Robshaw: Twickers a RWC fortress
Captain Chris Robshaw shrugged off England's latest Six Nations heartbreak to claim that victory over France was a huge step towards making Twickenham a real fortress come the World Cup.
The Harlequins flank had mixed emotions after a monumental effort from his team to get the 26-point win over France which would have gifted them the title at Twickenham.
But an incredible match which saw England run in seven of the 12 tries on show and a 55-35 win over their rivals, ended with Ireland being crowned Northern Hemisphere champions.
It was a fourth successive missed opportunity for England who have finished runners-up now in each tournament since Stuart Lancaster took charge from Martin Johnson following the 2011 World Cup.
But Robshaw focused on the positives of making it a third home win in the tournament and beating a team who will be a major rival come England 2015 in September.
He insisted: "To score 50-odd points against France was a cracking effort but once again we have been pipped at the post. Of course it is tough to take and all the guys are devastated in the dressing room.
"It is never easy to take and because this one happened at home it is probably the toughest of the lot.
"We thought we had the ascendancy and could get the points needed. But we just fell short after a massive effort from the guys. I'm proud of them.
"We have won another Twickenham game and we are building up a head of steam at the stadium going into the World Cup, which is a positive. We are playing well at home.
"That was the loudest I've heard at Twickenham, ever. But at the end we have to look at the things we did wrong and chances we left on the field against other teams. That was what cost us. We should have got a couple more tries last week but it's now important to look forward.
"This side has proved it can score plenty of tries when we get the chance on the big occasion and the World Cup is not far away now.
"We are heading in the right direction."
Head coach Lancaster admitted: "Losing against Ireland cost us the title. But winning and losing a title is not just down to one single thing on the field.
"It's tough to take and the players have to learn these tough lessons. But the ultimate feeling is one of pride from what the guys did today.
"It's hard to try and beat a quality side like France by 26 points. They won't just come here and roll over for you. They may not have been able to win the title but they still played with great pride and determination.
"We have to be more consistent to win a tournament like this or a World Cup. But we have six months to work on things and we will be ready by the time the World Cup comes round.
"I am positive. We've scored 18 tries this year compared to 14 last time. We also have the likes of Joe Launchbury and Manu Tuilagi to come back into the team.
"It was a cup final atmosphere and a highly pressurised one. But we scored 55 points and many fine tries."
France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre, whose team finished fourth in the table, insisted: "It was an amazing game but we were like Father Christmas. We gave away tries like presents to them and that is not good enough against England at Twickenham.
"I remember a crazy match like this one as a player but never a coach. But the fact is we lost. The score means it was an exciting game with lots of good rugby but also not so good defending. So it is still not what I am looking for from the team."
Agence France-Presse
