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 0-12 France XV, 22 mins
Coles cleanly claims the lineout, the maul is stopped so they pop to Feyi-Waboso who rides a challenge. Penalty advantage for offside against Fickou and it’s take after a knock-on. Another lineout. Is this the moment?
England XV 0-12 France XV, 21 mins
George with a good gain-line carry before Ford switches play with a cross-field bomb that Le Garrec brilliantly takes ahead of Roebuck. England had a penalty anyway after Fickou was pinged and they kick to the corner.
The noise rises at Allianz Stadium. Big opportunity.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 19 mins
Coles disrupts the French lineout, forcing Auradou to knock on. A few cheers from the English forwards at that turnover.
They then go sideways at a scrum, so we get another reset. Lucky us... Penalty advantage for England, which they take after a short attack with Slade down the blindside goes nowhere. Good territory gain as they earn the lineout near the French 22.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 16 mins
Big carries from Willis and Isiekwe before Hill runs a lovely line to make yards. But Feyi-Waboso spills trying to scythe through a gap after collecting a blocked Ford kick.
The precision not quite there for England so far.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 14 mins
Another high bomb put up by Hastoy and Moustin out-competes Carpenter to catch it cleanly. The Sale full back is struggling so far.
A knock-on though, so first scrum of the day. And we immediately get a reset... Quelle surprise!
Second time lucky? Nope. Collapses and free-kick awarded to England for too much French movement pre-engagement. A quick kick to try and catch Les Bleus napping but it bounces into the in-goal area.
England XV 0-12 France XV, 11 mins
England really need to settle here. France have been so clinical so far.
But another mistake as Carpenter has a foot in touch when catching the ball and it’s a France lineout on halfway.
TRY! England XV 0-12 France XV (Hugo Auradou, 10 mins)
France’s kicking from hand has been good so far, mainly off 9 with Le Garrec. Attissogbe then brilliantly claims the ball in the air.
England win it back as Carpenter catches but he’s isolated, loses the ball at the breakdown and Attissogbe then slips between tacklers and suddenly he’s racing into the 22.
Space ahead, he pops the pass to the supporting Hugo Auradou and it’s a second try as the lock rumbles over. Simple Le Garrec conversion and England look stunned here
TRY! England XV 0-5 France XV (Gaetan Barlot, 7 mins)
Good lineout by France, Auradou jumps and the maul marches again. This time it’s unstoppable.
Gaetan Barlot stays on his feet, breaks off the collapsing maul and powers over the line! First blood Les Bleus.
Tricky kick out on the right for Le Garrec and it’s just wide. Still a five-pointer
England XV 0-0 France XV, 6 mins
England compound a penalty with a penalty as Coles is pinged for entering the maul illegally from the side and France have the lineout in the 22. Again the French maul marches, again an English indiscretion.
Five-metre lineout and France are knocking on the door... Will anyone answer?
England XV 0-0 France XV, 4 mins
England looks dangerous with ball in hand. Roebuck wins the aerial ball to set up another attack and the white shirts flow forward.
Brilliantly read by Le Garrec though as he shoots out of the line, slows the carrier down who gets isolated and holds on. Penalty Les Blues, who can clear. Neatly done by the French scrum half.
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