\n<\/p>\n
Fine margins are often the difference between a title-winning side and one still building towards it.<\/p>\n
Thomas Ramos’ last-gasp penalty to win the championship for France came after a handful of moments England will replay in their minds for a while.<\/p>\n
Henry Pollock did brilliantly to steal the ball late on but, instead of taking contact and securing it, he tried to move it and possession was lost.<\/p>\n
Ollie Chessum might also look back and think he could have edged a little closer to the posts to make the kick easier for Fin Smith, who himself will be frustrated at leaving points out there.<\/p>\n
Those are the moments you write down and burn into your memory, because when they come around again – and they always do in Test rugby – you want the instinct to be automatic.<\/p>\n
The best teams make winning those moments a habit.<\/p>\n
Just look at South Africa at the 2023 World Cup – three knockout wins by a single point.<\/p>\n
That is not luck. That is a team that understand exactly how to manage pressure.<\/p>\n
England had been through a sticky spell and this performance gives them something real to build on heading into the summer.<\/p>\n
When this squad meet up again for the tour to South Africa, there should be a real sense of belief.<\/p>\n
They have shown they can challenge the very best teams in the world. Now it is about learning how to close out those pressure moments when they come.<\/p>\n
Another area that will need attention is opposition analysis.<\/p>\n
France exposed England a couple of times in the first half with tries straight from set-piece starter plays.<\/p>\n
At this level, that is inexcusable. Louis Bielle-Biarrey chasing on to kicks through is something France have done all championship.<\/p>\n
Those details matter. Fix them, combine that with the intensity England showed in Paris, and suddenly you have a team not just competing with the best, but capable of beating the best.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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