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Ireland win 2018 Six Nations as England fall in France
By Online Editors
Ireland are the 2018 Six Nations Champions as England were handed their second defeat of the tournament at the hands of France in the Stade de France.
France won what was at times a turgid affair in the French capital 22-16, with England's chances disintegrating following an Anthony Watson high tackle that saw the French awarded a penalty try by referee Jaco Peyper.
England fought back in the 74th minute with a try from Jonny May, but a French penalty in the 77th minute seeled it for Jacque Brunel's side.
A last-minute fightback by England ultimately floundered with a knock on at the try line.
The loss meant Ireland have won the Championship and head to Twickenham next weekend with the prospect of wrapping up a Grand Slam against an England team low on confidence but with a huge point to make.
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Latest Comments
Agreed. Borthwick will have to write a new excuse book soon .
I have looked at the two world cup final teams from 2003 and 2020.
2003 team scored 187 tries between them in 389 caps
2020 team scored 113 tries between them in 473 caps. As you can see a huge disparity in scoring rate. Only Johnny May with 36 tries in 78 caps scored a higher amount of tries. Elliot Daly comes close but the rest are frankly very poor.
Farrell and Ford scored a pathetic 20 tries between them in a combined 210 caps.
There again , the 2003 team did have Wilko and Greenwood etc whereas 2020 team had Ford and Farrell .
So much people saying that Fords strength is of bringing others into the game .
Really. The figures totally disprove that notion .
It has been mentioned elsewhere that we have accepted mediocrity far too often and the figures would indicate that players are or have been picked far too often without performing .
Go to commentsNot disputing that NZ are ahead of Eng. Also not saying Eng are unlucky (though clearly the tone of the article is not that the ABs were unlucky but that they 'should have' won). Your team are looking great and are on the up. I just felt that Pundits have argued Eng 'should have' won the first test against the ABs, when it's more nuanced than that, and very fine margins determine results that Eng didn't get right. Same applies, therefore, to NZ and other nations. Ben Smith though doesn't seem to see it that way. To be clear: I'm not saying I agree with the 'should haves', but more that I take issue with the phrasing.
Good to see your respect for other nations is so strong! Proper rugby fan you are!!!
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