An inexperienced England XV were narrowly defeated in dramatic last-gasp fashion by their French counterparts in a thrilling non-cap international at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on Saturday. Romain Taofifenua’s late score converted by Antoine Hastoy saw an experimental Les Bleus side triumph 26-24 in south-west London in a game packed full of tries and incident, with two 20-minute red cards.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso saw his initial yellow for a dangerous high tackle on Hastoy upgraded in the bunker late in the first half, while after the interval Cameron Woki’s illegal clearout on Jamie George received the same treatment, cancelling out Nolann Le Garrec’s brilliant try. France had raced into an early two-try lead thanks to Gaetan Barlot and Hugo Auradou, but England hit back through Tom Willis and Alex Coles, leading at half-time thanks to Joe Carpenter.
Alex Dombrandt got their fourth try with Woki off the pitch, only for France to rally brilliantly with decisive late scores from Paul Mallez and the towering Taofifenua as they build-up to their three-Test tour of New Zealand next month. Borthwick will name his England squad on Monday for their two-match trip to Argentina that is followed by a one-off meeting with the USA, with Feyi-Waboso’s involvement now in doubt after he also surely wrecked any remaining Lions chances this summer.
England XV vs France XV highlights
- TRY! Taofifenua and Hastoy snatch last-gasp win
- TRY! Mallez has France back within five
- TRY! Dombrandt scores as Woki yellow upgraded to red
- TRY! Carpenter scores on stroke of half-time
- RED CARD! Feyi-Waboso yellow upgraded in bunker
- TRY! Coles gets England level
- TRY! Willis hits back for England
- TRY! Auradou doubles early France lead
- TRY! Barlot scores quickly for Les Bleus
England XV 24-26 France XV
17:15 , George FloodFull-time
Last-gasp heartbreak for England in a memorable non-cap international at Twickenham.
A very, very tough one for them to swallow.
I think I need a lie-down after that!
TRY! England XV 24-26 France XV | Romain Taofifenua 83'
17:14 , George Flood83 mins: France have won it right at the death!
England’s defence can’t hold out as Romain Taofifenua eventually goes over to level.
Hastoy then adds the all-important conversion and France win by two points.
Wow, what a finish. What a game!
England XV 24-19 France XV
17:11 , George Flood82 mins: France remain camped on the edge of the try line but England are standing firm through wave after wave of attack.
England XV 24-19 France XV
17:1079 mins: France are straight back on the attack and quickly burning up the metres.
They are back up to a full complement now too.
England are under siege now and a no-arms tackle from Atkinson gives them a penalty that is kicked to touch deep inside the 22.
This is the game right here...
TRY! England XV 24-19 France XV | Paul Mallez 75'
17:0675 mins: The try from debutant Paul Mallez is awarded and the subsequent conversion goes over.
It’s just a five-point game now with less than five minutes to go.
A grandstand finish coming up at Twickenham!
England XV 24-12 France XV
17:04 , George Flood74 mins: France have the ball down following the rolling maul but the TMO will check the grounding...
England XV 24-12 France XV
17:03 , George Flood74 mins: Still the late pressure comes from France’s determined 14 men, winning a penalty that they drill into touch just in front of the England line.
A massive test coming up for Borthwick’s defence...
England XV 24-12 France XV
17:02 , George Flood72 mins: A lucky break for England there as a rogue lineout throw relieves the pressure inside their 22.
A really costly error from the French hooker.
England XV 24-12 France XV
17:0170 mins: Entering the final 10 minutes of a thrilling contest at Twickenham.
Trevor Davison, Theo Dan and Chandler Cunningham-South are all on for England along with Quirke.
Off go Carpenter, Heyes, George and Isiekwe.
England XV 24-12 France XV
16:58 , George Flood68 mins: Dombrandt has been monstrous since coming off the bench for England.
France’s 14 men are testing the home defence now, Beard clearing up well and calmly under severe pressure from Tixeront after a booming kick from Baptiste Jauneau.
England XV 24-12 France XV
16:56 , George Flood65 mins: France are trying to counter-attack but England are piling numbers into the breakdown and get the turnover, Ford then narrowly missing with another 50:22 attempt.
He’s been kicking beautifully today.
England XV 24-12 France XV
16:5462 mins: Such a frenetic pace to this game still as we enter the final quarter.
Both sides threatening with ball in hand, England’s replacement scrum-half Raffi Quirke with a fine defensive effort.
England XV 24-12 France XV
16:5060 mins: Following that Dombrandt score comes confirmation from the TMO that Woki’s yellow card for that illegal clearout that led to Le Garrec’s awesome try being ruled out has also been upgraded to a 20-minute red.
France down to 14 for the rest of this game.
TRY! England XV 24-12 France XV | Alex Dombrandt 60'
16:46 , George Flood60 mins: 14-man France’s misery at that disallowed try is quickly compounded!
A fantastic initial break from Roebuck, with England then recycling the ball quickly and showing fast hands.
Ford finds Slade, who plays the perfect pass for Dombrandt to go through.
Conversion missed from wide right.
Jack Kenningham is on for his England debut.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:4458 mins: The try is disallowed after Cameron Woki makes contact with George’s head at the breakdown in the build-up.
Yellow for Woki, subject to bunker review.
England still lead 19-12!
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:40 , George Flood56 mins: More like it from France!
A lovely take in the air from Berdeu, who comes forward and finds Gailleton.
He feeds Le Garrec, who won’t be caught as he turns on the jets and streaks away for the try.
He converts his own score to level it up at Twickenham.
But hang on, they are looking at some foul play in the build-up...
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:3954 mins: Alex Dombrandt and Bevan Rodd are into that England pack now.
Willis and Baxter off.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:37 , George Flood53 mins: England have the bit between their teeth now and attack with menace with ball in hand.
We’ve come back for a scrum, from which France finally have some joy as they then drill a penalty into touch at halfway.
England are now back up to 15 men after the 20-minute red card as Harlequins’ Oscar Beard comes on for his first senior international appearance.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:34 , George Flood52 mins: NO TRY
It’s ruled a knock-on by Slade during that tussle with Fickou and Carpenter’s second debut try is chalked off.
19-12 it remains.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:3451 mins: England make a mess of the lineout but it’s chaos deep in the French 22 after a clash between Slade and Fickou.
Duguivalu sails a pass over the head of Gailleton and Carpenter is there to touch down the loose ball.
The crowd celebrate a fourth England try, but this will be checked by the TMO for a potential knock-on by Slade.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:30 , George Flood50 mins: Another poor showing at the scrum from France as they ship a penalty that is thumped into touch in trademark fashion off the left boot of Slade.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:30 , George Flood49 mins: No rhythm to the game at the moment with a couple of rather tedious scrum resets.
England have just a few minutes left on that 20-minute red card, so will be back up to a full complement soon.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:27 , George Flood47 mins: Le Garrec with a superb clearance into touch from deep.
A couple of England players down at the moment, including Hill.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:27 , George Flood46 mins: A whole host of French replacements are coming on now in a bid to spark Galthie’s experimental team into life.
England are kicking plenty to the flanks and contesting well in the air.
Such a strong showing at the moment a man down.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:24 , George Flood45 mins: No advantage for England after an infringement at the lineout from France.
Ford’s long-range effort from out on the right is well wide of the mark.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:22 , George Flood42 mins: England aren’t really going anywhere with ball in hand at the moment and Ford picks out a wonderful kick into touch on the far side.
France claim the lineout and clear, but the ball is quickly back in English hands.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:21 , George Flood40 mins: Willis chews up the metres for England from the restart and now they have a penalty for crossing between loosehead Baptiste Erdocio and lock Auradou.
Attissogbe off at half-time for France, with Lyon’s Leo Berdeu on for his debut.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:20 , George FloodHastoy kicks to get us back underway at Twickenham.
A huge 40 minutes ahead for England’s summer hopefuls.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:16The dangerous high tackle in question from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on Antoine Hastoy.
Not sure he can have many complaints, but it’s a real shame on his first appearance for six months and with a late Lions case to state.
England XV 19-12 France XV
16:07Half-time
And breathe!
A hugely dramatic first half at Twickenham, with five tries in total and a red card on his return from injury for Feyi-Waboso.
TRY! England XV 19-12 France XV | Joe Carpenter 40'
16:04 , George Flood40 mins: How about that from the 14 men!
Atkinson with a brilliant scything run through the heart of the French defence.
He looks to be over, but pops it back to Carpenter, who burrows forward for a debut try.
Ford’s conversion makes it a seven-point lead against the odds and invites the half-time whistle.
England XV 12-12 France XV
16:01 , George Flood37 mins: England dominate the scrum again and now have the chance to clear.
But their joy is short-lived as the TMO confirms that Feyi-Waboso’s yellow card for that dangerous high hit on Hastoy has been upgraded to a 20-minute red in the bunker.
Disaster for the Exeter wing on his first appearance since December after injury.
It will have probably harmed his Lions cause too.
England with a huge challenge ahead now.
England XV 12-12 France XV
15:59 , George Flood35 mins: England’s discipline is letting them down again now as they ship another penalty that is kicked into touch deep inside the 22.
However, they are fortunate with a miscommunication at the lineout from France, with Nick Isiekwe playing the role of disruptor.
England have the put-in at the scrum.
England XV 12-12 France XV
15:57 , George Flood34 mins: It’s yellow for Feyi-Waboso and England will play the rest of the first half here with 14 men.
It could yet be upgraded in the bunker.
England XV 12-12 France XV
15:5633 mins: England are testing Attissogbe plenty under the high ball so far, but he’s standing up to the challenge largely at the moment.
Feyi-Waboso is in trouble here after a reckless high tackle on French fly-half Antoine Hastoy.
That’s a yellow at the least...
England XV 12-12 France XV
15:54 , George Flood31 mins: Almost a memorable third try from England as Pepper makes the intercept and is brought down by a tap tackle, getting back up and releasing prop Joe Heyes.
The Leicester tighthead charges forward but is brought down at the last by France flanker Killian Tixeront.
A crucial interception follows by Attissogbe.
TRY! England XV 12-12 France XV | Alex Coles 29'
15:51 , George Flood29 mins: Level at Twickenham!
Clever off the lineout from England, who don’t go with the rolling maul as expected.
Atkinson’s strong carry takes them close to the line, with Spencer then teeing up Coles for England’s second try of the afternoon.
The conversion is missed badly by Ford, so 12-12 it stays for now.
Plenty more points to come in this one.
England XV 7-12 France XV
15:49 , George Flood27 mins: A huge sigh of relief from Slade as his pass outside in the centre of the pitch is picked off by Moustin, who is away but brought back by the whistle.
Offside.
TRY! England XV 7-12 France XV | Tom Willis 24'
15:44 , George Flood24 mins: England are over at long last as their constant pressure finally tells.
The forwards continue to plough into contact just in front of the try line, with France defending so doggedly again.
But they can’t hold out as number eight Willis picks up and dives over.
Ford adds the extras to make it a five-point game.
We now have another drinks break.
England 0-12 France
15:42 , George Flood22 mins: Penalty after penalty being shipped in front of their own line by France as England twice go for the close-range tap.
Les Bleus captain Fickou is warned by Hollie Davidson.
England 0-12 France
15:40 , George Flood20 mins: It’s just not happening deep inside that French 22 for England at the moment as the forwards can’t crash over so they go to the backs, Ford the orchestrator as they kick again with the advantage.
France soaking up so much pressure.
England 0-12 France
15:38 , George Flood18 mins: After a drinks break in the heat, England get a ruck penalty and have the beating of France at the scrum after a reset.
Ford is looking to test them with some clever kicks, but that’s a fine take in the air from Le Garrec.
England had been playing with an advantage there and now kick to touch deep in the French 22.
Can they hit back with their best attacking platform of the game so far?
England 0-12 France
15:37 , George Flood16 mins: Plenty of powerful carries and smart intent with ball in hand from England at the moment, but the final execution is lacking.
The back row looks dangerous with Ted Hill and Tom Willis involved plenty, while they are trying to get Feyi-Waboso loose at every opportunity.
Attissogbe clears up a bobbling ball behind the defence, showing his solid defensive skills in an unfamiliar position at 15 after an injury to Leo Barre in training on Thursday.
England 0-12 France
15:33There seems to have been a lot of confusion around whether Le Garrec’s second conversion attempt was actually successful.
The scoreline keeps changing, but it looks like it is 12-0 to France.
I thought I saw those flags raised!
TRY! England 0-10 France | Hugo Auradou 10'
15:27 , George Flood10 mins: Ruthless from France!
Carpenter has a good take in the air, but he’s quickly isolated and there’s a swift turnover.
France ruthlessly attack again as Attissogbe breaks through the middle, teeing up lock Auradou for the finish.
The try is awarded after a TMO check on the grounding after a last-ditch defensive effort from Feyi-Waboso.
Another missed conversion by Le Garrec.
TRY! England 0-5 France | Gaetan Barlot 7'
15:247 mins: Les Bleus strike first!
After the second early Coles penalty, they stay patient with the rolling maul, which eventually goes down but Castres hooker Barlot breaks off to touch down.
Nolann Le Garrec hooks the conversion wide.
England XV 0-0 France XV
15:226 mins: Another mistake by Alex Coles as he’s now whistled for changing his bind at the maul.
France boot to touch again, this time deep in the England 22.
Here comes that rolling maul...
England XV 0-0 France XV
15:215 mins: Great early pressure still being applied in the France 22, but an error relieves Les Bleus, who now boot to touch for a lineout on the edge of the England 22 after Coles is whistled for a ruck infringement.
Not the best kick to touch you’ll ever see.
England XV 0-0 France XV
15:19 , George Flood3 mins: A dramatic start at Twickenham, where France apply the early pressure but England exit after a first lineout and Ford then produces a peach of a 50:22 kick.
The hosts are moving the ball brilliantly at pace out to the left flank, where Feyi-Waboso looks to weave in for the early try in the corner but he’s denied at the last by a heroic effort from Guillard to dislodge the ball.
England XV vs France XV
15:16 , George FloodHere we go!
George Ford’s opening kick is taken in by Mickael Guillard, making his first appearance at No8 for France today.
Final preparations at Twickenham
14:55 , George FloodFinal preparations at Twickenham, where kick-off is just 20 minutes away now in ‘Le Crunch’.
A full-strength France team came unstuck here by a single point back in early February, when they uncharacteristically butchered countless scoring opportunities in the wet and Elliot Daly popped up with a last-gasp try to ruin their Six Nations Grand Slam chances.
There are no such weather concerns today amid the sun and humid conditions at the Allianz Stadium as this UK heatwave continues.
Ideal conditions for some attacking, running rugby, with plenty of tries feeling a certainty.
Some tiredness can certainly be expected though in temperatures hitting 32 degrees.
Underhill unavailable for England due to suspension
14:47Sam Underhill is with the England squad this week, having not been picked for the Lions tour.
However, he is unavailable to play this afternoon as he is still serving a four-week ban dished out for a dangerous head-to-head tackle on Georgian full-back Davit Niniashvili during Bath’s European Challenge Cup final win over Lyon in Cardiff last month.
Underhill missed Bath’s final game of the regular Premiership season against Saracens, as well as the semi-final against Bristol and dramatic final win over Leicester at Twickenham.
He also served a three-week suspension in April after being sent off against Pau in the Challenge Cup.
Antoine Dupont leads France absentees
14:38 , George FloodFrance are obviously still without superstar captain Antoine Dupont, who suffered a serious knee injury during the memorable Six Nations win over Ireland back in March and underwent surgery.
It remains to be seen if the world’s best player will feature again before the end of the year, with Les Bleus scheduled to face South Africa, Fiji and Australia in the autumn.
Six Nations player of the tournament and record-breaking try scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Gregory Alldritt, Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos are just some of the long list of key players unavailable to Fabien Galthie at the moment as the All Blacks loom.
Defending champions Toulouse beat Bayonne 32-25 on Friday night in the Top 14 semi-finals in Lyon, with 22 points from the boot of Ramos and tries from Ntamack and Paul Graou.
Champions Cup winners Bordeaux take on Toulon in the other last-four tie tonight.
Injury absentees for England
14:23 , George FloodWe should mention that alongside that aforementioned 13-strong Lions cohort - 14 with Jack van Poortvliet - that Ben Curry, Fraser Dingwall, George Furbank and Harry Randall are all continuing their respective injury rehabilitations with England this week.
Ollie Lawrence is another injury absentee who would surely have gone on the Lions tour, with the likes of Joe Batley, Alex Lozowski, George Martin and Ollie Sleightholme also sidelined at present.
France to name weakened squad for first New Zealand Test
14:16 , George FloodThis is an important game for France too ahead of their three-Test trip to New Zealand next month.
Fabien Galthie will be forced to name a weakened squad to take on the All Blacks in the opening match in Dunedin on July 5, which takes place just a week after the Top 14 final.
It is unclear at this stage if any players involved in that showpiece fixture in Paris will be made available for the first Test, though they are all expected to fly out before the second meeting in Wellington on July 12.
“We don’t have a choice other than picking players who finished their seasons,” Galthie said this week.
“It’s an opportunity to work with the best players available.
“There’s a decision at the end of the season with the freshness and availability of players.”
Atmosphere building at Twickenham
14:04 , George FloodToday might not be a proper Test match, but there’s still a great turnout at Twickenham...
England and Lions auditions coming up at Twickenham
13:53 , George FloodToday’s contest is certainly an England audition for many of Steve Borthwick’s young hopefuls, but it can also be seen as a chance for a select few to advance their causes for a late Lions call-up.
That is particularly the case for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who would surely have been part of Andy Farrell’s initial 38-man squad were it not for that lingering shoulder injury that has prevented him from playing for Exeter since December and required surgery as it forced him out of the Six Nations too.
The Lions certainly aren’t short on top wingers with James Lowe, Duhan van der Merwe, Tommy Freeman, Mack Hansen and Elliot Daly all in the squad, but they are lacking the sort of raw speed that Feyi-Waboso possesses in abundance, while Van der Merwe was having his ankle iced on the bench after coming off last night.
Likewise Jamie George, one of the most surprising Lions omissions who will have no doubt have given an excellent account of himself after being drafted into training in Portugal last week.
His case may have been strengthened last night with the lineout struggles experienced against Argentina, particularly after Ronan Kelleher replaced Luke Cowan-Dickie in the second half.
The question of another Lions fly-half addition is centred almost totally on Owen Farrell, who got a brilliant reception in Dublin while on Sky Sports punditry duties but would not be drawn on the potential for him to be called up by his dad.
But could the door still be ever-so-slightly ajar for George Ford, who was sensational for Sale this season?
Borthwick relishing 'great opportunity' for England before summer tour
13:35 , George FloodToday is only the fourth official outing for ‘England XV’, which is the title usually given for their meetings with the Barbarians, whom they beat 51-43 at Twickenham in 2019 to go along with high-scoring losses in both 2018 and 2022.
“We're excited to be playing at Allianz Stadium and to test ourselves against a strong French side,” said England boss Steve Borthwick this week.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing this young team get out there and show what they’re capable of.
“It’s a great opportunity to take another step forward ahead of the summer Tour to Argentina and the US.”
Borthwick names his squad for that summer tour on Monday, so today’s game is such a key chance to impress.
England XV vs France XV prediction
13:23 , George FloodDespite no official caps being on offer today, this is still a fascinating contest that should prove every bit as ferocious as a full Test with players on both sides desperately hoping to prove their worth.
There are huge opportunities across the board for England during a Lions summer and Steve Borthwick will be keen to strike the correct balance between youthful exuberance and crucial experience ahead of what will be a tough tour to Lions conquerors Argentina.
Fabien Galthie is also experimenting, though has picked a backline packed full of try-scoring threat that may well prove too dangerous for the hosts to overcome.
France to win, by seven points.
France XV lineup
13:15 , George FloodFrance XV: Attissogbe; Moustin, Gailleton, Fickou (c), Duguivalu; Hastoy, Le Garrec; Erdocio, Barlot, Slimani; Auradou, Duguid; Fischer, Tixeront, Guillard
Replacements: G Marchand, Mallez, Bamba, R Taofifenua, Van Tonder, Woki, Jauneau, Berdeu
England XV lineup
13:13England XV: Carpenter; Roebuck, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; Ford (co-c), Spencer; Baxter, George (co-c), Heyes; Coles, Isiekwe; Hill, Pepper, Willis
Replacements: Dan, Rodd, Davison, Cunningham-South, Kenningham, Dombrandt, Quirke, Beard
France team news
13:08As mentioned, France are also without a whole host of players today in their Top 14 semi-finalists from Bordeaux, Toulon, Toulouse and Bayonne, plus injury absentees such as scrum-half talisman Antoine Dupont.
It’s an experimental lineup from Fabien Galthie, who has handed the captaincy to vastly-experienced centre Gael Fickou and sprung a surprise by selecting flying wing Theo Attissogbe at full-back.
There are first senior France appearances from the off for Alivereti Duguivalu, Baptiste Erdocio, Tyler Duguid, Alexandre Fischer and Mael Moustin, with Guillaume Marchand, Paul Mallez, Jaco van Tonder and Leo Berdeu the uncapped quartet on the bench.
Antoine Hastoy, Emilien Gailleton, Hugo Auradou, Mickael Guillard and Nolann Le Garrec all start, while there is a first France appearance for six years for veteran prop Rabah Slimani after his renaissance at Leinster.
England team news
12:55 , George Flood13 England players have been called up for the Lions tour this summer so far, led by captain Maro Itoje.
Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tommy Freeman, Elliot Daly, Henry Pollock, Ollie Chessum and Alex Mitchell were also named by head coach Andy Farrell in his initial 38-man squad for Australia last month.
Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour were also called in to train with the Lions in Portugal last week, with Jack van Poortvliet having been in camp in Dublin over recent days as specialist scrum-half cover for Jamison Gibson-Park.
It leaves England’s stocks depleted for the summer, with Bath’s influential Premiership-winning flanker Guy Pepper one of three uncapped players starting today, along with Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson and Sale full-back Joe Carpenter.
There are two more on the bench in Harlequins duo Jack Kenningham and Oscar Beard.
Jamie George is back to co-captain the team along with George Ford, who has to wait for his official 100th cap.
The standout selection for England is on the wing, where Immanuel Feyi-Waboso plays for the first time since December after shoulder surgery that forced him to miss the Six Nations.
How to watch England XV vs France XV
12:49 , George FloodTV channel and live stream: Today’s game is being broadcast live via RugbyPass TV, World Rugby’s streaming service which is free to access if you register for an account.
Coverage starts at kick-off.
England XV vs France XV live
12:47 , George FloodGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of England XV vs France XV.
While there is still a lot of focus on dissecting the British and Irish Lions’ shock home defeat by Argentina in their summer opener in Dublin last night, Steve Borthwick will be running the rule over a number of young hopefuls in a non-cap edition of ‘Le Crunch’ at Allianz Stadium Twickenham this afternoon.
Opportunities abound for a number of players as England prepare for a two-Test trip to Argentina next month and one-off match against the USA without their large Lions contingent, with up to five players making their first senior appearances for their country today.
France, meanwhile, are missing their Top 14 semi-finalists as they look for revenge for their surprise Six Nations loss at this venue in February that cost them a Grand Slam.
Fabien Galthie has also gone with an experimental team as they prepare for a tour to New Zealand this summer.
Kick-off is at 3:15pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up, team news and live updates.
