Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FRANCE ENGLAND PUTDOWN
get to us.” Not since 1988 had England been held scoreless in the first half of a championship match.
Up on the TV gantry, former captain Martin Johnson said: “They have done everything you don’t want to do in Paris”.
It was their fourth biggest firsthalf deficit in 479 championship games, their largest since 2004. Still, there was hope given the way
France blew a 16-0 lead at home to Wales in their Six Nations opener a year ago. Yet this seemed different.
Since Fabien Galthie’s arrival as head coach, and his inspired recruitment of Edwards, a new mood of hope has been created this side of the Channel, reflected in a febrile atmosphere in the stadium.
“France usually have a very casual defence,” said Joe Marler. “Here, they had hard lines coming at us, pressurising us, taking away our time and space. It was very Shaun Edwards-esque. And we didn’t adapt quick enough.” Jonny May, at fault for France’s second try when not playing to the whistle, scored two dazzling late solo tries (centre and right, below) to allow England to escape with a losing bonus point. But that papered over the cracks.
While France’s young guns fronted up superbly, England’s more experienced stars faded. Maro Itoje spilled a try chance, team captain Farrell was a pale imitation of his usual self.
With Jamie George also below par, it begged the question how much the salary cap scandal has affected the Saracens contingent. On this showing, quite a bit.