England defeat France in Guinness Six Nations
England sealed a second successive bonus-point victory in the Guinness Six Nations with a 44-8 victory over France at Twickenham Stadium.
Blistering start
Jones had targeted a fast opening at Twickenham with the selection of Chris Ashton but it was the man on the opposite wing who put England in front as the hosts made a lightning start for the second week running.
As he did last week, May crossed inside two minutes to give England a dream start.
Elliot Daly created it, breaking through midfield and after spotting space in behind France, May was fastest to his kick through and he dotted down for a 20th international try with 66 seconds on the clock.
Farrell compounded France’s misery with a penalty inside 10 minutes and although Morgan Parra reduced the deficit with his boot England’s fly half soon restored the eight-point advantage.
May day
As the action settled it was May who sparked the game into life adding to his growing reputation as one of the most feared wingers in world rugby with another fine finish.
England created an overlap on the left wing and Farrell took out the French midfield with a pin-point flat pass and May stepped Penaud before dotting down in the corner.
His hat trick was sealed inside 30 minutes with Ashton the creator.
Ashton, making his first Six Nations start since 2013, spotted space in behind the French defence and after dinking a ball through, May was quickest to it and he slid over for a third try which Farrell converted.
With the game seemingly drifting away from France, Penaud went over in the corner finishing off Yoann Huget's break to give them some hope.
However, it was England who ended half in the ascendancy, Ashton reacting quickest to Youngs up and under and following Kyle Sinckler’s selfless pass, Slade darted through to seal the bonus point.
Clinical England
Jones has long urged his side to find a clinical edge and it was evident on Sunday with captain Farrell the driving force behind it.
Ashton was denied the opportunity of a dream return to the competition as he was taken out by Gael Fickou with the try line at his mercy following Slade's interception inside England's half. Referee Nigel Owens adjudged a probable try was denied by the illegal tackle with a penalty try awarded.
Fickou was sent to the sin bin as France's problems mounted and England took advantage of the extra man. Farrell finished off his own quick tap and after kicking through he was was first to the ball for a sixth home try, which he also converted.
Wasps scrum half Dan Robson was introduced for his long-awaited debut with 10 minutes remaining as England closed out the game with attention now turning to round three and a trip to Cardiff to take on Wales on Saturday 23 February.
TEAMS
England: 15. Elliot Daly (Wasps), 14. Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), 12. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), 11. Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), 10. Owen Farrell (Saracens), 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) 1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens), 2. Jamie George (Saracens), 3. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), 4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), 5. George Kruis (Saracens), 6. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), 8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens
Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), 17. Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), 18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), 19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps), 20. Nathan Hughes (Wasps), 21. Dan Robson (Wasps), 22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers), 23. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
France: 15. Yoann Huget (Stade Toulousain), 14. Damian Penaud (ASM Clermont Auvergne), 13. Mathieu Bastareaud (RC Toulon) 12. Geoffrey Doumayrou (Stade Rochelais), 11. Gael Fickou (Stade Francais), 10. Camille Lopez (ASM Clermont Auvergne), 9. Morgan Parra (ASM Clermont Auvergne), 1. Jefferson Poirot (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), 2. Guilhem Guirado (RC Toulon) (c), 3. Demba Bamba (CA Brive), 4. Sébastien Vahaamahina (ASM Clermont Auvergne), 5. Felix Lambey (Lyon OU), 6. Yacouba Camara (Montpellier), 7. Arthur Iturria (ASM Clermont Auvergne), 8. Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)
Replacements: 16. Pierre Bourgarit (Stade Rochelais), 17. Dany Priso (Stade Rochelais), 18. Dorian Aldegheri (Stade Toulousain), 19. Paul Willemse (Montpellier), 20. Grégory Alldritt (Stade Rochelais), 21. Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain), 22. Romain Ntamack (Stade Toulousain), 23. Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain)
