6 Nations

Marcus Smith's introduction to the starting XV couldn't inspire England to a result against France, who secured their first Six Nations win at Twickenham ...

That applied the finishing touches to England's biggest home loss in history (or Five and Four Nations, for that matter), highlighting a dire need for changes ahead of this year's "We played the way we wanted to play. That try illustrated the gulf in impetus between the two teams, with England lacking the alertness and physicality of their guests. It shows we're on the right path." France flexed their ingenuity for Ollivon's brace in particular, the back-rower nonchalantly reaching over England's ruck to dot down following Ramos' all-too-simple break and chip deep into enemy territory. "We got exposed today," he told Stand-in fly-half Smith briefly narrowed the lead with a paltry penalty soon after, only for France to hit back before the break. We probably have to be better in the contact area which is on the forwards." The Red Rose showed signs of blooming in an improved second half but was left with too much to do after heading in at the break 27-3 down. [Bristol](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/bristol-rugby)'s [Ellis Genge](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/ellis-genge) said he 'wouldn't sugar coat' his analysis after standing in as captain for the absent Farrell, praising the "brilliant" Bleus while adding England "are way off where we want to be." Charles Ollivon, Thibaud Flament and Damian Penaud each scored two tries apiece as Les Bleus banked their first Six Nations win at Headquarters since 2005. [Steve Borthwick](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/steve-borthwick)'s [England](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/england-rugby-union-team) revolution stalled at Twickenham on Saturday after [France](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/france-rugby-union-team) flew to a record-breaking 53-10 [Six Nations](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/six-nations) win in hostile territory.

Wales scored four tries in a 29-17 win over Italy in Rome, climbing off the bottom of the Six Nations table at the hosts' expense.

Having ended a run of 36 games without a Six Nations win at the end of last season in the Welsh capital, Crowley’s team were hoping to triumph at home for the first time since 2013. For the first time since he returned as head coach at the start of the year, Gatland saw his players properly fired up, sticking to and executing the gameplan and looking more like a Gatland-coached side. The referee, Damon Murphy, not only ordered a penalty try, but also showed Cannone a yellow card. Liam Williams weaved his way to the line, bouncing off five defenders and then a decision by Wales captain Ken Owens to kick to the corner rather than taking three points delivered in spades. The crowd belted out the anthem to show their levels of expectation, but the early response simply wasn’t there on a wonderfully warm day at the Stadio Olimpico. Badgered by his four children to explain “Why are you No 21 Daddy, not No 9 any more?” he ensured they are more likely to be seeing him wearing single digits for the rest of this year, rather than a replacements jersey.

France player ratings: No matter what the fortunes of either side going into it, England-France in the Guinness Six Nations is always a...

Monstered [Ellis Genge](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ellis-genge/) on 40 minutes which directly lead to Ollivon’s try. Sipili Faletea’s star turn two weekends ago wasn’t quite followed up here, with Genge getting into him at the setpiece. No quarter was shown to the English at the breakdown and the La Rochelle man won pretty much every moment in which he was involved. Did brilliantly at the less glamourous stuff, pouncing on a loose ball that had questionably popped out of an English ruck saving France’s jambon with English moving ominously towards their try line. Made a telling open-field contribution for France’s first try and got one of his own after accelerating onto a fine Dupont pop pass close to the English line. Latched onto Lewis Ludlum for a timely jackal that led to an attacking lineout for France. Used as an effective carry option twice in the opening three minutes. So effortlessly cool that he looks bored most of time. Bar one shanked effort, he kicked well with ball in hand. No box office moments this week even if his mere presence seemed to unnerve a feverish English midfield, who were suffering the effect of severe ball starvation. Showed his mettle in the frequent high-stakes kicking battles that littered the first half. Worryingly bad from England and frightening good at times from France.

Steve Borthwick's men trailed 27-3 at half-time – their highest interval deficit at Twickenham in any fixture.

England needed to act quickly and hope appeared to have arrived when Smith delivered a terrific kick on the run for Max Malins but the wing knocked-on over the line. And there was more misfortune when Smith was driven over his line by Dupont as he covered for a kick and Ollivon touched down when he let go of the ball before two late tries by wing Penaud drove the final nail into England’s coffin. Ramos added a penalty to reward another Les Bleus attack and with only 10 minutes on the clock it was already looking bleak for the hosts.

England endured their biggest ever home defeat as France scored seven tries in a 53-10 thrashing.

France put in a masterclass of a performance as they hammered England 53-10 in a record-breaking showing in the Six Nations on Saturday.

[England](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/england)‘s only crossing of the evening as this was a chastening defeat that will no doubt sting Steve Borthwick and his players. Flament was exceptional, Ramos phenomenonal, Fickou and Danty perfect, Dupont was Dupont. France absolutely and totally dominant. Flament crossed in the 26th minute but it was too easy for the lock as passive England were overpowered in contact. Antoine Dupont grew in influence as he weaved his magic around the ruck but it was the power of forwards François Cros and Flament that did the damage for the next try. [France](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/france) who raced out of the blocks and when lock Paul Willemse offloaded out of the tackle they were away, with Ethan Dumortier sending Ramos over in the left corner.