England celebrated becoming 2020 Guinness Six Nations champions as Eddie Jones’ side finally got their hands on the trophy during a presentation at their training base.
The Red Rose landed back home this morning after flying back from Rome, where they defeated Italy 34-5 in their final match of this year’s prolonged Championship.
Ireland’s subsequent 35-27 defeat to France in the final game on a thrilling Super Saturday then meant England were confirmed as champions for the third time in five years.
And the England players were able to fully embrace their status as 2020 Championship winners when they were awarded the trophy at their Lensbury Club training base in Teddington.
England will now have the rest of the week off before turning their attentions to the Autumn Nations Cup – and captain Owen Farrell hopes their Championship triumph can lift the nation.
“We know how difficult things are for everyone at home at the moment and we’ve been saying all through our training camps how we want to do our bit to make people smile,” said Farrell.
“Hopefully we’ve done that and we’ll do more of the same throughout the autumn. It’s a massive achievement for us as a group to win the Six Nations in the strangest year and circumstances.
“We really think we can continue to get better and achieve more for England.
“We’re turning our attentions now to the Autumn Nations Cup, we want consistent success and we’re working hard to be better in each and every game.”
A Ben Youngs double plus tries from Jamie George, Tom Curry and Henry Slade ensured England secured the bonus-point win they needed to put the pressure on Ireland in Paris.
Andy Farrell’s side needed a bonus-point win or a victory by seven points or more at the Stade de France to leapfrog England at the top of the standings.
But Les Bleus proved too strong and while they were unable to secure the 31-point winning margin needed to snatch the title themselves, their win handed the trophy to England.
