Six months before the next World Cup, the two selections are really on two different planets.

One affirms its status as a candidate for the title, while the other is very far from it and must rebuild everything.

"I think we have a little trouble realizing it," immediately recognized Antoine Dupont.

With seven tries from Thomas Ramos (2nd), Thibaud Flament (26th, 58th), Charles Ollivon (40th, 60th) and Damian Penaud (72nd, 75th), the Blues of Fabien Galthié have indeed erased a record co-held by the matches of 1972 (37-12) and 2006 (31-6).

Each time in France.

They also overshadow the 37 points scored in 1972 in Colombes during the Five Nations Tournament (37-12) and inflicted on the English their third biggest defeat in history, but the heaviest at home.

Better, they keep alive their dreams of a new title in the Tournament, after the Grand Slam of 2022, while awaiting the result of the shock between Ireland and Scotland, Sunday in Edinburgh.

The joy of the XV of France winner of England at Twickenham, March 11, 2023 © Glyn KIRK / AFP

Everything will therefore be played in a three-way and distance duel on the 5th day: Scotland-Italy, France-Wales and Ireland-England.

Ireland (15 points and two matches to play), France (15 points, one match to play) and Scotland (10 points and two matches to play) are thus competing for a last title six months before the World Cup in France (September 8-October 28).

In the meantime, Fabien Galthié has become the first French coach to win in London in the Tournament since Bernard Laporte: since the victory (18-17) in 2005, Marc Lievremont, Philippe Saint-André, Guy Novès and Jacques Brunel have their teeth were in turn broken in the temple of English rugby.

England scrum half Antoine Dupont against England, March 11, 2023 at Twickenham © Adrian DENNIS / AFP

Galthié himself had returned empty-handed from his first two visits to Twickenham: 22-19 after extra time with a largely overhauled team in 2020 in the short-lived Autumn Cup of Nations then 23-20 the following year in the Tournament of Six nations.

English K.-O.

His troops have now won wherever they have gone: the Blues have won in Wales (2020, first victory since 2010), Ireland (in 2021, first victory since 2011), Australia (2021, first victory since 1990), in Scotland (in 2022, first victory since 2014) before dominating the legendary All Blacks (2021, first victory since 2009) and the South African world champions (2022, first victory" since 2009).

They thus broke the English lock which had resisted them since 2007. And even 2005 in the Tournament.

French winger Damian Penaud runs on trial against England on March 11, 2023 at Twickenham © Glyn KIRK / AFP

All thanks to a fanfare start: the Blues thus led 10-0 after 7 minutes of play thanks to Thomas Ramos after a try (2nd), a conversion (3rd) and a penalty (7th) on the clock.

Thibaud Flament (26th) and Charles Ollivon (40th) then gave a 24-point lead at the break, erasing another record dating back more than forty years (18 points difference at half-time in 1981).

Even the usual air hole of the Blues, sanctioned by a test, refused to Max Malins (47th) but validated for Freddie Steward (48th), did not change anything.

The second line of Toulouse (57th) and the third line of Toulon (60th) have indeed added a try each, synonymous with a double double, and a rout for a sluggish XV of the Rose.

And winger Damian Penaud (73rd, 75th) took care of driving the point home and letting the local supporters go home earlier, looking down.

French opener Romain Ntamack ball in hand against England, March 11, 2023 at Twickenham © Adrian DENNIS / AFP

Totally in control, the Habs did not, however, suddenly extinguish the doubts after the sluggish victories against Italy (29-24) and Scotland (32-21) or the setback in Ireland (32-19) .

But they won the twelfth French success in England in 117 years while putting Steve Borthwick's men in front of their shortcomings with this record of points conceded at home.

© 2023 AFP