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:
England XV 19-12 France XV, 47 mins
The early French fluency has deserted them here and England look sharper. Good compete by Carpenter in the air to get the ball back on England’s side.
Ford’s cross-field bomb puts pressure on Hastoy and the ball squirts out of play.
A slew of changes for France including Romain Taofifenua and Cameron Woki coming on. a bit of veteran nous.
MISSED PENALTY! England XV 19-12 France XV (George Ford, 45 mins)
Wide to the right but closer than the ten-metre line for George Ford. However, it slips wide of the post and the chance goes begging
England XV 19-12 France XV, 44 mins
Erdocio pinged for foul play at the lineout so another penalty for England.
And they’ll go for the posts here. With 14 men, leading by seven points they’re going to try and play the scoreboard game.
England XV 19-12 France XV, 43 mins
England launch an attack, win a penalty and have a platform in the 22.
They’re not going anywhere though so Ford flicks a kick over the top and it bounds into touch five metres out. Classy stuff. Pressure all on France but they gather and exit.
KICK-OFF! England XV 19-12 France XV
Back underway. Remember, England are down to 14 men for a little while still after the Feyi-Waboso red
HALF-TIME! England XV 19-12 France XV
Well, that was a slightly bizarre half but from 12-0 down, England lead 19-12 at the break.
They’re down to 14 men due to Feyi-Waboso’s red card but do have a lead to protect at least
TRY! England XV 19-12 France XV (Joe Carpenter, 40 mins)
And somehow, England score just before half-time.
Ford fires a flat pass and Atkinson slices through a gap. It looks like he’s reached the line and scored but is inches short as he pops from the floor. Luckily Joe Carpenter is on hand to catch and barrel over to complete the job.
Ford adds the extras and somehow 14-man England lead by seven!
England XV 12-12 France XV, 39 mins
Bodies everywhere as Ford gets wiped out and Spencer also goes down during a passage of play. George playing scrum half temporarily!
England still have the ball, up near the 22
RED CARD! England XV 12-12 France XV (Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 38 mins)
England earn the scrum penalty as France collapse it. The hosts are on top in that facet of the game, for sure.
And now we hear about Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s bunker review. They’ve deemed it has a high degree of danger, he wasn’t in control, and it’s upgraded to a red card. Remember it’s 20-minute red cards these days, so England will be able to bring ona replacement once that’s up but Feyi-Waboso’s day is done.
A sad return from injury for the winger.
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