England v France Hospitality

Twickenham Stadium, Saturday 26th February 2011

England 17 – 9 France

England’s third fixture in the RBS Six Nations 2011 saw them face France – the only other team still unbeaten in the tournament, in what promised to be a thrilling match between these two title contenders at the home of rugby.

Following a fantastic win in the England v Italy match the previous week, England were looking to carry their momentum through against an impressive French side which were yet to reach top gear in this year’s Championship.

The Official Twickenham Hospitality facility opened its doors to welcome guests into the contemporary restaurant for a full day of luxuriant entertaining, with Twickenham hostesses greeting guests with a Champagne reception upon arrival at the restaurant.

There was a real sense of occasion at Twickenham ahead of the game, with the corporate hospitality guests hoping for another scintillating performance in the England v France match to keep alive England’s hopes of winning the grand slam in 2011.

With the complimentary bar in full flow, guests were later seated for a divine four course luncheon at the Twickenham hospitality restaurant, catered for by of Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts.

The guest speaker at the England v France hospitality facility was the current England flanker Tom Croft. As a rising star in this exciting young England side, Croft is highly rated amongst England fans and with an injury keeping him out of the side to face France, he took the time to give corporate hospitality guests a fascinating insight into England’s age-old rivalry with the French.

With officially allocated RFU England v France match tickets along the West Stand sidelines, clients had an unrivalled view of the action. The teams marched out in front of them as a stirring rendition of the national anthem boomed around Twickenham Stadium.

With Marc Liévremont’s derogatory pre-match comments giving added spice to the occasion, England were fully charged up heading into this intense RBS Six Nations battle.

England hand a tough challenge on their hands against a strong French pack; the French front row had not lost a single Six Nations game when they had started together.

An assured start from the hosts saw England steal the French line-out and England dominated the first scrum to push France back into their own 22 and concede the first penalty of the match, which Toby Flood duly dispatched between the Twickenham posts.

France’s win over England in Paris in 2010 was down to their advantage at the scrum, which England appeared to have overturned a year on at Twickenham.

After a good restart, France were soon level with a penalty of their own, which Dmitri Yachvili drilled through the posts to the delight of the visiting French hoards.

However more sloppy play from France follow shortly after, as they were caught offside twice in five minutes, and duly punished by the on-song Flood who gave England a 9-3 lead.

The slippery ball was causing problems for both sides and it was soon France’s turn to capitalise, after indiscipline from Nick Easter and then an overpowered English scrum allowing the French to level the scores through Yachvili.

The England v France hospitality guests were encouraged by what they had seen from England at half time in the England v France match. Martin Johnson’s evolving side looked assured in possession and more than capable of punishing the French opposition.

Tom Palmer, one of England’s outstanding players on the day, charged down Yachvili’s clearance kick to set up a good attack for the home side. After Mark Cueto was stopped just short of the line, Flood stylishly swept the ball out to the left and Ben Foden showed good strength to muscle his way over the line with two French defenders on his back.

Flood missed the conversion but almost set up a second try immediately after the restart.

With France on the racks, Flood carved a good line through the French defence and appeared to set up a glorious try with Ben Young’s releasing the lethal Chris Ashton’s iconic swan-dive under the posts, only to discover the pass from Flood was deemed forward by the Irish referee.

England were back in full control against France once more, dictating the play and committing good numbers at the breakdown.

Toby Flood limped off with an injury and was replaced by Jonny Wilkinson, with both players receiving a fantastic ovation from the Twickenham hospitality guests in the West Stand.

Wilkinson’s first action was a penalty to stretch England into a two score lead and to make himself the all time leading point scorer in International Rugby. He didn’t disappoint, surpassing kiwi Dan Carter’s previous total and sending the Twickenham fans into raptures in the process.

After decent chances were wasted at either end, the England v France full time whistle blew, leaving England needing only two more victories to complete a famous 6 Nations Grand Slam.

The crackling atmosphere of the match spilled back into the Twickenham hospitality restaurant after the game, where guests celebrated another fine England v France match between their two great sides.

To ensure nobody left with Les Bleus, a delectable post match buffet was served as hospitality guests enjoyed the complimentary bar well into the evening.

Our England v France hospitality packages at Twickenham remain a firm favourite, with corporate guests complimenting the high standard of rugby hospitality on offer in our luxurious Official Twickenham hospitality facility.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). Attendance: 80,002.

England – Tries: Foden. Conversions: none. Penalties: Flood (3) Wilkinson.

France – Tries: none. Conversions: none. Penalties: Yachvili (3).

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the upcoming RBS Six Nations Internationals