MATCH SUMMARY England: (6) 22 Tries: Thorman, Robinson, Jones-Buchanan, Crabtree Goals: Thorman (3) France: (12) 12 Tries: Berthezene, Zitter Goals: Frayssinous (2)

The French were on course for a famous win after first-half tries from David Berthezene and Freddy Zitter.

Those efforts bettered the earlier score of England's Chris Thorman.

But after the interval, the hosts dominated proceedings and did not concede another point despite failing to really convince.

After well-worked tries by Luke Robinson and Jamie Jones-Buchanan, England managed to take their winning margin to 10 points when Eorl Crabtree touched down for the final try of the match with only two minutes left on the clock.

But it was exactly the sort of game we required before we play the Kiwis - we'll be a lot better for it Karl Harrison England coach

England coach Karl Harrison said: "I thought defensively we were outstanding but with the ball we looked a little bit rusty.

"There were a lot of guys who hadn't played for a while and they looked jaded and tired at times.

"It was a tough game and the French have improved. They were very physical and made it really hard for us. We wanted to play a quick game but they slowed it down.

"But it was exactly the sort of game we required before we play the Kiwis. We'll be a lot better for it."

England: Mathers, Calderwood, Sykes, Reardon, Gardner, Thorman, Robinson, Crabtree, Alker, Wood, Radford, Jones-Buchanan, Charles.
Replacements: Gleeson, Bennett, Griffin, Lynch.

France: Guigues, Zitter, Hermet, Couturier, Charles, Frayssinous, Rinaldi, Guisset, Berthezene, Fellous, Raguin, Fakir, Mounis.
Replacements: Greseque, Carrasco, Ferriol, Moly.

Referee: Glen Black (New Zealand).