England clinched a heart-stopping 26-25 victory over France in the Six Nations, thanks to a last-minute try by Elliot Daly. The match, held at the electric Allianz Stadium, was a rollercoaster of emotions and pivotal moments.

Key Highlights

• Fin Smith's Debut: Making his first start at fly-half, Smith displayed remarkable composure, converting Daly's crucial try.
• Lead Swings: The lead changed hands three times in the final 10 minutes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
• Daly's Decisive Moment: On the penultimate play, Fin Smith's precise pass allowed Daly to break through and score, despite France's desperate defense.

Match Recap

England initially struggled, especially after an opening-round loss to Ireland. However, they found their rhythm in this match. Replacement prop Fin Baxter's try momentarily gave England a narrow lead, which was quickly countered by France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The game seemed to be slipping away from England until Daly's intervention.

Looking Ahead

This victory keeps England's Six Nations title hopes alive. They now prepare for a crucial encounter against Scotland in two weeks, aiming to reclaim the Calcutta Cup and solidify their chances for their first title since 2020.

Team Lineups

England: M Smith; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Martin, T Curry, Earl, Willis Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, B Curry, Randall, Daly

France: Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio, Roumat, Meafou, Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Colombe, Auradou, Guillard, Jegou, Le Garrec, Gailleton

This match was not just a win but a testament to England's resilience and their ability to perform under pressure.