England beat France 19-14 in World Cup warm-up

AFP: Anthony Watson’s two tries ensured England enjoyed a 19-14 victory over France to start their World Cup warm-up campaign on a positive note.

The Bath wing flew over for his brace in the first half and Jonny May added another in the second period as Stuart Lancaster’s men just managed to hold off a brave effort from the visitors. Home supporters would have arrived hoping to witness a repeat of last March’s thrilling 55-35 win which saw England triumph over their French rivals in the Six Nations.

It was just a try too little to lift the Six Nations title, which Ireland won, but it showed England could play attacking, try-scoring rugby when they put their minds to it.

France’s players, at least those who played in that game, would have been motivated to put the record straight while also throw down their own World Cup gauntlet with the competition getting underway on September 18.

But with World Cup places on the line it was always going to be a night when tension and nerves, plus a little rustiness, would show through.