Eddie Jones has thrown down the gauntlet by insisting England grabbed a head start on France in the race for the 2023 World Cup.

Tries from Anthony Watson and Maro Itoje helped England edge out the resurgent French 23-20 at Twickenham, ending Les Bleus’ Six Nations Grand Slam hopes.

Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud crossed for France, but the visitors ran out of steam and England’s savvier game management steered them back to winning ways.

“If we knew that, Owen would have had his notebook out and made a note of when he could have challenged the referee.

“I thought it was just T20 cricket, but it’s a new one isn’t it?!”

France may have lost the chance for a Grand Slam but can still claim the title, leaving head coach Fabien Galthie demanding his players stay positive despite defeat.

“It was not the management at the end of the match that cost us, the problem was the penalty on one of our scrums, a kick that didn’t find touch, and things that went wrong earlier on the pitch,” said Galthie.

“We didn’t really structure well enough our defence, especially the last English action that allowed them to score their second try.”