a converted try.
Moments later, Bouthier was sent off for a deliberate hit when Ireland winger Hugo Keenan invaded a ball that bounced off the left corner.
Ireland used the man’s advantage to work patiently with the support of Cian Healy in their 100th test. Ireland led 10-7 but not for long.
Vakatawa’s move, Vincent Rattez’s grubber and Ireland’s fullback Jacob Stockdale’s fumble saw wing François Cros kick forward and score definitively had he not been swept away by opposite Caelan Doris, who was in the trash. France received the penalty try.
Thibault Camus / AP
Antoine Dupont of France scores against Ireland.
France held the 17-13 lead at halftime, scoring first again when Dupont picked up Fickou’s clever kick and unloaded magnificently to give Ntamack a shot.
Ntamack hit two 28-13 penalties and brought France closer to the title fight on points difference.
But Irish center Robbie Henshaw broke three sloppy tackles to gallop and crush the French hopes.
However, they finished with more style when Ntamack cut and gathered and placed Vakatawa between the posts.
In injury time, Stockdale gave Ireland the last converted attempt, but it didn’t ease the pain of the title being snatched from their hands.
In the other match, Scotland beat Wales 14-10 at Llanelli to further pressure Kiwi manager Wayne Pivac, who has overseen five straight losses.
