England XV vs France XV live: Result and reaction as Steve Borthwick’s side lose Twickenham thriller
England XV 24-26 France XV: Les Bleus scored two tries in the final five minutes to edge the non-capped clash at Twickenham
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was sent off on his return from injury as England’s summer tour preparations were dealt a major blow during a 26-24 warm-up defeat to a France rugby XV.
The Exeter wing – appearing for the first time since dislocating a shoulder in December – received a 20-minute red card for a high tackle on Les Bleus fly-half Antoine Hastoy in the first half of the non-capped clash at Allianz Stadium.
With 22-year-old Feyi-Waboso facing a suspension, head coach Steve Borthwick is due to name his squad for next month's tour of Argentina and the United States on Monday.
England were at least on course to depart for South America in victorious fashion but, having led by 12 points going into the final 10 minutes, late converted tries from Paul Mallez and Romain Taofifenua snatched success for Fabien Galthie's side in front of a crowd of 34,129.
Scores from Tom Willis, Alex Coles, international newcomer Joe Carpenter and replacement Alex Dombrandt initially turned the contest in the hosts' favour following early efforts from French pair Gaetan Barlot and Hugo Auradou.
Follow all of the latest with our live blog below:
Tyler Duguid: France ‘showed a lot of resilience’
Canadian-born Tyler Duguid pulled on the french jersey for the first time today and has had his say about the dramatic victory.
“I’m sure we’re very happy. We showed a lot of resilience in that game,” said Duguid.
“We were down for a bit and with that card it was difficult but we came back, we showed intensity together and resilience in the very last two, three minutes.
“With just that one week of preparation, we really put it together well, we really made up for not playing together long with a lot of intensity, a lot of teamwork.
“It’s my first game at this level and its incredibly fast, it’s new but I hope to get a little more used to it. It’s a good start.”
More from Jamie George
Here’s more from co-captain George.
On the conditions, he said: “It was hot, it was very hot. We were very well looked after by our backroom staff but yeah, we had to dig in at stages, there was a couple of long phases that were hard work.
“We’re in a good place. We wanted to win today, we always want to win when we put on an England shirt, so we’re disappointed with that, but it was a good start.
“We haven’t been here a huge amount of time, I only came in on Wednesday, so we’ve got a lot of growth. We saw how good Argentina were last night but I think there’s a lot to be excited about.”
Jamie George reflects on England defeat
Speaking after the game, England co-captain Jamie George said: “I just said to the team then, I was really proud of a lot of what we did. I think it showed we’ve got a lot of potential, I think it showed the difference of when we’re right on it and when we’re not.
“We allowed France back into the game and we’ve got a lot to fix up with our maul.
“That’s the bare minimum of what this team should be about - character, fight, spirit. Really pleased with that.
“Really pleased with some of the big performances, younger players stepping up. Guy Pepper, I thought was outstanding today. Really exciting that those guys are going to now kick on and have a big impact in Argentina too.”
WATCH: England score four tries but lose to France
Here were England’s four tries today, which proved to be not enough to overcome France
A rollercoaster for England
Well, that was something of a rollercoaster for both teams.
France went 12-0 up early on as England started slowly but the hosts hit back with 24 unanswered points despite Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s 20-minute red card.
France then received a 20-minute red of their own for Cameron Woki yet snatched two late tries to turn things around in dramatic fashion.
England XV 24-26 France XV
A frustrating result for England to lose it at the death when they had the lead so late on.
Plenty of good stuff from England’s fringe players and some will have definitely earned a place on the plane to the Americas this summer. But the way they lost it will sting
FULL-TIME! England XV 24-26 France XV
Incredible, incredible stuff. France snatch victory at the death. They trailed by 12 points into the final five minutes but two late tries won it for them.
What a match
TRY! England XV 24-26 France XV (Romain Taofifenua, 80 mins)
France drive for the line AND THEY’VE SCORED! The Blue wave gets over. Try awarded!
The giant frame of Romain Taofifenua gets over the line and it’s a conversion bang in front.
Antoine Hastoy nails the kick and France have snatched victory! Wow. What a comeback.
England XV 24-19 France XV, 80 mins
HEAVE comes the cry. Maul collapsed illegally by England. Penalty coming for France.
They attack from five metres without consequence. Jauneau and Van Tonder both have a dart.
One metre out now...
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