JUST a few months back this was predicted as the Championship decider and as a contest it was indeed comfortably the best and most compelling game of the 2021 Six Nations thus far and exactly the kind of rugby spectacle that needs to remain on terrestrial TV.
But of course it was not the Championship decider. England had endured a tournament of mid-table mediocrity up to this juncture and had only pride and possibly Lions places to play for. It was France who had everything to lose and although it would be way too harsh to suggest they froze, they did look a little nervy on occasions.
Anto...