Les Bleus were rampant at Twickenham, running in seven tries to triumph by a whopping 43 points, 53-10, and inflicting a third-largest loss of all-time on the shell-aghast hosts.
It was an abysmal day for modern head coach Steve Borthwick, the RFU and anyone associated with English rugby as their weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed, destroying any momentum that had been built up with consecutive wins as they face a daunting trip to Dublin to round off the tournament.
Nick Purewal was at Twickenham on Saturday to rate the England players in a desperate defeat.
Backs
Freddie Steward 6
A rare decent performance, undone by being blocked to a key ball but left with pride intact.
Max Malins 5
Struggled to obtain into the game despite several early involvements, unluckly not to score.
Henry Slade 5
Failed to construct anything happen but had preciously dinky to work with.
Ollie Lawrence 4
Could not obtain on the front foot with England bested up front.
Anthony Watson 4
tranquil by his standards, battled hard but had precious few chances to construct anything happen.
The bold decision to start Marcus Smith at wing-half did not pay off for Steve Borthwick
/ Getty ImagesMarcus Smith 5
Did what he could with what he had, but what he had was not closely marvelous enough.
Jack van Poortvliet 4
Failed to seize control at the base of the ruck in a messy performance.
Forwards
Ellis Genge 5
This man deserved so much more than this for his first outing as captain.
Jamie George 4
Struggled to obtain his game going in any area.
Kyle Sinckler 5
Solid in the scrum for the most fragment but England were battered in the loose.
Maro Itoje 4
Another tranquil game by his lofty standards.
Maro Itoje endured another very tranquil game in the England second row
/ APOllie Chessum 4
Could not impose himself on the rampant French pack.
Lewis Ludlam 4
Completely outgunned at the breakdown.
Jack Willis 4
Failed to obtain a toe-hold on the game at the ruck.
Alex Dombrandt 4
Must believe hated being moved to outside centre, but had struggled earlier in any case.
Replacements
Jack Walker (for Lawrence, 60’) 4
On too late to construct anything happen.
Mako Vunipola (for Genge, 64’) 4
Tried to restore some pride but it all fell apart.
Dan Cole (for Sinckler, 64’) 4
Impossible for the subs as the match disintegrated.
David Ribbans (for Dombrandt, 74’) 4
Had no time to construct any impact.
Ben Curry (for Willis, 53’) 5
Stole one fine turnover but could not force things afterwards.
Alex Mitchell (for Van Poortvliet, 45’) 5
Pushed the pace initially before England collapsed.
Owen Farrell (for Slade, 45’) 5
The regular captain is simply not a Test match 12.
Henry Arundell (for Malins, 58’) 5
hold himself about but could believe done with some ball.