Red Rose Ratings: France 21-31 England.
England claimed their first Grand Slam for 13 years as they made it five from five with victory over France. Although it won't have made up entirely for England's premature exit in their own World Cup, Eddie Jones began the rehabilitation process with some well overdue silverware.
Here are my player ratings for the England players following the momentous victory in Paris:
Starting 15:
15: Mike Brown - 6 - Butchered a certain try when he elected not to pass to Watson who could have cantered in for an easy score. Worked hard as always and was reliable in defence.
14: Anthony Watson - 8 - Scored the crucial try which ultimately killed off France. Should have had two but for Brown's poor decision making. Nice outing for his twinkle toes in a very good performance.
13: Jonathan Joseph - 6 - Struggled for room and space leaving him with very little chance to light the game up.
12: Owen Farrell - 7 - Missed a couple of kicks but ultimately succeeded in his job of keeping the scoreboard ticking over and keeping the French at a safe distance. Defense was solid but at times seemed a little too keen to come of the line, distribution was again very impressive.
11: Jack Nowell - 7 - Another reliable and efficient display from the Chiefs winger. Looked particularly strong in defense.
10: George Ford - 7 - Kicked and controlled the game very well, did a good job in keeping France at bay and ultimately closing out the Grand slam triumph.
9: Danny Care - 8 - Eddie Jones' rotation of the scrum half position has worked very effectively throughout the tournament. Care was superb in Paris, scoring a trademark try and commanding the first half brilliantly. Will be disappointed to have been subbed off early in the second half but this wasn't a result of his performance which was excellent.
1: Mako Vunipola - 6 - Perhaps starting because of 'Gypsy Gate' and the Joe Marler controversy but put in a good shift at scrum time against a competitive french pack. Eddie Jones is still likely to be deciding on his loosehead prop though.
2: Dylan Hartley - 7 -Exceptional at the lineout and captained what must have been a very nervous team very well. Let the field early to a horrible looking head injury. Thankfully made his return to the field in time to lift the trophy.
3: Dan Cole - 7 - Capped off a very impressive 6 Nations with a rare, well taken try, only his second in a lengthy test career.
4: Maro Itoje - 7 - Not as strong or as influential as he has been in recent weeks but still a very impressive display from the young lock. Seemed unfazed by the pressure of the occasion and never seemed to tire. Will hope he can keep up his three starts for every trophy ratio.
5: George Kruis - 9 - Just as everyone started to rave about his fellow second-row Kruis puts in a mammoth performance to showcase his talents. Imperious at every set-piece from the lineout to the restart and involved with everything else, attack and defense. His performance had man of the match written all over it.
6: Chris Robshaw - 7 - When you think about what this man must have been through following the World Cup exit and his loss of captaincy, Robshaw has showed immense character. Seems to be relishing life in his new role and had a typical Robshaw game, working hard and throwing his weight about in the loose and tackles brilliantly.
7: James Haskell - 6 - Were no real signs of the back injury that was mentioned in the build up as the Wasps flanker worked hard and always got involved.
8: Billy Vunipola - 8 - England's player of the tournament by a long way and finished with a typically physical game causing the french defence all sorts of problems.
Subs:
Luke Cowan-Dickie - 6
Joe Marler - 7
Ben Youngs - 8
Jack Clifford - N/A
Henry Justice
Here are my player ratings for the England players following the momentous victory in Paris:
Starting 15:
15: Mike Brown - 6 - Butchered a certain try when he elected not to pass to Watson who could have cantered in for an easy score. Worked hard as always and was reliable in defence.
14: Anthony Watson - 8 - Scored the crucial try which ultimately killed off France. Should have had two but for Brown's poor decision making. Nice outing for his twinkle toes in a very good performance.
13: Jonathan Joseph - 6 - Struggled for room and space leaving him with very little chance to light the game up.
12: Owen Farrell - 7 - Missed a couple of kicks but ultimately succeeded in his job of keeping the scoreboard ticking over and keeping the French at a safe distance. Defense was solid but at times seemed a little too keen to come of the line, distribution was again very impressive.
11: Jack Nowell - 7 - Another reliable and efficient display from the Chiefs winger. Looked particularly strong in defense.
10: George Ford - 7 - Kicked and controlled the game very well, did a good job in keeping France at bay and ultimately closing out the Grand slam triumph.
9: Danny Care - 8 - Eddie Jones' rotation of the scrum half position has worked very effectively throughout the tournament. Care was superb in Paris, scoring a trademark try and commanding the first half brilliantly. Will be disappointed to have been subbed off early in the second half but this wasn't a result of his performance which was excellent.
1: Mako Vunipola - 6 - Perhaps starting because of 'Gypsy Gate' and the Joe Marler controversy but put in a good shift at scrum time against a competitive french pack. Eddie Jones is still likely to be deciding on his loosehead prop though.
2: Dylan Hartley - 7 -Exceptional at the lineout and captained what must have been a very nervous team very well. Let the field early to a horrible looking head injury. Thankfully made his return to the field in time to lift the trophy.
3: Dan Cole - 7 - Capped off a very impressive 6 Nations with a rare, well taken try, only his second in a lengthy test career.
4: Maro Itoje - 7 - Not as strong or as influential as he has been in recent weeks but still a very impressive display from the young lock. Seemed unfazed by the pressure of the occasion and never seemed to tire. Will hope he can keep up his three starts for every trophy ratio.
5: George Kruis - 9 - Just as everyone started to rave about his fellow second-row Kruis puts in a mammoth performance to showcase his talents. Imperious at every set-piece from the lineout to the restart and involved with everything else, attack and defense. His performance had man of the match written all over it.
6: Chris Robshaw - 7 - When you think about what this man must have been through following the World Cup exit and his loss of captaincy, Robshaw has showed immense character. Seems to be relishing life in his new role and had a typical Robshaw game, working hard and throwing his weight about in the loose and tackles brilliantly.
7: James Haskell - 6 - Were no real signs of the back injury that was mentioned in the build up as the Wasps flanker worked hard and always got involved.
8: Billy Vunipola - 8 - England's player of the tournament by a long way and finished with a typically physical game causing the french defence all sorts of problems.
Subs:
Luke Cowan-Dickie - 6
Joe Marler - 7
Ben Youngs - 8
Jack Clifford - N/A
Henry Justice
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