England vs France: Last 4

England’s match against France this weekend is the final match of this year’s competition, and will more than likely decide who will take home this year’s championship. Although France have been poor so far this year, they will all ways rise for “Le Crunch”, typified by how close the last 4 matches between the two have been.

France 26 -  England 24, February 2014

The opening match of last year’s tournament was one of the all-time greats between the sides. France raced into a big first half lead, leading 16-3 after the first quarter courtesy of two tries from Yoann Huget , who was twice the beneficiary of two incredible unfortunate bounces of the ball. England, who had the likes of Jack Nowell and Luther Burrell making their debut, rallied superbly in the second half, Burrell scoring an early second half try to ignite the comeback. The boot of Owen Farrell looked to have got them back into the match, even into a lead which looked enough to take the tie. But another debutante, Gael Fickou, had other ideas, showing irresistible pace to round a tired English defence in the closing minutes to score under the posts, and secure a precious opening day victory for his side.

England 23 – France 13, Febraury 2013

Another Six Nations humdinger, this time England getting the better of their bitter rivals. France again started the quicker of the two, leading 10-9 at the break after a brilliant solo effort from Wesley Fofana. The ever reliable boot of Owen Farrell put England into a precarious 12-10 lead as the game drew closer to its conclusion, before a somewhat controversial try was scored by the home side. Farrell hoisted the ball high, where it was spilled in the French 22. It looked to have gone forward off the on rushing Vunipola, however this was missed by the officials, allowing Manu Tuilagi scoop the ball and race clear to the try line. From there the English closed the game out, securing a third win in a row in that year’s competition.

France 22 – England 24, March 2012

This was another which was as tight as they come between the two, this time England coming out the right side of the score line. Two tries in the opening quarter from Manu Tuilagi and Ben Foden led England to a 14-3 lead, but France came rumbling back into the match with penalties from Lionel Beauxis, Julien Dupuy and Morgan Parra to trail 15-17 deep into the match.  An incredible solo try from centre-turned-hooker Tom Croft gave England a 9 point lead with time running out. Wesley Fofana then turned up to score in the corner, and leave the score 22-24 with seconds left to play. Replacement out half Francois Trinh-Duc tried a long range drop goal as the clock ran dead which dropped short, and it was England who came away with the narrowest of victories.

England 12 – France 19, October 2011

The quarter final of a world cup is all ways going to be a tight affair, and this was no different. In a tight game that lacked much imagination, first-half tries from Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard opened a lead of 16 unanswered points for the French, a lead which was not to be let go. Ben Foden struck back for the English, a fine solo effort, and Mark Cueto crossed the whitewash late on to give his side a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t to be as France held on to advance to the semi finals.