Comprehensively. That's how England beat France at Twickenham yesterday. The forwards were strong and dynamic, and the backs ran excellent lines that the French just couldnt deal with. Toby Flood and Ben Youngs put in another great display, which further cements the belief that they are the best half back pairing in the Northern Hemisphere if not the world!
The first half flew by without instance, the packs keeping everything tight and England tryied to stretch the game to utilize there again excellent back three. Flood and Yachvilli traded penalties to end the half at 9-9.
Coming out for the second half England started brightly with Ben Foden converting a sweeping move for his first try of the Six Nations campaign. A second try followed shortly. A great break by Flood and Youngs was converted by a swallow diving Chris Ashton, only to be correctly ruled out for a forward pass.
France were not without their chances, and could of scored but Rougerie failed to collect a grubber kick neatly placed behind England's defensive line. Flood came off after 50 minutes to be replaced by the iconic Wilkinson. Wilkinson proceeded to convert a 50 meter penalty, with ease, to become the all time leading test match point scorer. A record regained from the New Zealand fly half, Dan Carter.
England could of scored again. Ashton made a great break and was one on one with Poitrenaud before trying to whip a ball out wide to Cueto, unfortunately for England the pass was intercepted, if the ball had gone short right, a try would of been inevitable.
The game ended with England again pressuring the French 22, and joyous Tom Palmer emerging from the bottom of a ruck with the ball on the final whistle. The win keeps England on course for their first Grand Slam win in 7 years!
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