Fine margins are often the difference between a title-winning side and one still building towards it.
Thomas Ramos’ last-gasp penalty to win the championship for France came after a handful of moments England will replay in their minds for a while.
Henry Pollock did brilliantly to steal the ball late on but, instead of taking contact and securing it, he tried to move it and possession was lost.
Ollie Chessum might also look back and think he could have edged a little closer to the posts to make the kick easier for Fin Smith, who himself will be frustrated at leaving points out there.
Those are the moments you write down and burn into your memory, because when they come around again – and they always do in Test rugby – you want the instinct to be automatic.
The best teams make winning those moments a habit.
Just look at South Africa at the 2023 World Cup – three knockout wins by a single point.
That is not luck. That is a team that understand exactly how to manage pressure.
England had been through a sticky spell and this performance gives them something real to build on heading into the summer.
When this squad meet up again for the tour to South Africa, there should be a real sense of belief.
They have shown they can challenge the very best teams in the world. Now it is about learning how to close out those pressure moments when they come.
Another area that will need attention is opposition analysis.
France exposed England a couple of times in the first half with tries straight from set-piece starter plays.
At this level, that is inexcusable. Louis Bielle-Biarrey chasing on to kicks through is something France have done all championship.
Those details matter. Fix them, combine that with the intensity England showed in Paris, and suddenly you have a team not just competing with the best, but capable of beating the best.
