England edges France in Six Nations opener

England overcame a poor first half to grind down France for a 19-16 victory to open the defense of its Six Nations title on Saturday, setting a national record of 15 successive victories in the process.

England was lucky to be level at 9-9 at halftime and France would have been frustrated that its livelier showing failed to produce a try in the opening 40 minutes.

England was transformed after the break but, after edging ahead with another Owen Farrell penalty, a rare French foray produced the first try of the game for replacement prop Rabah Slimani after an hour.

England’s replacements then poured on to bring a new energy, with one of them, center Ben Te’o, scoring the decisive try which Farrell converted to restore the lead with 10 minutes to go.

The current side had shared the record of 14 successive victories with Clive Woodward’s team in 2002-03.

Earlier on Saturday, Scotland hung on to beat Ireland 27-22 in a pulsating match at Murrayfield and secure its first opening day win in the Six Nations for over a decade.

Two late penalties from captain Greig Laidlaw snatched a victory for the Scots that was founded on a dazzling first-half display which pushed the hosts into a 21-8 lead at the break.

Fullback Stuart Hogg, the player of last year’s tournament, scored Scotland’s first two tries and center Alex Dunbar dotted down for an unconventional third in a set move from a lineout.

Ireland winger Keith Earls crossed for Ireland in the opening period while lock Iain Henderson and flyhalf Paddy Jackson, a late replacement for Johnny Sexton, bagged tries in Ireland’s second-half fightback which earned it a losing bonus point.