England misplaced an exhilarating match in France however have proved they’ll compete with the perfect sides on this planet, says head coach Steve Borthwick.
France received 33-31 because of a late Thomas Ramos penalty as England completed third within the Six Nations.
The slender defeat got here after England beat Six Nations champions Eire at Twickenham final weekend.
“I’m proud, however disenchanted we did not get the win,” Borthwick advised BBC 5 Stay.
“We’ve proven within the final two weeks we’re competing with the highest 4 groups once more.
“We do not wish to simply compete, we wish to win. It is a step in the fitting path.”
England solely received two video games and completed fourth in Borthwick’s first Six Nations marketing campaign as head coach final yr, and he launched a number of new gamers this yr following their third-place end on the World Cup.
Through the opening three rounds of the Six Nations, Borthwick’s new-look aspect solely scored six tries as they struggled in assault.
Nevertheless, seven tries in opposition to Eire and France, who’re ranked two and 4 on this planet, and completed first and second within the Six Nations, exhibits vital progress.
Centre Ollie Lawrence scored both aspect of the break handy England the benefit in Lyon earlier than tries from Marcus Smith and Tommy Freeman appeared to have sealed victory.
Nevertheless, Ramos struck within the remaining moments to disclaim England second place within the standings.
“I’m actually disenchanted for the gamers, they labored so exhausting, and for the supporters who have been magnificent,” Borthwick added.
“I’m immensely proud, you possibly can see how the shirt is getting lighter.
“Generally it’s a must to keep within the combat and we noticed that. If we had yet one more alternative we may have gotten that rating.”
‘Deja vu from Pollard’s World Cup penalty ‘
Captain Jamie George stated France’s victory reminded him of final autumn’s World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa when Handre Pollard’s kick from the same place knocked them out of the match.
“I am gutted in regards to the consequence,” he stated. “There was quite a bit to be more than happy about and really happy with.
“Honest play to France for coming again and getting that penalty on the finish and truthful play to Ramos for knocking it over.
“There was a little bit of deja vu from the Pollard penalty just a few month in the past. That is all the time going to be robust to take however there’s a lot to be happy with over the previous couple of weeks.
“We genuinely really feel like this crew is on and upward curve and we’re going someplace.”
The Saracens hooker, 33, has overseen his first Six Nations as captain following Owen Farrell’s choice to step away from the worldwide recreation.
George, whose mom Jane handed away earlier than the crew’s match in opposition to Scotland, praised Borthwick and his team-mates for his or her help.
“It has been the spotlight of my profession doing this [captaincy],” George advised BBC Radio 5 Stay. “It is such a particular factor with such particular folks with the employees and the gamers.
“It is a younger, hungry group and I am so happy to have performed an element in that.
“It has been a tricky time without work the sector however the group have rallied round me and taken care of me, and that’s the signal of a really particular group,”
England’s Six Nations outcomes
| Consequence | Half-time | Attempt-scorers | Bonus factors |
| Italy 24-27 England | Trailed 17-14 | Daly, Mitchell | 0 |
| England 16-14 Wales | Trailed 14-5 | Dingwall, Earl | 0 |
| Scotland 30-21 England | Trailed 17-13 | Furbank, Feyi-Waboso | 0 |
| England 23-22 Eire | Trailed 8-12 | Lawrence, Furbank, Earl | 0 |
| France 33-31 England | Trailed 16-10 | Lawrence (2), Smith, Freeman | 2 |