Match-winner Croft hails side’s massive effort

England flanker Tom Croft described their thrilling 24-22 win over France in Paris as “absolutely massive” and another big step forward for the new-look side.

Croft’s try with 10 minutes left helped England claim their third away win of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship and lifted them up to second in the table behind Wales, who beat Stuart Lancaster’s side 19-12 at Twickenham last time out.

Croft, whose side held off a late France fightback, said: “It’s absolutely massive, we said after the last match against Wales that we have to take that extra step when it comes to seeing teams off.

“We really dug in, it was close at times.

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“It was massive effort from the boys, it was great to have the English support over here in France and it’s another great step for this side.

“As a team performance it was absolutely huge today and obviously we’ve got another tough test at home against Ireland next week.”

Croft added of England’s performances in the competition: “We’re a very tight-knit group. We’ve only been together for this tournament and we’ve come on leaps and bounds.”

Fly-half Owen Farrell, who converted all three of England’s tries from Croft, Ben Foden and Manu Tuilagi as well as a penalty for a nine-point haul, added: “It’s massive to come here and get a win like that, they’ve not lost here in I don’t know how many years.

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“For us to turn up and do that to them, and play like we did, is very exciting.

“I feel very privileged to play at a stadium like this.”

Farrell also insisted England were confident in the lead-up to the game that they could come away with a victory.

He said: “We always felt we could (win), we’ve got great belief in this team and we work hard for each other, we fight and we’ve got good values about us.”

Asked about his side showing what they are capable of in attack after scoring three tries in Paris, he added: “We gel more and more every week and it’s just come together today.”