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Associated Press

France dazzled in defeating Ireland 35-27 with a bonus point on Saturday but it wasn’t enough to prevent England from winning the much-delayed Six Nations Championship.
England’s earlier 34-5 bonus-point win in Italy cranked up the pressure on trophy rivals France and Ireland, and neither could answer.
Ireland would have grabbed the title with a victory by six points, while France needed to win by an unlikely 31 points with a bonus point.
Neither scenario happened, and Eddie Jones’ England celebrated from afar after last winning the title in 2017.

“The team did what they had to do,” France coach Fabien Galthie said. “It was a challenge to take first place but we’re happy to be second.”
That’s really because since France reached and narrowly lost the 2011 Rugby World Cup final to hosts New Zealand, the team had been at the wrong end of the table fighting against the wooden spoon in a near-decade of drudgery.
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“Two years ago we could never have dreamed of being in this position,” back-rower Gregory Alldritt said. Last year, France were fourth with only two wins.
But France, rejuvenated under a new coach, beat England and finished the campaign tied with England on points, losing out on points difference.

The pity was no fans were allowed at Stade de France to witness an exciting game with some old French flair among their five tries.
Scrum-half Antoine Dupont, fly-half Romain Ntamack and centre Virimi Vakatawa stood out as the backline caused problems all night, with a deserved penalty try added to the mix.
France’s opening try came out of nothing.
Full-back Anthony Bouthier shrugged off Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton, and wing Gael Fickou had to stop to pick up a dropped pass inside his half. He stood up prop Andrew Porter, slipped another defender, drew the last one and fed Dupont inside for a converted try.

Moments later, Bouthier was sin-binned for a deliberately knocking the ball out as Ireland winger Hugo Keenan overran a bouncing ball in the left corner.
Ireland used the man advantage to patiently work prop Cian Healy over in his 100th test. Ireland led 10-7 but not for long.
Vakatawa’s flick on, Vincent Rattez’s grubber and Ireland full-back Jacob Stockdale’s fumble saw flanker Francois Cros kick ahead and definitely score if he hadn’t been dragged down by opposite Caelan Doris, who was sin-binned. France received the penalty try.
France held on to lead 17-13 into half-time and scored first again when Dupont collected Fickou’s clever kick and offloaded superbly to give Ntamack a try.
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Ntamack landed two penalties for 28-13 and inch France closer to contention for the title on points differential.
But Irish centre Robbie Henshaw broke three sloppy tackles to gallop over to quash French hopes.
They finished in more style, though, when Ntamack chipped and gathered and set up Vakatawa between the posts.
In injury time, Stockdale gave Ireland the last converted try but it didn’t ease the pain of the title being ripped from their grasp by the fabulous French.


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Six Nations Championship

Six Nations: France dazzle against Ireland but England win delayed championship with Italy blowout

England’s Ben Youngs breaks free of the Italian defence as England claim the delayed Six Nations title. Photo: AP

epaselect epa08790021 France's François Cros (C) reacts as he is tackled by Ireland’s Caelan Doris (L) prior scoring a try during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Ireland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France, 31 October 2020. EPA-EFE/Julien De Rosa

France's team players celebrate after winning at the end of the Six Nations rugby union tournament match between France and Ireland at the stade de France, in Saint Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 31, 2020. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

England's George Furbank, left, and Italy's Paolo Garbisi grapple for a loose ball during the Six Nations rugby union international match between Italy and England at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Record-breaking All Blacks retain Bledisloe Cup for the 18th straight year after demolishing Australia in third test

New Zealand captain Sam Cane (centre) and teammates celebrate with the Bledisloe Cup after beating Australia. Photo: AP

epa08787707 Noah Lolesio of the Wallabies celebrates after scoring a try during the third Bledisloe Cup Rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 31 October 2020. EPA-EFE/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa08787525 The All Blacks celebrate Karl Tu'inukuafe's opening try during the third Bledisloe Cup Rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 31 October 2020. EPA-EFE/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa08787618 Richie Mo'unga of the All Blacks during the third Bledisloe Cup Rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 31 October 2020. EPA-EFE/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa08787542 Karl Tu'inukuafe of the All Blacks (front) pushes through Allan Alaalatoa (back) of the Wallabies to score the opening try during the third Bledisloe Cup Rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 31 October 2020. EPA-EFE/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa08787619 Richie Mo'unga of the All Blacks during the third Bledisloe Cup Rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 31 October 2020. EPA-EFE/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Six Nations: Eddie Jones declares England will improve against Wales after downing Ireland

Ireland’s Bundee Aki (right) tackles England’s Jamie George (centre) during their Six Nations match at Twickenham. Photo: EPA

Sport

Rugby

International Rugby


England’s 34-5 bonus-point win in Italy cranked up the pressure on trophy rivals France and Ireland, and neither could answer



England’s 34-5 bonus-point win in Italy cranked up the pressure on trophy rivals France and Ireland, and neither could answer.
