Glory for a band of brothers

ENGLAND emerged victorious for the first time in the tournament since 2016, denying France a fourth championship in a row and completed a historic Six Nations and World Championship double, going undefeated in 2024.

- WILLIAM GUPWELL

England dominated the tournament thanks to a mightily impressive forward pack that has smashed everything in its path. The French flair has been mesmerising all tournament, but they fell just short of the trophy as they couldn’t overcome that English dominance.

Across the tournament, it’s been clear just how bright and promising the young rugby talent across the competing nations is. There have been tight contests and dazzling performances in every game, punctuated by a classic final won by a deserving side.

The passion was fully on show from both sides, right from the anthems, in the biggest game of these young players’ lives. Led by talismanic captain Finn Carnduff, this England side have proved their worth throughout the Six Nations and now by winning this tournament, and he was full of praise for his side at full-time.

He said: “I can’t believe it. It’s amazing, that the group of boys over there is super special. I genuinely see those boys as brothers. I’ve said it all throughout this tournament winning two trophies together this year is so special.

“I think we felt in the first half our errors put us on the back foot, and when you put yourself on the backfoot against a French team like that, you’re going to struggle. We said at half-time we needed to go back to our principles; keeping the ball in their end, using the set piece to our advantage and moving the ball. We felt our breakdown was sloppy in that first half, taking away our momentum in attack and getting put back in our own half because of those penalties.”