England 15 France 21:Ireland's World Cup pool opponents France scored a try in each half - through Fabien Pelous and Sebastien Chabal - to post a morale-boosting 21-15 win over a powerful but limited England in their World Cup warm-up at Twickenham on Saturday.
The former captain Pelous after 12 minutes and his impressive replacement Chabal after 71 made it a satisfying day for the tournament's hosts.
"We start (a string of warm-up games) with a win and that's important, even if (coach) Bernard (Laporte) had told us style was more important than the result today," Pelous said. "It's my first try in three years and that makes me even happier."
Of the players battling for selection with England, 20-year-old fullback Nick Abendanon had few opportunities, wingers Paul Sackey and Josh Lewsey were solid but unspectacular and centre Jamie Noon provided a reminder he is probably the best defensive centre available.
In the back row of the pack James Haskell and Lawrence Dallaglio have an anxious wait as coach Brian Ashton ponders Tuesday's announcement of his final 30-man squad.
For France David Skrela was no more than reliable and the door remains open for Frederik Michalak to reclaim the outhalf berth, but Pelous - long ravaged by injury - showed he is close enough to full fitness to probably warrant a place in the starting XV.
Chabal made a terrific impact off the bench for the last 20 minutes while Jean-Baptiste Elissalde brought a touch of class when he replaced a limping Pierre Mignoni early in the second half.
Pelous equalled Philippe Sella's record of 111 caps for France and in his first appearance since November put his side on the scoreboard with the first try.
It was to prove a rare moment of organised attack as the teams probed but found the opposing defences too well organised.
France looked the livelier but England's pack, buoyed by their role in last week's 62-5 demolition of Wales, had the edge. And so the scoreboard was kept ticking over with penalties, four for Olly Barkley and two for Skrela, as England reached the break 12-11 ahead.
It remained tight after the break as an Andy Gomarsall drop-goal and an Elissalde penalty made it 15-14 with 10 minutes left.
France then absorbed English pressure before blasting back as Michalak set up Chabal for an unstoppable 20-metre charge to the line and the second try.
ENGLAND: N Abendanon; P Sackey, J Noon, M Catt, J Lewsey; O Barkley, M Perry; A Sheridan, M Regan, M Stevens; S Shaw, B Kay; J Haskell, J Worsley, L Dallaglio. Replacements: A Gomarsall for Perry, L Mears for Regan (both 50 mins), P Vickery for Stevens, M Corry for Shaw (both 56 mins), J Wilkinson for Catt (78 mins).
FRANCE: C Poitrenaud; V Clerc, D Martin, D Traille, A Rougerie; D Skrela, P Mignoni; O Milloud, R Ibanez, J-B Poux; F Pelous, J Thion; S Betsen, D Marty, J Bonnaire. Replacements: J-B Elissalde for Mignoni (44 mins), D Szarzewski for Ibanez (52 mins), F Michalak for Traille, S Chabal for Pelous, Y Nyanga for Betsen (all 56 mins), N Mas for Poux (66 mins).
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
