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France Edge Thrilling Six Nations Clash Against England in Lyon
Published: 23:11 BST, 16 March 2024 | Updated: 01:42 BST, 17 March 2024, as reported by BBC Rugby Union
In an exhilarating finale to both teams’ Six Nations campaign, France emerged victorious with a narrow 33-31 triumph over England in Lyon. The rollercoaster encounter saw the lead exchanged multiple times, and Thomas Ramos’ late penalty from the halfway line secured the win for Les Bleus. Seven tries were scored between the teams, with England’s Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, and Marcus Smith all finding the try line in the second half.
France’s second-place finish in the final standings was confirmed, while England took third place, just a point behind.
A Different Atmosphere in Lyon
Le Crunch, played in Lyon as an alternative to Paris, proved to be a popular venue, offering a different atmosphere for supporters. The city, known for its vibrant charm and gastronomy, accompanied the rugby experience with flair. The Stade de France is currently being prepared for the Olympics, necessitating a rotational approach for hosting Six Nations fixtures. As the contract for the Stade de France approaches its renewal next summer, Lyon and other major Gallic cities have demonstrated their potential as temporary homes for France’s international matches.
Fans’ Powerful Anthem Performance
Fans at the Groupama Stadium were treated to a captivating pre-match moment, as they sang La Marseillaise unaccompanied by music—a resounding rendition that set the tone for the match. However, the excitement seemed to affect the players, who required two attempts at kick-offs after the fans’ powerful anthem performance.
Steward’s Composure Amid Commotion
England’s Freddie Steward navigated a pre-match disagreement with a venue official, maintaining his composure amid the commotion over running drills and the light show. Steward, sporting a neatly-trimmed beard, embodied the facial hair-filled England squad’s camaraderie.
Bizarre Incident with Spidercam
A bizarre incident unfolded as the Spidercam, suspended above the pitch, nearly knocked down a post during the first half. The wires supporting the camera were installed with insufficient clearance, causing one of the posts to wobble alarmingly before stabilizing.
France U20s Claim Title Against England
Another highlight of the weekend featured the France v England Under 20s match in Pau on Friday night. France’s reinforcement of the junior team with Tuilagi demonstrated their resolve, making it a challenging start for England’s young squad. However, England rallied in the second half, claiming the title with a 33-21 win. Henry Pollock, the Northampton flanker, was named Man of the Match, sealing an outstanding campaign with another try-scoring performance.
“The rollercoaster encounter saw the lead exchanged multiple times, and Thomas Ramos’ late penalty from the halfway line secured the win for Les Bleus.”
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