Ollivon double helps France beat England
Paris, France - Captain Charles Ollivon scored two tries as France kicked off a new era under recently-appointed coach Fabien Galthie with a thrilling 24-17 victory over England in their opening 2020 Six Nations match on Sunday.
Galthie took over full-time in the wake of France's quarterfinal exit at last season's World Cup in Japan and looks to have thoroughly revived the France XV, featuring just one player over the age of 30.
Two first-half tries by Vincent Rattez and Ollivon, along with two conversions and a penalty from Romain Ntamack handed the home side, powered magnificently around the pitch by scrum-half Antoine Dupont, a 17-0 half-time lead.
A second converted Ollivon try extended France's lead but World Cup runners-up England hit back with a Jonny May brace of tries both converted by Owen Farrell. There was a buzz around Stade de France not felt for some time and the expectant crowd were soon rewarded after a ferocious start.
England, however, will have little time to lick their wounds, with a tight six-day turnaround before going to Edinburgh to take on Scotland, defeated 19-12 by Ireland in their opener.
Earlier on Saturday, Wales’ Josh Adams scored a hat-trick of tries to help the Six Nations champions launch their title defence with a 42-0 hammering of Italy in Cardiff on Saturday. Not since Maurice Richards crossed four times against England back in 1969 had a Wales player scored three or more tries in a home Five or Six Nations fixture.