Maro Itoje insists England “are going places” despite enduring their worst Six Nations campaign.
England lost four games in the tournament for the first time to finish fifth in the table but the performance in their last-gasp loss to France was a far cry from the insipid displays against Scotland, Ireland and Italy.
England produced one of their best showings under Steve Borthwick, scoring seven tries at Stade de France. The last of those, a 77th-minute effort from Tommy Freeman, looked to have sealed a famous victory, only for Thomas Ramos to break English hearts with a last-gasp penalty.
It was cruel on England, who dominated for large spells during the first half and surged into a 10-point lead, but a 40th-minute penalty try – coupled with the sin-binning for Ellis Genge – proved costly.
“We had a tough couple of games and are disappointed to lose this one but it showed the spirit of this team,” England captain Itoje told ITV.
“In sport you often don’t want to go through the experiences we went through in the last few games but I truly believe we are going places.
“We will learn from our experiences and be better for them. We just need to attack the game as Test rugby is a tough sport. You have to be sharp from the off. We will take the lessons. Some big ones.”
Thomas Ramos kicks the winning penalty
Borthwick’s side were transformed from the side that collapsed in Rome. Their pack flexed their muscles for the first time in the tournament by dominating France up front, inspired by two-try Ollie Chessum, the relentless Ben Earl and props Genge and Joe Heyes.
It was the type of all-action display Borthwick needed to convince the Rugby Football Union he should continue as head coach just a week after England fell to a historic first defeat by Italy.
Louis Bielle Biarrey, who scored two tries in each half, celebrates Ramos’ winning kick
“France are a tremendous team and it was an excellent game,” said Borthwick. “Last year we won it very late in the game and it’s the nature of this fixture.
“It has taken time to get the relationships in the team. We have been disappointing in the last few weeks and wanted a result tonight but we hope the fans can be proud of how the team played.
“The yellow cards have hurt us but I think tonight’s was very debatable. Luck has gone against us but we have to be better than that.
“I am very clear on the direction of the team, we wanted to achieve more in the tournament, clearly, but we will make sure we do that going forwards.”
Next up for England is a trip to Ellis Park, Johannesburg on July 4 to face world champions South Africa in their first game of the inaugural Nations Championship.
