RBS Six Nations 2007
ENGLAND v FRANCE
Match Review by Ed Budge

The fountain of youth spewed forth on Sunday, as England recorded a 26-18 victory over France at Twickenham to make an unlikely advance up the Six Nations table, drawing level with their defeated opponents and Ireland on 6 points.

The visitors started the afternoon in more promising fashion. Alongside a penalty apiece for David Skrela and Toby Flood, the opening minutes posed the threat of a Blue tide washing over the stadium. Clement Poitrenaud launched a counter-attack after Mike Tindall lost the ball in contact for the second time, and minutes later Raphael Ibanez knocked on just inches from the try-line following a superb and desperate tackle from Joe Worlsey. Skrela, however, restored France 's advantage after England 's attempts to clear were compromised by some stray Martin Corry boots at a ruck.

A further penalty from Skrela opened up a six-point lead after 25 minutes, but then for the second time, a loose kick from Dmitri Yachvilli was gathered exquisitely by David Strettle who proceeded to beat a handful of defenders in a run that proved a trademark of only his second cap. With Tindall and Tom Rees in support, England were able to set up the position for another penalty, which Flood put comfortably away. It was just reward for the increased tempo that Brian Ashton's side were applying to the game, thanks largely to the growing confidence of Flood, and Rees' support play, which was nothing short of superb for the entire match.

Further pressure from the French lead to another penalty, taken this time by Yachvilli with Skrela's ankle still troubling him after an earlier tackle by Tom Palmer. The lazy swing of Yachvilli's left foot brought back memories of 2005, where the scrum-half produced a flawless kicking display to steal victory, and he converted once again to re-establish the six-point gap, which England halved immediately after Sebastian Chabal was pinged for holding on from the re-start. Despite leading at the break, the French's tackle count, and the strength of England 's mauling play, were to prove a problem for France later on.

It proved a problem almost immediately in fact. With 5 minutes of the half elapsed, Nick Easter came through with possession following a defensive French line-out just 5 metres out. The visiting team held out for several phases with some monstrous tackling that forced England back to the 22, but eventually Mike Catt found himself aligned with Raphael Ibanez in the backline and the captain rounded him with ease before bouncing off the tackle of Poitrenaud and feeding Flood who went in under the posts. Converting his own try was Flood's final significant act of a tremendous first start for his country. Shane Geraghty replaced the Newcastle man on the hour mark, after Yachvilli had helped France to regain the lead by caressing another two ominous-looking kicks through the posts.

Geraghty could hardly have picked a better time to introduce himself to International rugby, as the pack in front of him began to dominate more and more. It was a far cry from Croke Park when the Red Rose eight spent less time convincingly on the front foot than Marcus Trescothick. After only a few minutes Geraghty produced a divine offload to Palmer, from whom the honey continued to drip as he released his club-mate Worsley down the touchline. Worsley's ball-carrying has come on in leaps and bounds of late, helping him to become England 's most consistent forward this season. In keeping with the newfound pace of England's attack, Strettle broke away and carried almost all the way to the line when then ball was immediately switched right. The French defence buckled on the retreat allowing Geraghty to notch up his first International points with a simple penalty.

The Exiles' fly-half was hardly finished there either. Picking up a ball in his own half, he glided past 2 would-be tacklers and, seeing the space ahead, raced towards the line. Ultimately brought down by the lightning pace of Vincent Clerc, he offloaded to Catt, who failed to hold on, but the ball dropped into the grateful arms of Tindall who barged (or flopped, depending on your interpretation) over the line to complete the scoring and give England a deserved victory. Between Flood and Geraghty, that was the most exciting show of outside-half play England have seen in a long while.

From a personal standpoint, I have a lot to say with regard to selection in light of this, the best England performance in over a year. Firstly, I owe an apology to Julian White, who seemed to be everywhere, and didn't drop a ball in 80 minutes! Another one goes to Tim Payne, who matched Pieter de Villiers shove for shove at the coalface. Thirdly to Martin Corry (amazing, isn't it? I think I'm drunk) who, alongside Palmer, worked with ankle-biting and rib-bruising tenacity around the fringes, not giving the French any momentum. I maintain that the Tigers' captain does not provide a sufficient option in the line-out to play in the second row, but he put I an admirable performance.

But conversely, I will say this to Mr Ashton, drowned out by my innumerable and equally vociferous cohorts: I told you so! Ha, ha, ha! Youth, pace and adventure has reaped its reward. Rees, who was supposedly too inexperienced, was Man of the Match; Palmer, deemed too light to be part of an English packed consigned by reputation to be bruising and intimidating and little else, won line-outs from both sides and raced around the pitch; Strettle, winning only his second cap, was a constant threat and proved that “the players of the future” are the players of now if they're good enough. As for Flood and Geraghty, well what can I say? Admittedly playing behind a dominant pack, the youngsters showed what can be done with a little pace and adventure. Did Flood crumble after missing a kick? Did Geraghty go into his shell after taking a heavy tackle? I think not. Experience be damned!

A week ago, the thought of England winning the Six Nations Championship was laughable. This week, it remains the consequence of a points-difference miracle, but it is at least a possibility. In a way I almost wish that England had a tougher challenge than a hapless Wales on St Patrick's Day, and a chance to show what they are truly made of. Nevertheless, the team are still faced with the task of recording their first away win outside of Rome since 2004, but today's news that Mike Tindall will be unavailable gives the team further chance for progress. Trust the young guns, Brian. Please?

England 26 (9)
Tries: Flood, Tindall
Pens: Flood 3, Geraghty
Cons: Flood, Geraghty

France 18 (12)
Pens: Skrela 3, Yachvili 3

England: Lewsey; Strettle, Tindall, Catt (capt), Robinson; Flood, Ellis; Payne, Chuter, White, Corry, Palmer, Worsley, Rees, Easter.
Replacements: Mears, Turner, Deacon, Lund, Perry, Geraghty, Tait.

France: Poitrenaud; Clerc , Marty, Jauzion, Dominici; Skrela, Yachvili; Milloud, Ibanez (capt), De Villiers, Nallet, Thion, Betsen, Bonnaire, Chabal.
Replacements: Mas, Bruno, Pape, Harinordoquy, Mignoni, Beauxis, Heymans.