England finally cut loose in Paris
England produced their best performance of the 2012 Six Nations to claim a 24-22 victory over France, in a classic test match at the Stade de France. Stuart Lancaster's side threw the shackles off and showed they can create and finish scoring chances. It was France's first home defeat in 10 games, and the first time England had won three away games in the Six Nations. Here are my key points from the game:
Tom Croft
The Leicester blind-side had his best game in an England shirt, as he rediscovered the form that made him a standout performer on the 2009 British Lions tour. At the lineout he was colossal, he soared high into the Paris sky providing England with a platform and disrupted the usually faultless Imanol Harinordoquy and Julien Bonnaire.
In defence he made some crucial tackles, the most vital coming in the second half when Harinordoquy found himself in space down the line, but Croft was on hand to nullify the threat. He worked tirelessly all game in defence and at the breakdown.
But his most telling contribution came in loose. 70 minutes into the game, Croft got the ball out on the right flank, spotted a gap between the outside-centre and number eight and went for it. He burst through the defence and then rounded full-black Clement Poitrenaud, to score an outstanding individual try.
Croft looks back to his best, and that is great news for England fans.
Defence
England's defence has been concrete all the way through this tournament, and it was the same on Sunday. They soaked up wave after wave of French pressure. When Les Bleus broke the line, the men in white were fantastic in scrambling to get back. Only the powerful Wesley Fofana was able to breach England's line with five minutes to go.
Chris Ashton's huge hit set up the first try and Owen Farrell's massive hit on Harinordoquy was reminiscent of Jonny Wilkinson's hit on Emile Ntamack.
Lancaster's men made 111 tackles in the Stade de France, but the more astonishing figure showed that they only missed six tackles all game. Six missed tackles out of 111 shows just how hard this side works for each other and the shirt. The commitment they have shown is refreshing and has kept them in every game so far.
The only blot on the defence was the amount of penalties they gave away, which effectively kept France in the game. But other than that, it was another excellent defensive display from England.
Try Time
Before the game Leicester coach Matt O'Connor claimed that England played "not to lose, and weren't interested in creative players . He couldn't have been more wrong, three tries in Paris showed that this side does have firepower and can create scoring chances.
On Sunday they were ruthless. First of all Manu Tuilagi sprinted in from 50 metres after Ashton's huge hit created a turnover. Then Ben Morgan produced a bulldozing run followed by a dexterous offload to Ben Foden who held off the tackle of Vincent Clerc to score. And finally Croft's majestic solo effort rounded off the scoring.
The timing of the three scores was also crucial. Sometimes it's not how many you score, but when you score them. England got two tries in the first 20 minutes when they were in complete control. Then the final score came after they had been under heavy pressure for 15 minutes.
Set-Piece
At any level of rugby a solid set-piece is essential. Sunday's game was no exception, with England's front-five laying the platform for victory. When you compare the experience of the French tight-five to the English, there should of only been one winner. But the scrum and lineout were almost faultless from an English perspective.
The scrum continued to improve as it has done all competition. Dan Cole and Alex Corbisiero had outstanding games up front. Cole is quickly becoming a vital figure in this side, not just for his work at the scrum but his play at the ruck and in defence.
In the lineout Geoff Parling along with Mouritz Botha and Croft did an impressive job, and provided the backs with quality fast ball to work with. Parling goes about his work quietly but effectively, he has been one of the finds of the tournament for Lancaster.
It was another tremendous win on the road for England, and was without doubt their most complete performance of the tournament. Everything was done with purpose and commitment, it was the biggest step forward in Lancaster's tenure, and may have got him the job full-time.
