How a lapse in concentration nine months ago cost France the Six Nations title

Right now, as back then, France should not care. They have taken another step on a very particular route.

France's Arthur Retiere celebrates with his team after the game. But for leaving England get a losing bonus point in February, France would have won the title. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

Small margins. It turns out the final standings of the 2020 Six Nations were decided in Paris on February 2, less than a minute from the end of the final match of the Tournament's opening weekend.

France coach Fabien Galthie offered to lend Antoine Dupont his glasses after his star scrum half had kicked the ball out, thinking the game over, a minute too soon. His error gave opponents England the chance to take a losing bonus point that, nearly nine months later, would be crucial to deciding the tournament.