Rugby: Rugby-Worst defensive performance for years – France assistant coach Edwards

LYON, France (Reuters) – France assistant coach Shaun Edwards said his team’s defensive display in their last-gasp 33-31 victory over England on Saturday was the worst of his four years in the job.

Thomas Ramos’s last-minute penalty from the halfway line secured the victory after England had looked to have snatched it with their fourth try by Tommy Freeman a minute earlier.

The result left France second in the standings on 15 points, behind champions Ireland, who beat them in the opening game of the tournament, on 20, with England third on 14.

“I was very disappointed with our defence, I thought England’s attack was all over us, particularly in our midfield,” Edwards said.

“We have a lot of work to do, we shouldn’t have to score 30 points to win a game, even if it’s exciting. On the field we were just missing tackles, not being aggressive enough.

“There are a lot of tries being scored in modern-day rugby, but I thought today our defence was probably the worst performance we have had since I have been here.

“But our attack was fantastic, especially our maul, and the future is good.”

It was a fluctuating game with France making most of the early running before England surged back with two tries by centre Ollie Lawrence either side of halftime.

They thought they had done enough for a first win in Paris since 2016 when Freeman scored, only for Ramos to secure the victory for France.

“I am really disappointed for the players, they worked so hard, and for the supporters who were magnificent,” England coach Steve Borthwick said.

“I am immensely proud, you can see how the shirt is getting lighter,” he added, after saying ahead of last week’s win over Ireland that the England shirt weighed heavy on some players.

“Sometimes you have to stay in the fight and we saw that. If we had one more opportunity we could have got that score. With that kind of intensity, we never lose, we just run out of time.

“We have shown in the last two weeks we are competing with the top four teams again but we don’t want to just compete, we want to win and this is a step in the right direction.”

England captain Jamie George was devastated.

“It’s reminiscent of the last time in France against South Africa,” he said, referring to last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat.

“France showed their class, but we found a way back into the game. I am really proud of the boys, it was a great effort. This is a team on an upward curve,” George added.

“The endeavour to go out there, have a crack and play with a smile on our faces, I thought the boys did that. I have loved the last seven weeks.”

(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed Osmond)