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Fighting England lose to France

11/08/2007

England's World Cup preparations suffered a blow today as a last-gasp Sebastien Chabal try gave France a 21-15 victory at Twickenham.

Although England failed to score a try, stand in fly-half Olly Barkley kept his side's noses in front by kicking four penalties.

And when Andy Gomarsall converted a drop goal to give the home side a 15-11 lead, it looked like England were on their way to a second World Cup warm-up win after last week's hammering of Wales.

But England failed to kill off the game despite coming close to scoring a try on numerous occasions and were punished by an adventurous French side who always looked threatening on the counter-attack.

England made nine changes from the side that beat Wales by a record margin the previous week and the feeling was that this was the last chance for many of the players to make coach Brian Ashton’s World Cup squad.

Barkley in particular did his chances no harm as he put in an assured display filling in for Jonny Wilkinson's boot. The Bath player gave England the lead after just eight minutes by kicking his first penalty.

But France responded through a try by the returning Fabien Pelous, who equalled the all-time French record of 111 caps by holding off the challenge of Josh Lewsey to edge France in front.

England looked dangerous going forward and made a number of breaks but failed to get over the line. They did earn themselves three more penalties which Barkley coolly converted, however.

With the clock winding down, England looked to be edging towards another morale-boosting win. But the French showed their famous flair and threw the ball out wide to Chabal who used all his strength to power through tackles by Lewsey and Nick Abendanon.

England may have lost but showed plenty of potential with a second-string side which will encourage coach Ashton ahead of the rematch against the French next week.

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