France beats England with dramatic last-minute penalty in Six Nations final

The French managed to get one for the ages on Saturday after Thomas Ramos landed a 50-metre penalty to give his team a 33-31 win in Lyon. The result over bitter rival England ensured France finished the championship runner-up to Ireland.

After a stuttering and insipid start to the tournament marred by a lopsided loss to Ireland and a lucky draw against Italy, France followed its swashbuckling win in Wales last weekend with another solid and disciplined display in Lyon.

Read more Ireland win back-to-back Six Nations titles with narrow win over valiant Scotland

The French scored three tries – one fewer than England – and managed to fight back after England came from behind early in the second half to take control of the match.

England scored three tries in seven minutes bridging halftime to rush from 3-16 behind to 24-16 ahead.

“We gave ourselves a scare,” Ramos said. “Even if everything isn’t perfect, we’ve got the desire back.”

England made sure the championship was suspenseful until the final day by derailing Ireland’s Grand Slam bid with a resounding win at Twickenham last weekend. But Ireland got things back on track by beating Scotland 17-13 earlier Saturday to wrap up back-to-back titles before France and England kicked off.

Looking to avenge the humiliating 53-10 loss to France at Twickenham last year – England’s record home defeat – England was under pressure from the start.

France combined creative attack with solid defense and dominant mauls to camp in England’s half.

England was forced into an early change, with Marcus Smith coming in after just eight minutes to replace injured fullback George Furbank.

The visitors led against the run of play when George Ford, on his 31st birthday, kicked his only penalty