France 24-17 England
Date:
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Attendance: 79,310
France v England Match Reports
A new look France put in an impressive display to beat England 24-17 in Paris. France started the match with great intensity and tries from Vincent Rattez and Charles Ollivon saw them leading 17-0 at half-time. After the break, Ollivon scored his side's third try before England finally sparked to life. Two tries from Jonny May gave the visitors hope but, despite a heroic effort, England failed to overhaul the deficit. A selection of match reports is listed below:
- Six Nations Guide: May masterclass in vain as England fall to Six Nations defeat in France
- BBC: England lose Six Nations opener in France
- Guardian: France onslaught leaves England licking their wounds in Six Nations opener
- Daily Mail: Eddie Jones' men overpowered in Six Nations opener, falling to Vincent Rattez score and Charles Ollivon brace despite one-man fightback from Jonny May
- Sky Sports: Les Bleus storm to Six Nations win
- ESPN: France's fast start too much for England to overcome
France v England - Match Highlights
France v England - Match Stats
France: (17) 24
Try: Rattez (6'), Ollivon (20', 55')
Conversion: Ntamack (7', 21', 56')
Penalty: Ntamack (16')
England: (0) 17
Try: May (57', 65')
Conversion: Farrell (58', 65')
Penalty: Farrell (81'+1)
Man of the Match: Gregory Alldritt (France)
France v England - Team Line-ups
France Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1 Cyril Baille
- 2 Julien Marchand
- 3 Mohamed Haouas
- 4 Bernard Le Roux
- 5 Paul Willemse
- 6 Francois Cros
- 7 Charles Ollivon (Captain)
- 8 Gregory Alldritt
Backs
- 9 Anthony Dupont
- 10 Romain Ntamack
- 11 Vincent Rattez
- 12 Gael Fickou
- 13 Virimi Vakatawa
- 14 Teddy Thomas
- 15 Anthony Bouthier
Replacements
- 16 Peato Mauvaka
- 17 Jefferson Poirot
- 18 Demba Bamba
- 19 Boris Palu
- 20 Cameron Woki
- 21 Baptiste Serin
- 22 Matthieu Jalibert
- 23 Arthur Vincent
England Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1 Joe Marler
- 2 Jamie George
- 3 Kyle Sinckler
- 4 Maro Itoje
- 5 Charlie Ewels
- 6 Courtney Lawes
- 7 Sam Underhill
- 8 Tom Curry
Backs
- 9 Ben Youngs
- 10 George Ford
- 11 Elliot Daly
- 12 Owen Farrell (Captain)
- 13 Manu Tuilagi
- 14 Jonny May
- 15 George Furbank
Replacements
- 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
- 17 Ellis Genge
- 18 Will Stuart
- 19 George Kruis
- 20 Lewis Ludlam
- 21 Willi Heinz
- 22 Ollie Devoto
- 23 Jonathan Joseph