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This time it was France's turn to score the last minute try and conversion that edged a close non-cap match at Allianz Stadium.
This time it was France's turn to score the last minute try and conversion that edged a close non-cap match at Allianz Stadium.
On a roasting day in London, both teams matched each other for dominance, attacking play, and defensive lapses
They also incurred a 20-minute red card apiece. England wing Immanuel-Feyi-Waboso walked in the first half, and France substitute Cameron Woki followed him in the second.
For England Seb Atkinson continued his Gloucester form in the centre, while France scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec showed he should be considered a rival to Antione Dupont and Maxime Lucu.
There was much to ponder for England coach Steve Borthwick, and his French equivalent Fabien Galthie, even if this was more about squad depth rather than additions to their starting XVs.
RAPID START
Feyi-Waboso nearly gave Steve Borthwick’s side a flying start, but he failed to control the ball over the line.
Instead, it was France who took a grip. Hooker Gaëtan Barlot was driving over after the French pack got motoring with a rolling maul.
Fullback Théo Attissogbé broke the England line and sent the ball back to second row Hugo Auradou who raced away to score.
It wasn’t a great period for England. Ben Spencer and George Ford weren’t gelling, and the French pack had the scent of rosbif in their nostrils.
Nonetheless, Borthwick will be pleased how his team weathered the storm and turned the match on its head.
First Tom Willis burrowed over, then Alex Coles pounced from close range after Seb Atkinson had punched a hole through France’s rearguard.
WEATHERING THE STORM
Then came Feyi-Waboso’s red after a flying, neck tackle on France flyhalf Antoine Hastoy. It was more clumsy than deliberate, but in a match with more riding on it might have incurred a full fat red.
Instead, it was off to the bunker, and they barely needed 30 seconds to upgrade the card.
It didn’t hinder England though. On the stroke of halftime Arkinson somehow didn’t finish another break, despite appearing to be over the line.
Instead, he popped the ball to Joe Carpenter whose finish gave England an improbable 17-12 lead at halftime.
LATE CHARGE
Ford missed his second conversion, and soon after halftime shanked a straightforward penalty.
By now the heat was unrelenting, the benches were put to use and the pace slowed.
Woki joined Feyi-Waboso on the naughty step for an elbow to Jamie George’s head.
Borthwick had to press reserve scrumhalf Raffi Quirke into action on the wing and move Henry Slade to fullback after Carpenter reported a tight hamstring.
The match reignited thanks to an Alex Dombrandt try at the end of a fine attacking move.
England couldn’t hold out though.
Paul Mallez bundled over for France, and as their pack ramped up the pressure, a series of penalties allowed Les Bleus the chance to nick it after fulltime though.
They duly obliged when Romain Taofifénua powered through from short range to draw level. Le Garrec then applied the coup de grace.