Social media was buzzing as England kept their hopes of winning the Guinness Six Nations alive with victory over Wales after France produced a stunning performance to beat Scotland in Edinburgh.
Eddie Jones’ men had Harlequins to thank as Alex Dombrandt’s try and six penalties from fly-half Marcus Smith cancelled out scores from Josh Adams, Nick Tompkins and Kieran Hardy.
Ben Youngs also came off the bench to win his 115th cap for England, breaking the men’s record previously held by Jason Leonard, as the home side prevailed 23-19 in front of more than 81,000 fans at Twickenham.
And we start with the England team themselves, as they celebrated an impressive victory against Wayne Pivac’s side.
This is what it means π
πΊ @itvrugby #ENGvWAL | @sixnationsrugby pic.twitter.com/1YcV5Lfqbj
β England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 26, 2022
There was also royalty in the stands as England got their campaign back on track in front of a packed Twickenham.
Great to have The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the Rugby Football Union, and The Duke of Cambridge, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union at Twickenham today. #ENGvWAL pic.twitter.com/pD2wMG32Ai
β England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 26, 2022
Meanwhile, former England fly-half Andy Goode took some time out to Tweet his verdict on the game, echoing the thoughts of most watching on.
Enthralling game at Twickenham, some good stuff, some errors and who knows what was happening at the breakdown. Wales fought back well but we had just too much! #ENGvWAL
β Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 26, 2022
It was a special day for England men’s new most-capped player Ben Youngs after he broke Jason Leonard’s record.
A special day for the Youngs’ πͺ#ENGvWAL | #BenYoungs115 pic.twitter.com/szA3btd6X1
β England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 26, 2022
Todays achievement is as much my familyβs moment as it is mine. Itβs a reflection of them because without the support they give me Iβd never achieve it. I have the love and respect from my teammates and those who matter to me and I donβt wish for anything more then that.πΉ pic.twitter.com/86IelbqDBM
β Ben Youngs (@benyoungs09) February 26, 2022
Alex Cuthbert also lit up Twickenham as he won his 50th cap for Wales.
"I thought Alex, in his 50th game was immense"
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac on wing Alex Cuthbert's performance against England π pic.twitter.com/xClrFpcS0M
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) February 26, 2022
Alex Cuthbert – nine carries, 117 metres.
A shining light and the only Welshman England haven't been able to contain.
— Matthew Southcombe (@MattSouth7) February 26, 2022
And there was one very special message of support for Cuthbert ahead of the game, with teammate Leigh Halfpenny sending his best wishes.
Good luck @WelshRugbyUnion today π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ Huge congrats to @acuthbert11 winning his 50th capππ»
β Leigh Halfpenny (@LeighHalfpenny1) February 26, 2022
Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match Marcus Smith played a crucial role in the win, staying calm under pressure to kick 18 points, and he was ecstatic after the whistle blew.
βItβs a dream come true to play for England. Iβm loving every minute of it.β
Marcus Smith reflects on #ENGvWAL & playing for England π¬
π₯ @ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/8I5ePANNnV
β England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 26, 2022
For all the talk of the rivalry between England and Wales, there is also a considerable amount of respect.
Thank you @WelshRugbyUnion π€
Good luck for the rest of the @SixNationsRugby. pic.twitter.com/kN42cbU0Ax
β England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 26, 2022
France put on a splendid display of their skill and power to win 36-17 in Edinburgh but were nonetheless full of praise for their opponents after the full-time whistle blew.
π€π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Thanks @Scotlandteam on welcoming us again perfectly. Murrayfield is an amazing place to play rugby. β€οΈ We will be back ! #ECOFRA #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/A6GdThHauj
β France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 26, 2022
This moment of magic from Antoine Dupont had the whole of social media agasp as the 2020 Player of the Championship and reigning World Rugby Player of the Year cut through the hosts.
It’s almost as if time stood still for Antoine Dupont…β³ #Breitling #GuinnessSixNations #SquadOnAMission pic.twitter.com/PPLNsRx7QK
β Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 26, 2022
It must be crazy being Dupont, literally every rugby team in the world wants him. And every kid growing up playing aspires to be him! #SCOvFRA
β Clare Molloy (@ClareeMolloy) February 26, 2022
Dupont is ridiculous.
Time and space meaning nothing to him.
β Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) February 26, 2022
He certainly had the royal seal of approval after the game as Princess Anne presented him with the Auld Alliance Trophy following France’s 36-17 success.
A great moment between Antoine Dupont & Anne, Princess Royal π #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/5GtDVZmugh
β Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 26, 2022
Romain Ntamack tweeted his delight at the result after the match.
Big win in π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ @FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/440ADqiMJB
β Romain Ntamack (@RomainNtamack) February 26, 2022
As did several other French stars.
β€οΈ https://t.co/Xe4QM1yn31
β Cameron Woki (@cameronwoki) February 26, 2022
Quel bonheur, quelle fiertΓ© ππ€β€οΈ#XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV #ECOFRA pic.twitter.com/HVTWOyHUbK
β William Servat (@WilliamServat) February 26, 2022
International stars such as former Wales captain Sam Warburton heaped praise on the French performance.
Oh my days – France are good!! π«π·
β Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) February 26, 2022
And after another stunning display, it’s hard to see who can stand in France’s way of a first Grand Slam since 2010.
β β β ππ¨π ππ¨π§π ! 3e victoire !
Bravo les garΓ§ons ! β€οΈπ«π·#ECOFRA #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/ajmhnYUaRrβ France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 26, 2022