France's Grand Slam hopes have been dashed by a heartbreaking defeat at Twickenham this evening. Maro Itoje's late try would prove to be the difference between the sides, with the Englishman getting a helping hand from an Irish official.
It was an incredibly entertaining game of rugby, with both teams looking like they were going to take the initiative at various stages throughout.
France led for most of the game, with a try inside the opening minute handing them the perfect start. They played some brilliant rugby at times, with this try just before the interval probably the most impressive passage of play in the game.
MAGNIFIQUE! 🇫🇷
Brilliant rugby from France!#ENGvFRA #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/X0DFxrPPqc— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 13, 2021
However, England stayed within touching distance throughout the game. They were trailing 20-16 heading into the final few minutes but a late try from Itoje got them over the line.
The Saracens man had been criticised for his performances in this tournament so far after giving away a huge number of penalties in the losses to Scotland and Wales.
It was pick and go that handed the English the victory, but the referee initially felt that the ball had been held up by the French defender.
It would go to a TMO review, where Irish official Joy Neville would eventually indicated that a try should be awarded. It was a big decision to make on an incident that wasn't a straightforward one, with the TMO often just going with the referee's decision in such circumstances.
ITOJE WINS IT FOR ENGLAND! 😲
On-field decision was No Try but TMO Joy Neville saw enough to overturn.#ENGvFRA #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/XmknzdBPOH— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 13, 2021
While it was a very tight call, replays do seem to indicate that the ball was just about touched down before the French defender got a hand underneath it.
After the game, Ronan O'Gara labelled the Irishwoman's decision as a 'brave' one in the Virgin Media studio after the game.
"Brilliant decision from Joy Neville. Courageous decision to overrule the referee."@RonanOGara10 on England's late winner over France.#ENGvFRA #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/9sVBqjH9G0
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 13, 2021
It's a brilliant decision from Joy Neville I thought, a courageous decision to overrule the referee.
Neville made history by becoming the first female official to act as TMO in a Six Nations game earlier this year.
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