Six Nations: England pluck victory from chaos against France

“Make some noise for your England!”

The pitchside hype man needn’t have worried.

The 81,000 inside Allianz Stadium had been doing exactly that for the final rounds of an epic, see-sawing contest and weren’t about to stop as Maro Itoje, Tom Curry and their battle-battered team-mates used their last drop of energy to salute the stands.

There was jubilation, vindication and a fair bit of relief in the decibels.

England fans are used to their teams putting them through the wringer.

Three tries in the final 10 minutes? The lead swapping hands faster than an ambidextrous dog-walker? This is standard fare in the wild, wild south-west of London nowadays.

The last Six Nations match here was a victory over Ireland settled by a Marcus Smith drop-goal at the death.

In the autumn, George Ford was the width of a post from doing the same to New Zealand.

A week later against Australia, the Wallabies won a 79-point, 10-try rafter-ripper on the final play.

Some of the Twickenham scripts would have been shredded as too outlandish by a telenovela writers’ room.

But, after six defeats in their past seven Tests, an England victory was the oh-so welcome twist this time around.

Finally, England have the salve of victory to ease some tired bodies and minds.

The hosts’ effort and commitment has been evident through that rotten run. Perspiration has come by the gallon. Inspiration coming in far shorter measures has been the problem.

This wasn’t loads in this performance either.

France, who carried further and made more line breaks, were the more consistently dangerous.

They were also criminally – and crucially – casual in their handling. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, scorer of two tries, butchered another with a nonchalant pass slung over the top of Peato Mauvaka.

Damian Penaud juggled and spilled a dolly.

Even in the build-up to their opening try, Mauvaka carelessly dropped the ball out his back pocket.