England coach Eddie Jones made a rod for his own back by announcing prior to the game that England was going to visit severe brutality on the French - an ill-advised statement that to this armchair coach at least would serve only to inspire les Bleus. England were minus the Vunipola Bros and they also lost Manu Tuilagi after 15 minutes. It has to be said that England were woeful while France played a fluent aggressive match with creativity, quick line speed and safe handling. After the initial French onslaught, England looked shocked and clueless - it was only thanks to some individual brilliance by Jonny May that they were able to register some points - points that, in my opinion, flattered them. Two French players stood out - Charles Ollivon, a powerful 1m99 No 7 from Saint Pée-sur-Nivelle who scored two tries and Antoine Dupont, who sparkled at No 9.
1st February. Yes, while I might be many miles away from England down here in the Pays Basque, even from this distance I can sense there's been a tangible lifting of the mood among the majority of the population of the UK. Of course, there are those who continue to re-visit old battlegrounds with their tired old arguments that we had to endure during the last 3½ years but soon even they will come to recognize that the Brexit horse has bolted for good from the EU stable.
