England are the most successful team of the Six Nations era, having won six Championships in the previous two decades and, in doing so, have scored some extraordinary tries.
Whether it’s speedy wingers, tricky flankers or scampering scrum-halves, England have a barrel full of memorable scores in their locker.
Richard Hill v France – 2001
In the early noughties, there was nothing as watertight as England’s back row. Alongside Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio, former Saracens flanker Richard Hill was an immense talent.
Hill’s ability was well-rounded but it was his support play here that ensured a superb solo try against France.
The blind-side collected a pass from Austin Healey and out-sprinted four French defenders before diving over the line.
Mike Catt v France – 2001
Later in the same game, we saw the array of skills that Healey possessed. The former Leicester Tigers man started on the wing but finished the match at scrum-half.
With little on, Healey produced a sumptuous chip in behind to the on-sprinting Mike Catt to touch down and rubber-stamp a comprehensive victory over France.
Ben Cohen v Ireland – 2002
Perhaps England’s greatest try of the Six Nations era. Ben Cohen was simply the beneficiary of being the final man involved after 11 England players contributed.
Quick hands, deft offloads and sharp angles created havoc for the Ireland defence as England produced a try the Barbarians would be proud of.
Josh Lewsey v Italy – 2003
For a long time, Josh Lewsey was a constant presence in England’s back three. The former army officer’s speed, footwork and power made him perfect to fill in across the back line.
In England’s Grand Slam campaign of 2003, Lewsey was terrific – as proven here against Italy.
After being fed the ball from Matt Dawson deep inside his half, Josh Lewsey darted through a gap to burst upfield before using his dancing feet to evade Italy’s last man Mirco Bergamasco and slide over the line.
Dan Luger v Ireland – 2003
This try was all about the guile of Jonny Wilkinson. It might not be the most awe-inspiring of tries, but his contribution certainly fits that description.
Wilkinson’s shrewd pass through his fingers to prop Jason Leonard was precisely timed. Even Josh Lewsey’s neat pass to Dan Luger was delightful, allowing the replacement to walk in for a slick team try.
Jason Robinson v Wales – 2007
Jason Robinson’s blistering speed was a constant headache for his opponents but it was the work of scrum-half Harry Ellis that made this try so special.
Ellis spotted a gap in Wales’ back line to accelerate through and found Robinson out wide. The full-back then displayed immense strength to evade two defenders and finish across the line.
Chris Ashton v Italy – 2011
It was quite the afternoon at Twickenham for Chris Ashton as he ‘Swallow’ dived over four times in England’s 59-13 success in 2011.
To seal his fourth try – the best of the bunch – saw England steal a line-out on their own five-metre line and launch an immediate counter attack.
The ball went wide to Matt Banahan on the wing who burst through the line and found Ashton – as so often he was – on the inside. With nothing but clear space, he finished underneath the posts with his trademark ‘Swallow Dive’.
Danny Care v Ireland – 2014
Started, made and finished in Harlequins. Just across the road from the Stoop, Danny Care’s score had a lot to do with his club-mates at the time.
Chris Robshaw’s wonderfully-timed inside ball to Mike Brown allowed the full-back to accelerate ahead before finding Care on his inside to finish off the try.
It was the match-winning score as England beat Ireland 13-10 to clinch a fourth consecutive victory over them.
Elliot Daly v Wales – 2017
One of England’s most notable tries in the Six Nations.
A game-winning try…against Wales…in Cardiff…with five minutes remaining. It sounds like the type of dream Elliot Daly had as a child.
After Jonathan Davies’ clearing kick stayed infield, George Ford saw the opportunity to counter attack. The fly-half came forward before unleashing an excellent pass to his outside man, Owen Farrell, who in turn produced a great pass to Daly out wide.
Daly, with plenty still to do, put on the afterburners and beat Wales’ Alex Cuthbert on the outside to dot down in the corner. A once-in-a-lifetime moment for the England man.
Anthony Watson v Italy – 2018
Straight from the training ground.
It’s a coach’s dream when these tries come to fruition. As simple as they may look, the execution has to be nailed to perfection.
Here we saw England explode from line-out ball before slick work through the hands, accurate decoy running and pin-point finishing from Watson.
