England v France Six Nations 2025 – Dramatic 26-25 Twickenham Win

Elliot Daly’s try in the 80th minute secured a dramatic 26-25 victory for England over France at Twickenham on February 8, 2025, completing a stunning comeback in the Six Nations Round 2 fixture. The winning score, converted by Fin Smith, overturned a late deficit after Louis Bielle-Biarrey had appeared to seal the result for the visitors with a second try.

The match delivered another chapter in the rivalry known as Le Crunch, played before a full house of 81,000 spectators at Allianz Stadium. England’s bonus-point victory halted France’s four-match winning streak in this fixture and provided redemption following their narrow opening defeat to Ireland.

Steve Borthwick’s side recovered from a 7-7 half-time deadlock to outscore the French 19-18 in the second period, despite Bielle-Biarrey crossing twice and Thomas Ramos kicking penalties. The result keeps England’s championship hopes alive while ending France’s perfect start to the campaign.

When and Where is England vs France in Six Nations 2025?

The 2025 contest between England and France took place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, kicking off at 16:45 GMT under the floodlights of Twickenham Stadium in London. Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli officiated the fixture, which formed the central match of Round 2 in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations.

Key Match Statistics:

• 81,000 attendance recorded at Twickenham
• 80th minute try proved decisive for the hosts
• 26-25 final scoreline represented the fourth consecutive single-digit margin in this rivalry
• 4 tries scored by England to France’s 3
• 43-0 scoreline by which France defeated Wales in Round 1
• 5 points separating England from Ireland in their opening fixture

How to Watch England vs France Six Nations 2025 Live

British viewers watched the Twickenham clash live on ITV1 or via the ITVX streaming service. The broadcaster provided live coverage of the 16:45 GMT kick-off, with pre-match analysis extending throughout the afternoon.

Radio and Digital Coverage

BBC Radio 5 Live carried comprehensive audio commentary for the fixture, offering play-by-play analysis as the dramatic conclusion unfolded. International viewers accessed the match through various regional broadcast partners carrying the Six Nations feed.

Predicted Lineups and Team News for England vs France 2025

Complete confirmed starting lineups were not fully documented in available match reports. However, key statistical contributions identified England’s primary performers as Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Fin Baxter, Elliot Daly, and Fin Smith.

Key Contributors

France’s attack centred on Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who crossed for two tries, alongside Damian Penaud and the kicking precision of Thomas Ramos. England’s pack featured notable carries from Tom Curry, while Cadan Murley’s form carried over from the Ireland defeat.

Head-to-Head Record and Expert Predictions

The fixture, known internationally as Le Crunch, represents one of rugby’s oldest rivalries with over 100 meetings since the first official Test on New Year’s Day 1908. France entered this match having won the previous four encounters, suffering only one defeat in eleven contests against England.

Timeline of the 2025 Fixture and Rivalry History

1. 31 January 2025: England opened their campaign with a narrow defeat to Ireland, scoring tries through Cadan Murley, Tom Curry, and Tommy Freeman.
2. 2 February 2025: France began with a comprehensive 43-0 victory over Wales, crossing the line seven times without conceding.
3. 8 February 2025, 16:45 GMT: England vs France kicks off at Twickenham; Bielle-Biarrey opens the scoring in the 30th minute.
4. 8 February 2025, 40th minute: Ollie Lawrence levels for England, bringing the score to 7-7 at the interval.
5. 8 February 2025, second half: Thomas Ramos kicks penalties; Tommy Freeman and Fin Baxter score tries for England.
6. 8 February 2025, 80th minute: Elliot Daly scores the winning try, converted by Fin Smith, sealing a 26-25 victory.
7. 1 January 1908: First official Test between England and France played, establishing the rivalry.
8. 2020-2024: France wins four consecutive Six Nations meetings prior to the 2025 Twickenham fixture.
9. 15 March 2025: Return fixture scheduled for Stade de France, Paris (Round 5).
10. 21 June 2025: Non-cap warm-up match between England XV and France XV at Twickenham, 15:15 kick-off.

Confirmed Details and Outstanding Questions

The Historical Context of Le Crunch

The England-France fixture carries significance beyond the Six Nations table, often determining championship aspirations. With over a century of history, these encounters frequently serve as tournaments deciders. England’s 2025 victory proved particularly significant given their opening round defeat, preventing an early exit and maintaining momentum ahead of their travels to Paris.

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The match exemplified the narrow margins defining this rivalry, with fifteen of England’s previous seventeen games against France decided by single-digit score differences. For France, the defeat represented a missed opportunity to build upon their dominant start against Wales, though they remain positioned for the championship decider later in the year.

Official Sources and Match Accounts

England completed a remarkable comeback to defeat France 26-25 at Twickenham, with Elliot Daly’s late try securing a bonus-point victory in the Six Nations Round 2 clash.

— Six Nations Guide

France dominated 2023 but England edged recent Twickenham clashes, continuing their pattern of home success against Les Bleus despite the visitors’ recent overall superiority.

— Six Nations Rugby Official

Summary

England secured a dramatic 26-25 victory over France at Twickenham on February 8, 2025, thanks to Elliot Daly’s 80th-minute try converted by Fin Smith. The result halted France’s four-match winning streak in this rivalry and provided redemption for England following their narrow opening defeat to Ireland. With the reverse fixture scheduled for Paris in March and a subsequent warm-up meeting in June, the championship picture remains open as both sides navigate the remainder of the tournament.

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