England ended their painful losing run with a stunning 26-25 Six Nations victory over France at Twickenham as Elliot Daly’s last-gasp try punished the French for an extraordinary catalogue of handling errors.
The score was somehow 7-7 at half-time when France should have been away and clear, only for a succession of dropped balls to keep England in the hunt.
England clung on but Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s second try with five minutes to go looked to have earned the French a fourth successive victory over their old rivals.
England, however, who faded so often when losing seven games in a row against Tier One opposition over the last year, found a new energy and replacement Daly blasted through for their fourth try at the death.
Fly-half Fin Smith, making his first start, converted to send Twickenham wild and reignite England’s championship hopes following their opening defeat by Ireland.
Relive all the action from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:
England vs France LIVE
- England beat France 26-25 in dramatic Six Nations clash at Twickenham
- Elliot Daly surged over the line in the final minute to snatch victory.
- Steve Borthwick's side had suffered seven defeats in their last nine games but grabbed a vital win
- REPORT: England find long-awaited answer to stun France and end year of hurt
REPORT: England find long-awaited answer to stun France and end year of hurt
19:02
,
Luke Baker
On a day where the Smiths took centre stage, England’s charming men at last achieved the victory they have long sought. Seven times this likeable side had toiled to no avail against top-tier opposition over the last year, seven times coming close but not close enough. But no longer.
This was a win that defied pre-match logic and, in truth, in-match flow, the full-time whistle greeted by an outpouring of emotion befitting a win of some magnitude.
One wonders how the Twickenham crowd will cope when they finally see a straightforward Six Nations contest. This was brilliant and baffling in just about equal measure, far from ideal conditions somehow managing to enrich rather than ruin what appeared a one-sided fixture on paper.
An error-prone France appeared to have conjured enough magic to win the game thrice, only for England – yes, this England – to land an improbable knockout blow.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full report from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham:
Steve Borthwick speaks after England's win
19:40
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
“The players have worked consistently to improved. Today, we managed to push the extra pass at the end. I am really pleased for the players to get the win. Everyone wants that tangible reward to show that progress has been made. The atmosphere was exceptional and the Test match in itself was a great spectacle for everybody.
“I’ve been proud of them every game. They keep trying to get better, they keep wanting to be a really good team. They are a delight to coach. It was by no means perfect. We scored four tries against that defence, which is a very, very good defence. France had lots of chances, they made mistakes in the 22. What really struck me today was how hard the England players were running back. And we had to. They ran back and tried to save tries.”
Maro Itoje explains key qualities that helped England to victory
19:38
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
“Incredibly happy with the result,” the England captain says. “I think the team has been working and been consistent throughout this period. The result is a vindication of the hard work. We are happy with the win.
“Steve told the group to be ambitious, he told the group to be brave and go out to try to score tries. Our backs, especially, were incredibly brave and ambitious. They took the ball on when we ordinarily would have taken the conservative option. This game was by no means perfect. Steve will give us an honest review like he always does. We are happy with the win, but we know there are definitely things to improve.”
France lock Emmanuel Meafou rues mistakes after defeat
19:23
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
“I think we just made one too many mistakes, a few too many turnovers and it was a bit wet out there and we dropped too many balls,” the locke
"It didn’t stick for us tonight and the English were better at keeping the possession.
"Our style of play is to kind of let the ball go, a freestyle way of playing, I think we need to be better at bringing it back to the simple things but we will learn from this game.
"We need to get rid of the fancy stuff we force and just let the play happen by itself.
"There are three games left so we will come back stronger."
England battle to win over France
19:14
,
Luke Baker
It was an incredible match at Twickenham and the England players were deservedly celebrating on the pitch post-match
Former England head coach Eddie Jones
19:05
,
Ciara Fearn
“England are on the threshold of being a really good team. What they need to do is take the learnings from today and really reinforce how they handle difficult moments in matches. How they get on the front foot again and not go into their shell.
“Keep being aggressive, keep attacking.
“It was evident in the second half, they kept going and going and were rewarded. That really aggressive attacking mindset is the way forward for England.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick
19:04
,
Ciara Fearn
“I thought it was an exciting Test match and I’m delighted for the players. It was a special atmosphere at the Allianz stadium.
“You want things to happen instantly. This England team is going to be a very good team, there is a lot of young talent and their potential is so high, but you’ve got to do is keep working hard.
"Today, you saw some things improve, you saw their bravery, courage with the ball – they are a team who want to score tries. We scored four tries against a brilliant France defence and restricted them to three."
England captain Maro Itoje delighted for the team
18:57
,
Ciara Fearn
"It was a blur. For large parts of the game we weren't as accurate as we wanted to be. I will take responsibility for the line-outs not being as accurate as we wanted them to be.
"One thing I love is we'll fight for each other, and we are going to believe in each other.
"We were brave - that's the foundation of what we want to be doing going forward.
"I am delighted for this team, for the fans, thanks for staying with us. We are going to build from here."
"We need to be consistent throughout the game. We need to be accurate and when we have opportunities we need to capitalise on them, but what I love about this team is we are going to fight.
"We want this to be the foundation of us, and thanks so much for the support.”
Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live: 'England needed it'
18:51
,
Ciara Fearn
“England needed it. They needed the big win. Nobody saw this coming.
“We have got to be honest, that first half England were lucky as France had so many opportunities, but we have been to too many of these games.
“You have got to make the most of your opportunities and England did that.
“England looked threatening, they looked dangerous. My goodness, did they have to work for it.”
18:48
,
Luke Baker
It was a superb first start for England fly half Fin Smith, who orchestrated things brilliantly at No 10 and even took over kicking duties late on after Marcus Smith’s struggles.
Here’s what the youngster had to say after the win.
“It was back and forth. We have lost plenty of games and luckily this one went our way today. It was far from perfect but that group fought for it.
"We kept giving ourselves another shot and, we got ourselves over the line in the end. Unbelievable atmosphere, I am delighted with that."
Guinness Six Nations player of the match Fin Smith: 'We backed ourselves'
18:47
“It was back and forth. We have lost plenty of games like that in the past but we won that one today. We kept giving ourselves a shot.
“An unbelievable atmosphere, I am delighted with that. We just backed ourselves and knew we could not go into our shells.
“France are an awesome outfit but we felt the momentum had to go our way at some point. I felt a bit of a rabbit in the head lights at the start but it is awesome to end the game as the man of the match.”
WATCH: Elliot Daly snatches victory for England at the death
18:42
,
Luke Baker
Here’s that winning moment. Elliot Daly running a gorgeous line and slicing through for the try to give England victory
DALY FOR THE LINE - DALY FOR THE WIN!
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 8, 2025
Simply sensation from the red roses! #ITVRugby | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/wac9umeizA
FULL-TIME! England 26-25 France
18:39
,
Luke Baker
Wow, wow, wow. What an incredible game of rugby. England had lost seven of their last nine matches and made a habit of late defeats.
But that Elliot Daly try has changed the narrative.
FULL-TIME! England 26-25 France
18:31
,
Luke Baker
We have time for kick-off! England claim it. One phase and the ball booted into the stands
ENGLAND FINALLY WIN A GAME! It’s huge. All those close losses and finally England get over the line.
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham erupts! I’ve never heard it so loud. This means so much.
TRY! England 26-25 France (Elliot Daly, 80 mins)
18:30
,
Luke Baker
England set up the lineout maul but it stalls initially. They try to roll it but are forced to spread the ball.
AND IT’S A TRY!!!! Elliot Daly runs an exquisite line, crashes on to the ball from Fin Smith, slices between defenders and scorches in under the posts.
It’s an easy conversion bang in front and Smith gets it! England lead by a point. OH MY WORD
England 19-25 France, 79 mins
18:28
,
Luke Baker
England win a scrappy lineout near halfway but a fairly aimless kick over the top is easily claimed.
England penalty! Great breakdown work by Earl, who takes on three French defenders and wins the penalty. A bit lucky maybe? England don’t care - they kick to the corner.
England 19-25 France, 77 mins
18:27
,
Luke Baker
England win the kick-off again - they have been superb in that department today!
They’re into the 22, George pops to Lawrence and he pokes a grubber kick through but it bounces into touch. France survive
TRY! England 19-25 France (Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 75 mins)
18:26
,
Luke Baker
And France score! It’s brutally clinical again.
A Fin Smith kick forces Dupont back into his 22 but he runs out, dances around and finds Penaud in space on the right. His kick ahead can’t be claimed and Alldritt takes France into the 22.
They’ve got numbers out left and Louis Bielle-Biarrey has an easy run-in. Thomas Ramos adds the extras and now France lead by six.
What a second half!
England 19-18 France, 74 mins
18:24
,
Luke Baker
Swing Low is being absolutely roared around the Allianz Stadium now. Can England finally, finally see a match out? The crowd hope so.
Good kick-off claim and the sides exchange kicks. England could do with winning one of these territory battles.
TRY! England 19-18 France (Fin Baxter, 71 mins)
18:21
,
Luke Baker
Lineout five metres out. George picks out Chessum and England surge to a metre away.
And they’re over! Fin Baxter lunges for the line, the referee’s arm goes up and they’ve converted a 22 entry.
Crucial conversion and it’s Fin Smith now on kicking duties after Marcus’s horror show. Pressure on the young man but he nails it! England lead by a point!
England 12-18 France, 69 mins
18:19
,
Luke Baker
England have to put the errors out of their mind. They’re still right in this match with 11 minutes left. attacking scrum in the French half and they get a push on
Penalty called! Good work by the front row. This time to the corner...
MISSED PENALTY! England 12-18 France (Marcus Smith, 67 mins)
18:18
,
Luke Baker
This is not a dissimilar position to where Marcus Smith made a mess of the last conversion.
And once again, the full back shanks it completely. The ball goes well wide of the left post. It’s been a bad, bad day for Smith.
England 12-18 France, 66 mins
18:16
,
Luke Baker
The crowd are really into this now and it’s frantic stuff. Turnovers by both sides and England pinch the ball back in the 22.
They go right and then try a kick through for Freeman to chase but Bielle-Biarrey covers. Bodies everywhere now as Slade and Tom Curry get some treatment.
England have a penalty about 10 metres out for offside. They look set to kick for the posts once play resumes.
England 12-18 France, 64 mins
18:12
,
Luke Baker
Here come England again! What a second half we’re having!
Gorgeous hands from Jamie George, who has just come on, and Tom Curry but just as they’re within five metres here’s a knock-on off the hands of Marcus Smith
England 12-18 France, 62 mins
18:10
,
Luke Baker
So immediately back to a six-point game! But England are still within one score.
TRY! England 12-18 France (Damian Penaud, 61 mins)
18:09
,
Luke Baker
Joe Heyes on for England in the front row.
France immediately back on the attack and they’re into the 22. They patiently run some phases before spreading the ball to the right.
Bielle-Biarrey has wrapped around and his pass to Damian Penaud gives the winger a simple dive over the line.
Tricky touchline conversion for Ramos and his attempt is just wide
TRY! England 12-13 France (Tommy Freeman, 59 mins)
18:07
,
Luke Baker
The kick game works for England. A few phases after Tommy Freeman claims the initial kick-off by outjumping Auradou, Fin Smith pops up a lovely up-and-under, Freeman outleaps Bielle-Biarrey this time!
He gathers cleanly, cuts inside Dupont and stretches out for the try. Superb stuff!
Marcus Smith makes a mess of the conversion, completely shanking it across the face of the posts and wide. But it’s a one-point game.
England 7-13 France, 57 mins
18:05
,
Luke Baker
Whole new front row for France as Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille and Georges-Henri Colombe come on.
England win the kick-off back with a great chase and have an attacking platform.
PENALTY! England 7-13 France (Thomas Ramos, 56 mins)
18:04
,
Luke Baker
French scrum penalty as Baxter is pinged just minutes after coming on. England can’t afford their scrum to fall apart in this second half as replacements enter the fray.
Thomas Ramos goes for the posts from 35 metres, towards the right and he nails it. France lead by 6.
England 7-10 France, 54 mins
18:02
,
Luke Baker
Lovely dink over the top by Jalibert but a lunging Itoje gets a hand to it as he retreats to stop the fly half gathering.
Another kick through then sees Ben Earl retreating and he just gets there ahead of Bielle-Biarrey in the in-goal area.
Willis off and Ben Curry on, so Earl will switch to No 8 now
England 7-10 France, 53 mins
18:00
,
Luke Baker
Scrappy lineout but Itoje just gets it back on England’s side. However France win the penalty! Celebrations from their pack as they know that was a chance for England.
The hosts leave with zero points from that 22 entry. Fin Baxter on for Genge in England’s front row.
England 7-10 France, 51 mins
17:58
,
Luke Baker
Good response by England who win a penalty turnover after good work from Itoje in the ruck. And they kick to the corner. Lineout 10 metres out...
PENALTY! England 7-10 France (Thomas Ramos, 50 mins)
17:57
,
Luke Baker
Fairly central, just outside the 22 and this is bread and butter for Thomas Ramos. No mistake and France lead.
Roumat and Boudehent off for France with Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou coming on.
England 7-7 France, 49 mins
17:56
,
Luke Baker
French penalty advantage as England are caught offside. This one is kickable if France would like.
Dupont tries to tap and go but the referee isn’t ready and he’s called back. So it’s a shot at the posts instead...
England 7-7 France, 47 mins
17:55
,
Luke Baker
Phew! This match is as scrappy as anything but also oddly open and definitely compelling. Weirdly, all the handling errors are coming in phase play - both teams have been impeccable under the high ball.
I wonder if Marcus Smith will be dwelling on that error to take contact just now. England ultimately got away with it but it may be on his mind as this match wears on.
England 7-7 France, 45 mins
17:52
,
Luke Baker
Nice move off the back of the French scrum as Alldritt runs right and makes a few metres. Dupont then tries a dart and is swallowed up.
This is now carnage! England turn the ball over and Marcus Smith breaks down the right. He decides to take contact on halfway rather than kicking to space and has the balled ripped out in contact by Bielle-Biarrey.
Bielle-Biarrey then sprints clear down the left, should probably back his pace down the outside but cuts inside Sleightholme who has hared across in defence, throws the inside pass to the supporting Meafou for the walk-in but he drops it and the ball goes forward!
Freeman then picks up the loose ball and sprint down the flank before kicking ahead. Eventually there’s a break in play but how have France not scored?!
England 7-7 France, 42 mins
17:49
,
Luke Baker
Great hands by France and Barassi slides between tacklers to reach the 22. But again, the hands let France down as Meafou helps the ball on to his second-row partner Roumat who shells it.
There is a constant drizzle so maybe conditions are slicker than I realised from up here in the dry press seats. Certainly the number of French handling errors would suggest so.
Former England head coach Eddie Jones on ITV:
17:47
,
Ciara Fearn
“It’s been a fantastic first-half with continuous play. England will go into half time pretty happy with themselves.
“France have missed a couple of opportunities, so England will have to come out after half-time and play with the same amount of energy.”
KICK-OFF! England 7-7 France
17:46
,
Luke Baker
Underway in the second half as Jalibert kicks long.
Both teams could still win this but this is the exact position England keep squandering over the last year. They’re going to have to prove they can win close games.
HT: England 7-7 France
17:42
,
Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Just as a week ago, England have had to absorb plenty of pressure in that first half, riding the rigours of the French forwards and scrambling well, most of the time, to prevent their backs cutting free. To go in level having had limited ball and territory will please Steve Bothwick - but staying the course has been a persistent problem in the last 12 months. Can they maintain another gutsy defensive effort for longer than they managed in Dublin?
WATCH: First-half highlights as England and France are level
17:39
,
Luke Baker
Just two tries in that first half but here they are
TRY FOR ENGLAND!
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 8, 2025
England are patient and work the ball to Ollie Lawrence who goes over under the sticks!#ITVRugby | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/ubDloHLze3
PURE FRENCH FLAIR!
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 8, 2025
Dupont, Penaud to Bielle-Biarrey - France deservedly take the lead! #ITVRugby | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/uwLCg1LDMU
HALF-TIME! England 7-7 France
17:34
,
Luke Baker
And that’s half-time. A really scrappy opening 40 minutes but a try apiece - both with a slice of luck.
France’s turnover on halfway was fortunate but from there they were clinical, with Bielle-Biarrey latching on to Penaud’s kick for the opening try.
But England hit back. Five metres out with a penalty advantage they went wide where Fin Smith bobbled the ball but it went backwards, Freeman grabbed it, on to Lawrence and over for the score.
All to play for in the second half where England will need to be much better than they have been from minutes 40 to 80 over the past year...
England 7-7 France, 40 mins
17:31
We’re into the red at the end of the half now. England lineout in their own half and they secure it before booting to touch.
England 7-7 France, 38 mins
17:29
,
Luke Baker
Can England score again before half-time? They win a penalty near halfway and kick up to just outside the 22.
But it’s an immediate knock-on!
TRY! England 7-7 France (Ollie Lawrence, 36 mins)
17:27
,
Luke Baker
Scrum is solid and England are within five metres. A couple of surges push them within a metre.
Penalty advantage coming. Still tight with the forwards before they try to go left. FIn Smith fumbles the ball, Freeman picks it up, one more pass on to Ollie Lawrence and he runs in for the score!
Scrappy but it’s determined that the ball went backwards off Smith and Marcus Smith adds the conversion for 7-7. An element of luck but England won’t care!
England 0-7 France, 34 mins
17:25
,
Luke Baker
How do England respond to that blow? Very well.
They surge into the French 22 and even after the turnover, Slade is able to return the kick clear and offload to Freeman who re-enters the 22.
It’s tight down the right but a kick through causes loosehead prop Gros of all people to scramble back and touch the ball down behind his own try-line. Five-metre scrum.
The Twickenham crowd have woken up now and are roaring England on!
TRY! England 0-7 France (Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 31 mins)
17:22
,
Luke Baker
England are desperately claiming offside but not given and France have the try!
It’s really unlucky. England have the ball on halfway and Stuart throws a pass backwards under pressure, where it’s stopped by the foot of Cros about 10 yards behind the breakdown, in he midst of the England players
From there, France counter at pace, they sweep left, Dupont picks up a loose ball and arcs round before an inside pass to Penaud, who puts a gorgeous kick in behind for Louis Bielle-Biarrey to collect and touch down for the try. Perhaps fortunate how they got the ball but so clinical from there. Ramos adds the tricky conversion for 7-0
England 0-0 France, 29 mins
17:19
,
Luke Baker
More lineout woe for England. Cowan-Dickie’s throw just bounces off the hands of his Itoje and France claim it. That was a great platform just outside the 22.
England 0-0 France, 27 mins
17:17
,
Luke Baker
Danger for England as Marcus Smith’s kick clear is blocked and careers back into the 22. Brilliant scrambling from Mitchell to collect the loose ball and just escape two French tacklers, allowing England to exit.
Gros gets over the gain-line with a powerful run but France eventually run out of ideas, the ball goes loose and England have the turnover.
England’s kick-chase has been impressive and it works again. Freeman, Slade and Lawrence close down Ramos on halfway, in comes the cavalry and the turnover is won.
England 0-0 France, 24 mins
17:13
,
Luke Baker
Henry Slade is holding his shoulder. We’ll keep an eye on that.
Another good scrum by England - that part of their game is working well so far - and they boot clear beyond halfway. France dominating possession and territory but yet to score.
England 0-0 France, 23 mins
17:12
,
Luke Baker
Poor lineout from England. They lose the ball as Curry is outjumped and France have a platform in the 22. They go one way, then the other and now it’s Penaud with the drop!
The space opened up in front of him and the prolific winger looked set to score but the ball bounces off him and hits the deck. Not sure I’ve ever seen France’s stars make so many handling errors! It’s cold but not particularly wet here in south-west London.
England 0-0 France, 21 mins
17:10
,
Luke Baker
Would you believe it?! An Antoine Dupont mistake! Maybe he is human, after all...
The speed of the French counter is sublime. Bielle-Biarrey offloads from the floor to Ramos and they’re streaking away down the left. Ramos flings the pass to Dupont but it bounces off his hand and into touch! The try-line may have been at his mercy there - what a huge let-off!
England 0-0 France, 20 mins
17:08
,
Luke Baker
Superb carry from Lawrence barrels England over the gain-line and they’re deep in the French 22 now.
Within five metres, they spread the ball to their left but it’s a turnover! France win the penalty and now they tap and go from their own 22!
England 0-0 France, 19 mins
17:07
,
Luke Baker
Fair to say, this has been scrappy stuff so far. Dare I suggest that England won’t mind that too much though.
Lots of kicking, with varying levels of success from both sides. Good breakdown work by Curry near halfway as he spoils a ruck and France are pinged for holding on.
Can England make something from a lineout just outside the French 22? The crowd noise rises for the first time...
England 0-0 France, 17 mins
17:05
,
Luke Baker
England opt for the scrum, rather than lineout on their own 22 and win the free-kick as France are pinged for too much pressure coming through.
Fin Smith sticks a high bomb up towards halfway and it’s a great kick chase by Slade but he just knocks on as he leaps to contest in the air. Another scrum...
England 0-0 France, 15 mins
17:02
,
Luke Baker
An attempted grubber through is blocked by the foot of Slade and he harries after French players to trap them in their own half. They exit with a long kick but Marcus Smith brings England up to halfway.
However, when the visitors next get the ball, Moefana makes good ground before they go right but Penaud knocks on into touch. Sleightholme gives the French winger a slight nudge, he doesn’t take kindly to it and the pair square up! Nothing really in it though.
MISSED PENALTY! England 0-0 France (Thomas Ramos, 12 mins)
17:00
,
Luke Baker
Well, well, well. The normally impeccable Thomas Ramos errs from the tee.
A long-distance kick but fairly central, however he skews it wide. Let-off for England.
England 0-0 France, 11 mins
16:58
,
Luke Baker
We know all about the might of the French pack but England’s front row look solid and that scrum doesn’t move an inch.
That allows Slade to thump clear towards halfway. France come again and Genge is caught offside, so French penalty 10 metres into the England half. Shot at the posts called...
England 0-0 France, 11 mins
16:58
,
Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
France were a little scratchy in the first 15 minutes against Wales, and have been so again here, a few handling errors understandable in pretty miserable conditions. England will be concerned to have seen both Ben Earl and George Martin have to receive prolonged treatment inside 10 minutes - even with a six/two bench, you feel they’ll need all the forward bodies they have to go as deep as they can.
England 0-0 France, 10 mins
16:56
,
Luke Baker
A couple of phases in the tight for France before they spread the ball right and it’s a lovely dart between tacklers by Ramos into the 22.
But then a great hit by Tom Curry - catches Roumat just as he receives the ball and knocks it loose. Good defensive set by England and they’ll have the scrum in their own 22.
England 0-0 France, 8 mins
16:53
,
Luke Baker
France sticking to their typical long, rather than contestable, kick strategy but England holding their own in the kicking battles so far. Bielle-Biarrey contacted in the air as he jumps for a catch and France kick the penalty into England’s half.
They’ll have a platform to build now
England 0-0 France, 6 mins
16:51
,
Luke Baker
Chance for France down the left as they attack with pace but Bielle-Biarrey just knocks on as they approach the 22.
Another scrum and England’s front row just about holds. French caught offside, penalty to England but Marcus Smith misses touch with a long kick. Poor
England 0-0 France, 4 mins
16:49
,
Luke Baker
First scrum of the day - how will England’s forwards hold up against the might of the French pack?
We have a reset (what else is new...) and France win with the put-in. Probably can’t tell too much from that.
Dupont runs a play off 9 and tries a cross-field kick but it bounces into touch on the 22. England’s lineout is solid and they can exit.
England 0-0 France, 2 mins
16:47
,
Luke Baker
Not the best start for Fin Smith as he sees a kick through charged down but England recover possession.
A first chance for Marcus Smith to run from full back and it’s a neat offload but France turn the ball over on halfway,
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 France
16:45
,
Luke Baker
And we’re underway at Allianz Stadium. Fin Smith kicks into the evening Twickenham sky!