France vs. England: Score and Reaction from 2016 Six Nations Round 5

England clinched their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 13 years after defeating France 31-21 at the Stade de France on Saturday thanks to tries from Danny Care, Dan Cole and Anthony Watson, along with Owen Farrell's 16 points from the tee.

Head coach Eddie Jones saw his England side edge their way to an at-times nervous victory in the French capital, finishing the tournament with a deserving record of five wins from five.

Meanwhile, defeat for France meant they were condemned to a fifth-place finish, as Guy Noves' first Six Nations campaign as head coach of Les Bleus fizzled to an end in Paris despite Maxime Machenaud's seven penalties.

Simon Thomas of Wales Online outlined the scale of England's achievement: 

England's mission in coming to the French capital was simple, and coach Jones undoubtedly did not have to force his words in spelling it out to the team: win.

Except the boot of France scrum-half Machenaud did its bit to stunt that bid after opening the scoring with a penalty just two minutes in, only for England centre Farrell to cancel the score out and tie 3-3.

It was here that Care made his mark with a 45-metre break through French lines on the back of some dismally unaware rucking from the defending team, and the recalled No. 9 glided under the posts from distance.

As noted by Ian Stafford of KICCA, this was Care's moment in proving why he deserved to play his part in the England XV after losing his place to Ben Youngs earlier in the competition:

Farrell's laser-sighted kicking continued, as he slotted the extras before swiftly being called upon to do the same for a Cole try just eight minutes later.

While Care's 11th-minute score was smooth and seamless, Cole's was anything but, and he grunted over for a bulldozed finish that went to the TMO under suspicion of offside before passing with flying colours:

Machenaud converted three more penalties before the break, as Les Bleus trailed 17-12 at the halfway mark, and the game was far from beyond the hosts under a mountain of pressure from the Stade de France support.

Andy McGeady of the Irish Times highlighted just how close the gap was between the two teams, hinting at the fact England's Grand Slam, which might have seemed a foregone conclusion, was there to be lost:

And the pressure continued to swirl in Paris, with Machenaud and Farrell trading blows from the tee as France pulled themselves to within just two points of their guests at 20-18 down.

Travelling fans finally saw their nerves eased thanks to Watson's 55th-minute score in the left corner, again gifting Jones' men some daylight as they looked to see off the French threat.

Youngs, on as a substitute for Care early in the second period, advertised his own credentials with a grubber through for Watson, who has thrived in his meetings with France, according to OptaJonny:

A worrying incident just prior to the 70-minute mark saw Dylan Hartley take a knee to the back of his head in an attempt to bring down French prop Uini Atonio, and his withdrawal signalled the beginning of a tense final 10 minutes.

Fittingly, it was kicker Farrell who took over the armband in Hartley's absence, and he showed supreme cool by slotting a 45-metre penalty to once again put England a converted try ahead of their foes, per the British and Irish Lions:

At seven points ahead, the win wasn't yet assured, but replacement France prop Xavier Chiocci gifted Farrell the chance to put the finishing touches on their victory with just three minutes remaining.

The tighthead was shown a yellow card for pulling down at the maul, and a chorus of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" rang around the Stade de France after Farrell's fourth penalty of the night finally put the result to bed at 31-21.

Farrell contributed but one of the star performances, however, as the likes of Maro Itoje, George Kruis, fly-half Ford and Watson had matches to remember, continuing to herald a new generation of top England talent.

England coach Jones has the first trophy of his Red Rose tenure in tow, and a weight of expectancy now falls on the Australian's shoulders to ensure he continues his mastermind start in the position.