England beat France in extra time at Twickenham
Owen Farrell kicked a sudden death penalty to beat France 22-19 at Twickenham and win the Autumn Nations Cup.
It was a tentative start in the final Quilter International of 2020 at Twickenham, where stern defence in the shape of Billy Vunipola and smart tactical kicking from Elliot Daly and Jonny May gave the home side early ascendancy.
Owen Farrell bagged England’s first points on the eight minute mark, slotting a penalty after a dominant showing from Ellis Genge at scrum time.
But France responded on their next visit to England’s 22, courtesy of a Brice Dulin try. The easiest of finishes for the full back, who collected the pass of Matthieu Jalibert after the fly half ghosted through England’s backline.
As half time approached Daly successfully drilled a three pointer from 46 metres out, but Jalibert was on hand to nudge two close range efforts to extend the visitor’s lead to seven, and despite 12 phases of continuously battering the French line from a few metres out, England could not muscle over.
Eddie Jones’ men started the second half brightly, peppering the French with high balls, and returning the resulting clearances with hard running into the midfield. It was the catalyst behind their next points, as Les Bleus were judged offside, and Farrell duly converted the penalty.
England boasted the best scrum and lineout success rates in the Autumn Nations Cup heading into the final, but struggled aerially when given the opportunity deep in French territory.
Replacement Louis Carbonel extended France's lead to seven points with 10 minutes to play. Farrell hit back moments later with his ninth point of the game, but Carbonel grabbed another penalty to make it 12-19.
It went down to the wire in the final minute as replacement hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie powered over the try line off the back of a five-metre rolling maul, and Farrell's successful extras tied the game at 19-19 to force extra time sudden death.
Extra time
First half - Replacement Sekou Macalou gave away a penalty just one minute into sudden death, but Farrell, having struggled with the boot all afternoon hit the right post. Stubborn defence from both sides saw it stay level.
Second half - England forced a penalty in the fourth minute, and Farrell threaded the touchline penalty through the sticks to secure the win, and the Autumn Nations Cup.
England have now won 15 of their last 17 Tests, as well as their last eight games against France at Twickenham.
TEAMS
England Men
15. Elliot Daly, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Owen Farrell (c), 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Joe Launchbury, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Billy Vunipola.
Finishers
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Jonny Hill, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Max Malins, 23. Joe Marchant.
France
15. Brice Dulin, 14. Alivereti Raka, 13. Jonathan Danty, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Gabin Villiere, 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Baptiste Couilloud (c), 8. Selevasio Tolofua, 7. Anthony Jelonch, 6. Cameron Woki, 5. Baptiste Pesenti, 4. Killian Geraci, 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 2. Pierre Bourgarit, 1. Hassane Kolingar.
Replacements
16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Uini Atonio, 19. Guillaume Ducat, 20. Sekou Macalou, 21. Sebastien Bezy, 22. Louis Carbonel, 23. Jean Pascal Barraque.
Autumn Nations Cup results
England 40-0 Georgia
England 18-7 Ireland
Wales 13-24 England
England 22-19 France
