The rivalry between England and France in rugby union matches is one of the oldest and most intense in the sport’s history. These two nations have been going head-to-head since the late 19th century, and their games have produced some of rugby’s most memorable moments.

England and France first played in a rugby union match in March 1906, when the English team traveled to Paris for what would be a historic fixture. The game was played in front of a crowd of 8,000 people, and the French put up a valiant fight, but ultimately they were no match for the English team, who won by 35 points to 8.

The early years of this rugby rivalry saw England dominate, with the English winning the first six matches between the two nations. However, in the 1920s and 1930s, France started to become a more serious threat, and they began to win games against their English rivals on a more regular basis. In fact, France won six of the eleven matches played between the two nations during this period.

During the late 1940s and 1950s, the rivalry between England and France intensified even further, and the two countries played out some of their most memorable games during this time. One of the most famous matches took place in 1951, when England and France played at Twickenham, in front of a crowd of over 60,000 people. It was a thrilling game, with both sides playing some fantastic rugby, but it ended in a 3-3 draw, with neither team able to find a winning score.

The 1960s and 1970s saw England start to reassert their dominance over the French, winning nine of the eleven matches played during this period. However, the 1980s and 1990s saw France once again emerge as a serious force in international rugby, and the matches between the two nations during this time were often hotly contested affairs.

One of the most memorable games during this period was the 1991 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, which saw England and France meet in Paris. The game was a fierce and physical battle, with both teams putting in some huge hits and displaying some incredible skill. In the end, it was England who emerged victorious, winning 19-10, and progressing to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Since the turn of the millennium, the rivalry between England and France has continued to produce some of the most exciting and fiercely contested games in rugby union. In 2001, England and France played out a memorable Six Nations match at Twickenham, which saw England win 48-19 in what has been dubbed the “Will Greenwood Show”. The England centre scored three tries in a brilliant individual performance, and his team went on to win the Grand Slam that year.

More recently, England and France met in the 2019 Six Nations, in what was a crucial match for both teams. England were bidding for a Grand Slam, while France were looking to salvage some pride after a disappointing tournament. In the end, it was England who emerged victorious, winning 44-8 in what was arguably their most dominant performance of the tournament.

Throughout the years, the rugby union matches between England and France have produced some of the most memorable and entertaining games in the sport’s history. From the fierce physical battles of the 1980s and 1990s to the high-scoring encounters of the 21st century, this rivalry has never failed to deliver. With both teams continuing to be among the best in the world, there’s no doubt that we’ll see many more classic matches between these two great rugby nations in the years to come.

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