France ended their 18-year wait for a Six Nations victory at Twickenham with a record 53-10 bonus-point triumph on Saturday to keep their title hopes alive.

Les Bleus crossed over three times in the first half and were 24 points ahead at the midway point – the biggest half-time margin any side has had over England in the tournament.

The visitors added four more after the restart, with Thibaud Flament, Charles Ollivon and Damian Penaud helping themselves to two tries apiece, while Thomas Ramos – who started the rout – finished with 23 points to his name.

A famous victory moves France level on points with Ireland, who are away at Scotland on Sunday, while England's campaign is effectively over with one round of games to go.

France were up and running inside five minutes following a rapid break as Ethan Dumortier fed Ramos to touch down and subsequently add the extras.

Ramos added to his tally from a penalty and Flament found a gap to power over soon after as France took complete control.

Marcus Smith temporarily reduced the deficit, only for Ramos to add another penalty of his own, before Ollivon smashed through Smith on the line to add to England's pain.

England looked dejected when Ramos converted again, but they started the second half well and, after Max Malins had one ruled out, Freddie Steward used his power to dot down.

Any hope of a miraculous comeback were ended eight minutes later when Ramos knocked a kick over the top into the path of Flament to race through.

The bonus point was secured at that stage but France were far from finished, with Ollivon alert at the breakdown – unlike England's players – to reach over and double his try count.

Penaud touched down under the posts and there was still time to add another try – France's seventh of the day – in one of England's darkest days in the tournament's history.

England humiliated at home

The sides entered this contest level on 10 points apiece, but there was an almighty gulf between them from start to finish.

It was a record loss for England at Twickenham, the 53 points conceded overtaking the 42 South Africa scored in November 2008.

France's stunning display ensures Grand Slam-chasing Ireland cannot be crowned champions on Sunday. All eyes will now be on Edinburgh, with a Scotland victory setting up a three-way shoot-out for the title on the final weekend.

Ramos stars for faultless France

France had three different players score two tries apiece for the first time ever in a Six Nations match, with Ramos the other name on the scoresheet.

Ramos got the ball rolling for France – who have now won eight of their past nine Six Nations matches – early on and was near enough faultless throughout.

The full-back's haul of 23 points was made up of one try, two penalties and six conversions, the only blemish coming from his final kick late on after Penaud's second try.

Key Opta Stats: History made by France

- France had lost each of their last nine games at Twickenham before registering their heaviest ever Test win over England, beating their previous record win in the fixture by a margin of 18 points (31-6 in 2006).
- Les Bleus saw three different players score two tries against England, the first time they have ever had three separate players register a brace in a single Six Nations match.
- France attempted 41 kicks in play, their most in the Six Nations since a 2010 clash with Wales (also 41).
- Flament has scored two tries in a single match for the first time in his Test career and is now the highest scoring forward in this year's Six Nations with three.
- Steward has now scored a try in each of his two Six Nations matches against France; he also carried for more metres (98) and beat more defenders (six) than any other player on the pitch.

What's next? 

England have a week to get this defeat out of their system ahead of facing Ireland in Dublin, while France welcome Wales – who got off the mark with victory over Italy earlier on Saturday – to the Stade de France.