France v England: player ratings

FRANCE Clément Poitrenaud 6 One of France's better playmakers and more threatening runners. Still prone to the odd wobble, though. Not exactly alone in that respect Vincent Clerc 4 Not a lot to do and did not make it to half-time, hobbling off a few minutes before. Couldn't prevent Ben Foden's try, but valiant attempt Aurélien Rougerie 3 Broke out of defence with the game in the balance, which earns him a point, but his previous 77 minutes were pretty poor. Tuilagi won the clash of the titans Wesley Fofana 7 France's most dangerous back, his try set up an enthralling last few minutes, some reward after repeated raids on the English line. Not afraid of a tackle, either Julien Malzieu 4 One fine run in the first half, but otherwise not a lot to report. Technically, one of the most dangerous runners in the game; needs to make it tell Lionel Beauxis 5 Well, he kicks a long way, and his three long penalties kept France in the game. So some credit for that. Not a lot else, though Julien Dupuy 4 Did settle into the game eventually, but his passing in the opening exchanges was loose. One of his clearance kicks invited Ben Morgan on to the charge for England's second Jean-Baptiste Poux 5 The battle at scrum time ebbed and flowed. Was picked out for censure by the ref at one scrum in the first half Dimitri Szarzewski 4 His running in the loose remains effective, but until he calms down with his passing he is going to struggle to convince anyone. Set up England's first try Nicolas Mas 6 His reputation as the championship's best scrummager remains intact — just about. He also puts it about in the loose when the mood takes him Pascal Papé 6 One of his better games. Solid at the restart, the odd take at the lineout and looked for work increasingly as the game wore on Yoann Maestri 4 Quiet game for such a giant of a man. Hauled off in the third quarter. Not a lot else to say, which tells its own story Thierry Dusautoir 6 He really does hit people hard for someone who is far from the biggest. But this was not one of his all-things-to-all-men games. Still pretty good Julien Bonnaire 6 Not one of his, either. But he had a fine tilt at the line early on, when it seemed France may canter to a win. Missed Ben Morgan a few minutes later Imanol Harinordoquy 7 Wobbly start, but then did have something close to an all-things-to-all-men games. One of this French back row usually does. Missed the up-and-under before Croft's try, though Replacements: Maxime Mermoz (for Clerc 37) 5 Silky as always, but not deadly. Vincent Debaty (for Poux 50) 5 French scrum finished stronger. William Servat (for Szarzewski 50) 5 A bit of quiet authority after Szarzewski's wild-man act. Morgan Parra (for Dupuy 50) 7 A gem of a player, whose place-kicking kept France in hunt. Lionel Nallet (for Maestri 55) 5 Another to bring graft and presence to the French pack. Lionel Picamoles (for Bonnaire 67) 5 Great run towards the end. François Trinh-Duc (for Beauxis 74) 3 Fluffed his big moment ENGLAND Ben Foden 7 Has been a Six Nations of graft in defence for him, but here he managed to show some of the stardust too. An increasingly impressive player Chris Ashton 5 Still not swaggering a la last season, but this was a step in the right direction. Massive hit on Szarzewski to set up England's first try Manu Tuilagi 6 Superb finish, beating a former winger in his dash for the game's first try. You could see the French defence mobilise whenever he had the ball Brad Barritt 5 Hard and tireless in defence, but that is becoming a given. Here he showed a little in attack, as well as stepping in at 10 to smooth effect Charlie Sharples 2 Thrown in for his Six Nations debut at 24 hours' notice, this was a big ask. Didn't look comfortable. His time will come and on his terms Owen Farrell 6 A mixed bag, but when good, very good. Huge, huge hit on Harinordoquy in final throes of match. His up-and-under set up the winning try Lee Dickson 6 Pretty good. His early break from a lineout set the tone for England's purple patch, and his tackle on Poitrenaud stopped France short, just as they were threatening Alex Corbisiero 5 Some scrums were good; some of them not so. He always contributes to the defensive effort, and this was no different. England's undisputed No1 for now Dylan Hartley 5 This Six Nations has not been the Dylan Hartley show, but he is no doubt becoming a better player for it. Like his mate Ashton, efficient rather than swaggering Dan Cole 7 Outstanding, although trouble at a late scrum costs him a point. Not only holds up scrum, but pulls off try-saving tackles on backs. Undisputed No3, possibly for good Mouritz Botha 4 The trouble with his red scrum cap is that it accentuates any mistakes. Spilled an early pass. Thereafter, the scrum cap not as prominent as normal Geoff Parling 6 Came into his own in the second half, when his carrying and defence made a real mark on a game that was intensifying towards its conclusion Tom Croft 8 The game's outstanding player. From his cover tackle on Malzieu to his gallop round Poitrenaud, this was the Tom Croft show. French lineout struggled to get past him, too Chris Robshaw 5 Can't argue with the way his team is responding to him. He is never far from the heart of the action. Just missing a defining intervention or two Ben Morgan 7 Thunderous carrying, although to describe his contribution to the second try as a carry is to damn it with faint praise. He has pace, which turns his carries into breaks Replacements: Tom Palmer (for Botha 56) 6 A good carry or two. Phil Dowson (for Morgan 63) 6 Heroic covering cost him his consciousness. Matt Stevens (for Cole 69), Ben Youngs (for Dickson 73), Rob Webber (for Dowson 74) too late to make an impression