Saint-Denis (AFP)
England, the reigning vice-world champion, won the Six Nations Tournament on Saturday night, for the first time since 2017, after the French won over the Irish (35-27) on Saturday near Paris.
The XV de la Rose had done what was necessary to ensure almost its success by winning a little earlier in the day in Rome against the modest Italian selection (34-5) with the bonus to the key.
The beautiful victory of the French (18 points, +28), with four tries, put the Irish out of the race but is insufficient to deprive England (18 points, +44) of their 39th coronation in the Tournament, all periods combined.
The English have recovered well from their inaugural defeat at the Stade de France to win.
For the first match since March, they were able to take the measure of the Italians, good last but who nevertheless caused them problems in the first period.
"I really appreciated the team's response in the second half. In the first half, we got lost for 20 minutes. Maybe we got distracted by the pressure on the scoreboard, by some reactions from the opposing team and some difficulties with the referee (...) I think our second half was really exceptional, "said England coach Eddy Jones.
Its players finished the Tournament with four wins in five matches.
Scotland (13-6), Ireland (24-12), Wales (33-30) and Italy have therefore broken their teeth on the cold pragmatism of Jones' men.
Almost a year after their defeat in the 2019 World Cup final in Japan, against South Africa (32-12), Owen Farrell's teammates have confirmed their strength.
Efficient, if not brilliant.
© 2020 AFP