England held up their end of the bargain in the Six Nations title race with a merciless 68-14 victory over Wales in Cardiff only for France to go on and crown themselves champions.

England were edged by France for the Guinness Six Nations title despite destroying Wales 68-14 in Cardiff.Steve Borthwick’s team finished in second place following France’s 35-16 bonus-point victory over Scotland in Paris having condemned Wales to a second successive wooden spoon and a 17th Test defeat on the bounce – a record for a tier one nation in the professional era.