England win thriller in Paris

England secured a remarkable Six Nations victory over France in Paris yesterday that could have profound implications on the future direction of the national team.

Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Ben Foden put England 14-3 ahead and when Tom Croft scored late on they led 24-15 with just five minutes remaining.

Wesley Fofana’s converted try in the corner brought France storming back into the game but Francois Trinh-Duc’s late drop-goal attempt fell short.

England, mathematically at least, will head into the final weekend with a shot at the title and Stuart Lancaster’s bid to become the next full-time coach is building momentum.

Never before have England won all three away fixtures in the same championship season and this remarkable triumph lifts Lancaster’s men up to fourth in the world.

If they can stay there for the rest of the year – admittedly a tough ask given the fixtures that lie ahead – England will be a top seed at their home World Cup in 2015.

The expectation is that the Rugby Football Union want a coach with top-level international experience to lead England into the tournament but Jake White’s withdrawal appears to leave them with a choice between Lancaster and Nick Mallett.

Lancaster said last week that he has enough vision and self-belief to bridge the experience gap and become Martin Johnson’s permanent successor.

Nothing will have hammered his message home more profoundly to RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie than this away win in Paris.

Wales’ superior points difference means they have a strong grip on the championship crown but if France were to wreck their Grand Slam party on Saturday then England, mathematically at least, will be going for the title against Ireland.

“Fantastic achievement to come here with a side so young and inexperienced. I don’t think France had lost here for 10 games and we have won,” said Lancaster.

“Credit to the French – they came back at us – but I think we deserved it.”

Standings: Wales (4-0-0) 8; England (3-0-1) 6; Ireland (2-1-1) 5; France (2-1-1) 5; Scotland (0-0-4) 0; Italy (0-0-4) 0.

Next fixtures (Saturday): Italy vs Scotland; Wales vs France; England vs Ireland.