Back to back wins for France over England

French fly-half Aureile Bailon contributed three penalties and a conversion in the game played once again in severely wet and windy conditions.

Both teams had named more experienced line-ups for this clash from the sides who played in mid-week, with France recalling their captain Marie Alice Yahe (pictured), but there was plenty of youth on show, with England capping five new players.

The game got underway in the midst of a torrential downpour but England played the conditions best early on and got off to a flying start with debutant flanker Alexandra Matthews scoring after just four minutes. Good work by centre Emily Scarratt gave England space in Frances 22 and fullback Kay Wilson was also instrumental in taking Englands attacking game forward. Georgina Roberts was in support and a nice inside pass then saw captain Sarah Hunter come close to the France try line. The 18-year-old Matthews then finished off Englands attacking move by muscling her way over the try line. With Scarratt converting England led 7-0.

France had their chances too, first missing a penalty on six minutes, but then fly-half Bailon made the most of a second attempt on 11 minutes to reduce the deficit to 7-3. Bailon also had a third attempt on 15 minutes but missed the effort.

France came close to scoring when Wilson was put under pressure in Englands 22. France overturned the ball in the ruck and recycled out to the midfield. A nice chip by Bailon handed France the opportunity to score, but Scarratt covered well in defence. But with Bailon converting a second penalty it was France who had the last word at half-time leaving just one point separating the two teams.

England came out in the second half firing and they made an immediate impression on the scoreboard. England were under pressure with France in their 22 but Scarratt was lucky to get the ball away and break through Frances defence to get the ball out to speedster Michael Staniford who charged 65 metres upfield. Frances backs didnt have Stanifords speed and the Wasps wing scored with relative ease. Scarratt, however, couldnt make the conversion.

France again struck back with Bailon adding another penalty to make the score 12-9 but England kept the score board ticking over with a 56th minute Scarratt penalty.

England, however, remained under constant pressure and French executed some powerful drives in their 22. Bailon was again at the heart of their attack and a nice chip through nearly saw France score, only for England to gather up the loose ball and save the try.

France still had the upper hand though and a series of powerful drives put them in real contention to take the lead. Englands defence held firm for some ten minutes but in the end Bailon chipped ahead again and this time wing Laureline Fourcade got on to the end of it and scored in the right corner. Bailon struck the conversion and although it hit the posts it bounced the right way leaving the home side to take a 16-15 lead for the first time with just ten minutes remaining.

England threw everything they had to make up the difference with all seven replacements now on the field and it looked like they had enough with some powerful drives in Frances 22. But Frances defence held firm as they were rallied on by the vociferous home crowd and they took the victory and the two series win over the reigning Six Nations champions.

England now move on to their three test series with New Zealand.

England:Kay Wilson, Katherine Merchant, Georgina Roberts, Emily Scarratt, Michaela Staniford, Kimberley Oliver, La Toya Mason, Rochelle Clark, Victoria Fleetwood, Laura Keates, Tamara Taylor, Rowena Burnfield, Alexandra Matthews, Marlie Packer Sarah Hunter

Substitutions: Turner for Fleetwood, Hunt for Mason (both HT), Crowley for Keates (55), Noel Smith for Matthews, Gallagher for Packer (both 59), Millar Mills for Burnfield, Large for Roberts (72).

France: Jessy Tremoulire, Laureline Fourcade, Marjourie Mayans, Laura Di Muzio, Diono Aguerre, Aureile Bailon, Alice Marie Yah, Helene Ezanno, Salles, Chobet, De Nada, Cyrielle Bouisset, Chatelier, Rodriguez, Claire Canal.

Substitutions: Galle Mignot, Elodie Portaries, Assa Kota, Audrey Forlani, Jennifer Troncy, Sandrine Agricole, Chloe Pelle