There was something very satisfying for English rugby fans in the days when the French squad disembarked Eurostar at Waterloo station, an unintended historical piece of mind games and one-upmanship was already in the bag before they had even got as far as Café Nero.
These days Eurostar’s current London terminus St Pancras doesn’t have the same emotional impact, in fact the plethora of French themed coffee outlets in the vicinity make The Bleus Brothers feel quite at home.
One man left metaphorically waiting on the platform at Gare du Nord was fly half Romain Ntamack, his 70th minute red card in the opening match against Wales and the subsequent disciplinary outcome meant he was ruled out of action this weekend.
The Guinness Six Nations tea time slot on match-day two was reserved for England v France at Twickenham, a fixture that conjures up so many memories, many of which would now carry a parental warning or an X Certificate.
The misty drizzle began to fall early morning and never relented. France played rugby in slicks when wet weather tyres were what was required. Perhaps a more accurate kicking strategy would have reaped greater benefits.
They should have been out of sight by half-time but the two most unlikely suspects, Dupont and Penaud found the bar of soap slipping through their fingers on more than one occasion with the try line at their mercy.
A 7-7 half-time scoreline that gave England hope preceded a mad cap frantic second half where the lead changed hands several times.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s 75th minute try looked to have won it for France but on 79 minutes Elliot Daly went over and with Fin Smith’s conversion under the posts a formality England’s 26-25 bonus point victory was in the bag.
France’s thirty missed tackles will have Shaun Edward’s neck veins bulging but for many of the 81,912 present at Twickenham this was a match to savour one of those Six Nations days that will be recalled over a few beers, a coffee, or a glass or two of wine.
Whatever your colours this tournament is simply the best and not just for rugby reasons, it deserves to be cherished preserved and untampered with.
So St Pancras looms for France as they head back to the Gare du Nord I just hope they’re not catching the 1815 train.
England 26
Tries: Lawrence 36, Freeman 58, Baxter 70, Daly 79
Conversions: M Smith 36, F Smith 71, 80
France 25
Tries: Bielle-Biarrey 30, 75; Penaud 61 Conversions: Ramos 31, 76
Penalties: Ramos 50, 56
Read Antoine Dupont’s story in my new book Behind Enemy Nines available from Amazon via this link for only £5.99
Mike Pearce Rugby 