France v England Six Nations Rugby

More off the field problems for the England rugby union squad...

Completely unacceptable... There is trouble ahead. Stuart Lancaster

begins his regime with a victory. This looks dangerous. England have

won in Paris. He did say at the beginning he

wanted to restore the pride. England's greatest ever day. The

grand slam is still very much alive in England's mind. England are in

disarray. Welcome to the madness. There are rituals that must be

observed, the niceties of the game. But there is a limit to the

pre-match rituals. You can have so much of all this. It is time for

some bite. It is time for the crunch.

A penny for Stuart Lancaster's thought at the start of his Six

Nations championship, 18 months and 20 matches away from a World Cup on

home soil. Still time to experiment but that time is running out. The

same goes for France. A catastrophic 2013 leaves them craving a sense of

direction and today, above all else, a victory. France against

England is always special but as an opening salvo to this year's

championship it has added bite, and does Philippe Saint-Andre said this

week, this year we don't start with a starter but with the main course.

The French persist in calling this Le Cruch. It is one of the great

rivalries in sport and still a fascinating game in prospect. You

would be hard to be convinced about it going one way or the other.

Welcome to the Stade de France on what is a crisp springlike evening,

in the company of Jeremy Guscott and Clive Woodward. Is there something

extra special about the English for you? It is special. You've made us

suffer during so many games. You won the World Cup so if we have leaders,

we need to show it today. From an English perspective, does France

pose an extra problem? It's changed over the years. They were attacking

and we weren't sure what to expect but today French rugby is all about

power so I'm sure the English know exactly what's coming this

afternoon. When England won a couple of years ago, only four players from

that time survive. I suppose for an international coach these days, one

of the key things to factor in is that a third of your first choice

line-up is not going to be available. You do factor it in but

it's the same for all sides. There's probably only two players that would

be in the team that are to the detriment of the starting 15. We've

got to move away from worrying about the individual players and worry

about how we're actually playing so that when new players coming, they

come into a settled side. I'm looking forward to seeing how

England take the game to France. The World Cup looms ever nearer on the

horizon. When you were 18 months away from a World Cup, your side had

500 caps between them. This is an inexperienced side. Where do you

think Stuart Lancaster is in his thinking towards next year? I'm

hoping that he's just thinking about beating France tonight. We did it

one way but that's not the blueprint. There are many ways to

win a World Cup. You can start in the Six Nations just before a World

Cup and still win. It's about how you play, getting your players

really fit, but it's the style of play the rest of the world is

worried about. I hope people will go, "whoa! These people are

serious" . It may be a factor of fatigue that in the professional

era, after every Lions tour, the French have gone on to win a

championship or win the grand slam. Which means... That the home sides

are quite tired. After a Lions tour, it takes a lot out of you mentally,

not just physically. It's hard to get back into not just international

rugby but life itself. It takes on a whole different meaning. This is a

great place to start your championship if you're feeling that

you need a bit more noise or atmosphere. Just to show you you

should have selected some French players in the line-up! From a

French point of view, 2013 may have been great for the Lions but for the

French it was a calamity, wasn't it? Terrible. Just two wins. We didn't

have any consistency in selection. We changed many players in key

positions. It's very important that we deserve

more consideration today. Philippe Saint-Andre has made some big bets

and he have to pay today. You can see there is nobody under more

scrutiny in the stadium tonight than the French coach.

Now it is time to ring my great friend, Mr Saint-Andre.

Before we think that this year and the challenge ahead, can I take you

back to last year? No, please, no! How would you sum it up? We didn't

know how to manage to win a game and for us, the Six Nations is very

important. The first game is a crunch against our great friends,

England, so it will be a very interesting game. Last year you were

beginning to find your feet as coach and maybe the French public will

allow you one year to not perform. Is it now time for France... It is

time to win for the players and also for me, that is sure. We took a lot

of risks and have a lot of young players but it's that the French

public are not very patient and they want to see the French team win. How

close are you to knowing your final starting 15? You've had many

injuries this year and you lost your cap in Dusautoir. It's 11 months of

competition, so our players will play 40 games. I'm not worried

because it's always a time like this in French rugby. We start to believe

in young players, to understand international rugby. The future will

be bright for French rugby. One of the key things is that as the

French club championship becomes more like English Premier League

football, in some positions there are barely any French players to

pick from, like the number ten jersey.

Yes, that's why we see players like shoe Plisson. I would have loved to

have seen shoe Plisson as the number 12. In England, you have a tactical

approach. We have an individual approach.

Going to the defence, the kicking game is the thing that we don't

really see as important. That's the key in the international games. What

about continuity, Clive? This is the 10th half back pairing that

Saint-Andre has picked in two years. Just to pick up, I think France have

got the players. It's an all-star Activision. The Coke could have come

in and you just go, wow! They keep changing a lot but so too England.

There is a lot of movement of players. The more you can play with

a settled team, the better it is but I think this is quite a settled

French team. A few years ago, the French picked the oldest team almost

in the history of international Rob. This is a much younger 15

starting to write, Thomas. Yes, and you can see Domingo, who is on the

pitch, and Kayser has accuracy on the line-out. And Mas is a

destroyer. Pascal Pape will have to lead the team like Martin Johnson

did a few years ago for England. Dusautoir will need to be present.

He destroyed Saracens by himself. A very physical player. Doussain will

be the major player. They will have to do a very good game today. You

have the two centres. They are line breakers but never pass the ball.

They can hurt the defence but if the English defences strong, these guys

will struggle. Then you've got the magicians at the back. They will

have to find balls with a counterattack. If England are

playing Mozart and magicians tonight, they've got no chance!

England have won six of their last eight matches against France,

including the last time they met here.

It's not long enough and England have won in Paris! Paris was a happy

hunting grounds are you two years ago but injury slightly. And this

time around. -- hunting ground for you but injury slightly forced your

hand. We have a great opportunity. It's a great place to come and play

rugby. Two new players and a single cap for Jonny May. Is this a risk? I

think for the young players, it's about belief in the team and

themselves. Everything indicates that they are ready for the

challenge. We recognise the challenge ahead of us. Philip

Saint-Andre says that losing is just not an option for France today,

given the last 12 months that Braveheart. Does that make them

doubly dangerous? -- that they've had. For us to come to Paris first

up, it is a tough start but whoever gets the win will get the momentum

going into the second round so I don't think it's an option for

either side and we'll be ready, as well. How important is the Six

Nations in the overall developer and of this side, looking ahead to the

World Cup in 2015? Crucial. We have four big games in the autumn. The

next calendar year will be a big year for England and hopefully, it.

Well today. -- it will start well today.

Marleau gets the nod ahead of Mako Vunipola. This is one of the most

talented second rows in world rugby. Lawes will tackle anything that

moves. Tom Wood and Robshaw are workaholics. For England to succeed

this afternoon, the halfbacks have got to produce good performances.

The decision-making needs to be right, particularly the box kicks.

Farrell will not over the penalties. Inexperienced centre pairing but I

like the mixture. It looks good. Billy Twelvetrees has got to be

accurate with his kicking. Three of very new. Jack Nowell, good luck to

you, my son. I hope it goes well. Jonny May is a really exciting,

elusive runner. I suspect that for the majority of you, there are lots

of unfamiliar England names. That means that this man will be the

senior figure in the three quarters line, but only with eight counts.

The Billy Twelvetrees. Are you not use to this in Gloucester? I like

it. It is close to red and white. It has been an unusual route for you.

We hear about guys going to public school, joining an Academy and then

a club. You went a different route? It was never set in stone for me to

play rugby as a professional. It was like an chance. It was stepping

stones each time. He has another opportunity, make sure you grab it.

You're becoming established in that England centre position. Is it

exciting playing with those young guys? Yes, to see how quickly are,

the back three, it is a bit annoying. They have a massive amount

of confidence. We can give a lot of ball to these players. We want to

get it right. I want the best for England, like any other England

fan. It is creating opportunities and scoring tries, getting the

balance right. Do you get frustrated? Do you give the forward

some? Yes. Whether it is at Gloucester or England. They give it

back as well. Everyone is humble at the same time. Sometimes it gets

heated on the itch, but it is all right afterwards. England have been

thoroughly outplayed today. England have won by 27 points. The last six

Nations for England have not been a great memory. How have you got past

that? We are stronger as a team from it. It is indeed back of mind, but

it is one game. You put it to bed. I loved playing against the French.

They had bruising forwards, but their backs, they were quick and

elusive. I do not think their philosophy has changed. The forwards

are big and bruising. The bags are extremely dangerous. What is your

mindset when you look at someone like Pastoral? You cannot let them

run at you. -- Mathieu Bastareaud. It is one of those environments that

you always wish you are in. I'm getting excited thinking about it.

You have my shirt, number 12, look after it and do a good job. I

appreciate that. What do you make of that centre partnership? I am very

excited. I think Twelvetrees has all the armoury. It depends whether Owen

Farrell can help him with his passing game and his kicking game.

Luther Burrell, I want to see what he can do on the attacking side. I'm

a little bit surprised about the bench. They are asking Alex Goode to

step up and play number ten. There is no specialist. England are taking

a big risk. Number ten and number 13 are fundamental to whether England

get the ball on the wings. But on the wings, England have one cat

between them? Is that the risk? I do not think it is. You have played

well enough for your club and you're ready to play. This is an

opportunity for Jack Nowell to establish himself. If he gets the

chance, he will. Jonny May is one of the most exciting bags in English

rugby. You're part of his fan club? I have always liked Jonny May. I

think the French will target them. Not only on the floor, but in the

air. I am really excited for them. I think you're right. The kicking game

will be key today. I think that the French will target the winners. They

will be used to that in the Aviva Premiership. The wingers have to be

able to catch. In terms of how England will play things behind the

scrum, how do you assess their style of play? They have been trying to

evolve the style of having lots of options. You have a front row on the

back row. The front row can go short. Billy Twelvetrees has the

ball. He can take the ball short, inside or outside, or he can go wide

to the runners. Look at the space. The ball has to go wide. There

should be communication. It is all about giving yourself options. If

you set up in that format, you will always have those options. Once

again, two lines of attack. The ball comes out again. Billy has put his

hands up, but the boys cannot hear him. The spaces out wide, but again,

it has gone inside. The attacking shape is good. It will challenge the

defence. If you have been a regular visitor to the BBC sport website,

you have me -- you may have spotted the greatest rise in the history of

the Six Nations. This fixture is going back into the depths of

history. It had some great tries to its name.

Perhaps his first day as a winning England captain.

They try by Carlton. That does it. -- the try.

Great play. He has Rory Underwood outside.

There always seemed to be more space in those days. If you want to see

great tries from the Six Nations over the last four years, you can go

to the BBC website. You can contact us. Let's go to our commentary

position. What might happen over the next couple of hours? One of the key

things is the English pack, which by common consent is one of the best in

the world. Is that where the platform will be for these young

guns to show what they can do? If it is not, they will be on the back

foot and have very limited amounts of ball and opportunity. I do not

expect that to happen. I think that Thierry Dusautoir is a big loss for

France. From an England point of view, you would want them to shoot

it, to put their backs on the front foot. The key thing is, as crash --

as Chris Robshaw leads the side out, Danny Care is the man who cannot go

straight things. Week he had been your first choice for this game?

Yes, he would. You need a scrum-half who can get that injection of pace

and temple. -- and tempo. I think you will see the injection of pace

from Danny Care. He will be key tonight for England. Thank you. The

weathermen predicted we would play this game in a downpour, but they

are wrong, it is a glorious evening with the Chris Doak their sky. Dusk

is descending on Paris at the moment. Clive, where will this game

be won and lost tonight? As long as the England forwards front top, we

can win. This is a very strong French team, but I think England

will shade it. Thomas? I am scared by the mobility of the front five of

England. They can do things that will hurt the French game, but I

think France will win by ten. Jeremy Guscott? The exact opposite. I think

England will win by ten. If they are accurate and enthusiastic, England

will win. I think that England are fitter than the French. There is

real tension. The two teams are coming out together at the Stade de

France for the second match in this year's RBS Six Nations. There is a

cacophony of noise. Just tell us, what is this like for the young

players in the England back division? They will absolutely be

loving this. You cannot help but love it. It sends shivers down your

spine. It is what you play for. It is certainly not Exeter or

Gloucester this evening! Good luck to them. The atmosphere is

brilliant. You can tell from the diverse opinions that this is the

kind of match where almost no result would surprise you. It could be a

substantial victory or it could be a game won by the closest of margins.

Stand-by for what promises to be an enthralling second chapter in this

year 's Six Nations. It will be described by Brian Moore, Andy Nicol

and Eddie Butler after the national anthems.

# God save our gracious Queen! # Long live our noble Queen!

# God save the Queen! # Send her victorious.

# Happy and glorious. # Long to reign over us.

# God save the Queen. CHEERING. # Allons enfants de la Patrie.

# Le jour de gloire est arrive! # Contre nous de la tyrannie.

# L'etendard sanglant est leve. # L'etendard sanglant est leve!

# Entendez-vous dans les campagnes. # Mugir ces feroces soldats.

# Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras. # Egorger vos fils et vos compagnes!

# Aux armes, citoyens. # Formez vos bataillons.

# Marchons, marchons! # Qu'un sang impur.

# Abreuve nos sillons #. It's a deep blue clear sky over the

Stade de France and France have picked an experienced pack to throw

themselves at England. Pascal Pape gets his 50th cap tonight and

Alexandre Flanquart, a giant alongside him, at 6'8". The Jules

Plisson beside the scrum. What a passer he is. Can he do it at this

level? Can we get a pass out of the centre combination of Fofana and

Bastareaud? Experience in the England pack. 51st captain Dylan

Hartley. Courtney Lawes in the second row. Behind the scrum, such

little experience. First cap for Luca Brecel -- Luther Burrell.

France have 6/ the bench. England have five. -- six forwards on the

bench. Nigel Owen of Wales is the referee of Le Crunch. It could be a

busy evening. WHISTLE BLOWS

We're off and running and Jack Nowell kicks off with his first

touch. Plisson. His first touch for Huget.

What a start to the Six Nations! The worst possible start for England.

Conversely, France will take anything that's given and that

fairly and squarely came from the failure to take the initial

kick-off. Such an important part of the game and England didn't perform

their properly. That's a very good kick. A simple run-in. That came

from the forwards not covering the ball. They didn't think they had a

job to do but they must certainly know that now.

Yoann Huget of Toulouse opens the scores with 32 seconds on the clock.

The conversion from wide out doesn't compound the terrible start for

England but France still read 5-0. -- lead.

The English defence defence forced the French back inside. The try

scorer calls for the restart and takes it. John Mark Doussain, the

scrum-half, opts to kick himself and France to manage the restart.

The set pieces are going to be important.

A chance here for England. Jonny May coming up from the left wing.

Dan Cole, the prop, takes the inside flick from barrel. -- Farrell. Jack

Nowell driven back. Well picked up. That's what they want the powerful

number eight to do - takeout two defenders. Farrell hasn't gone

forward. Play on. A chance for Luther Burrell in his first cap

game. The younger tries to make life difficult for Care. -- Nyanga.

The wing is very much involved off their wings. -- wingers.

Courtney Lawes can pick up and go a second time.

Penalty advantage to England. WHISTLE BLOWS

Nigel Owens deciding that the French didn't release. They convert a reply

from England, not panicking. Me on the floor. -- his knee on the floor.

Whilst Nowell got ramped back in, the presence of mind to at least

keep the ball alive was with him. Owen Farrell last year had one of

the lower percentages of Six Nations kicking. England need him to get

these three points to bring England back.

It's a tricky angle for Owen Farrell. One of those uncomfortable

starters. But it's beautifully struck and

England are on the scoreboard. 5-3 to France. Interesting to see where

England are targeting their runners, slightly wider out. Nigel Owens has

got something to say. Timeout. Wesley Fofana. Can't see any blood.

What was that about? Joule Plisson towards Jack Nowell again.

Jonny May is off the field as the fullback launches a counterattack.

Danger, danger! France could be in for a second try. Penalty advantage

being played. Doussain arrives. Penalty advantage still being

played. I think it's a knock-on advantage.

It should be over soon. Fofana had the rest of his body into

touch. England's defence just about working but they've been found out

twice with these cross kicks. They've been well executed by

France. Just the bounce of the ball that didn't go their way this time

and prevented the second try going over. Alex Goode a replacement for

Jonny May. Dylan Hartley will throw into the

line-out. Well taken by Joe Launchbury but it's gone loose.

Still a situation to work out for Farrell. Is that an advantage? It's

enough. That is the sort of in exactitude that you cannot have.

Simply not paying attention. Robshaw had to pass the ball back, hence

less time, hence France given a prime attacking opportunity.

The French forwards go back but now the penalty advantage. The ball has

been left behind but it's still an advantage as Thomas Domingo has a

little pick up and go. Good, solid defence by England.

Plisson will have a second go. WHISTLE BLOWS

Do learn didn't want that but we go back for the penalty. -- Dulin

didn't want that. Number five, you're occupying.

This is almost over inflated. It came from the line-out, which wasn't

cleared properly. Good shift to drive from France, which means they

take the ball at one part of the line-out and transfer it to the

other part. Tom Wood did very well. Doussain's second kick. Safely

controlled. France extend their lead, 8-3. We saw them trying to put

the ball behind and the defence are going to have to make a decision on

that fairly early, about when they use it. They put the optional wide

out behind them. A good follow-up by England. England will have a good

attacking opportunity here. They've moved Brown to the wing. That would

make more sense. England cut back the way they came.

England still on the front foot. Huget leads the charge. Excellent

recovery work by Danny Care. Care has to haul himself back into

position. Care hasn't gone very far. I thought

there was an England player in front. Fofana took it. It's

Bastareaud. Louis Picamoles chases. Thereby France have made a lot of

ground and worthy advantage of the throw. However, I'm sure that if

Bastareaud had the ball in hand, it would have been a lot with two men

inside him. Danny Care was well in retreat.

Astro goes and draws the outside man as well and it would have been two

on one. -- Bastareaud goes and draws the outside man. Of the ball stolen

on the French throne. Jack Nowell sets off in pursuit and

tackles. A real chance for England. Hugh J is on his own but he's going

to win the race. -- Hugh J is on his own. I don't understand why tall

trees kicked the ball there. Three men on the front foot and the French

turned. If you had to kick, you could have

kicked two passes later when the move would maybe have closed down.

As it was, that ball could and should have gone left.

Billy Vunipola receiving treatment. If Billy Twelvetrees straightens up

there, England would have had the advantage. Once you kick the ball,

it makes a decision for everybody. You have no opportunity to see how

the defence is playing. Although that was a long way out, it was a

chance missed. We are just going to look at how the new players have

settled in. For Jack Nowell, it was a really interesting start. This was

the start of the game. This was his first touch. Then he gets welcome to

international rugby by Picamoles. But since then, he has come back.

What an entrance into international rugby. Jack Nowell, his last

contribution, to thump into a Frenchman and regain the ball for

England. Chris Robshaw goes to ground. Brice

Dulin wins that little contest. Was he still in the air? Yes, he was. It

is a penalty, in the air. That is inexperience. If you just

waited that split second later, he would still get the man, but he

would have got the throw in from the corner. That is quite clear. As it

is, France have got the throw in. It is a second try for Yoann Huget,

a second try for France. What an opening quarter! There is the

difference, France move the ball in hand, they wait to see how it

develops, and then the kick comes in. It doesn't matter whether you

say it is a fortuitous bounce, that is irrelevant. It has gone their

way. They only got into that position because they did the right

thing with the turnover ball. England gave them the opportunity.

Alex Goode, you have got to go lower. It allows him to make five

yards first. It is very subtle skills. The one-handed off-load.

Brice Dulin, the weight of the kick. Jean-Marc Doussain cannot add the

extra points. But what the start for France. They lead by 13-3. You can

see how much ground is made. Because Alex Goode did not put Yoann Huget

down on the floor, he is able to support.

The leave for England as the ball goes out. Something has happened off

the ball. -- relief for England as the ball goes out. This was out of

shot, but it was nothing serious. Just like the good old days, really!

Stuart Lancaster, not looking happy, and well he might not, because

England are under pressure. Let's listen to Nigel Owens. Both of you

stay there. Number eight has certainly got involved when it

started. We're going to look at this through the television match

official, Jim Yuille. Have a look at what cost did, and if there is

anything, show me again on the screen. Otherwise I'm just going to

speak to the players. OK, I will check. Picamoles is number eight,

and Tom Wood is number six. It was not high, but it was late.

This is Jules Plisson. That is the late challenge. Plisson was

slipping. As far as I can see, as number ten has passed, he has gone

into number six. I will just speak to them unless you can see anything

else. That is fine. I want you to stay there. As you passed the ball

and you fell, the title is fair, it is not late. That is it. You go

back. U2, when the whistle goes, I do not want you grappling like that

again. It does not look good. Let that be the end of it. If I have to

speak to you again, it will be different. You have got to love

Nigel Owens. He is a man of common sense. He is very clear. The upshot

is that Dylan Hartley will throw into the line-out. England have

managed to take the steam out of France.

That is straight out. They have put themselves back in trouble. It is

another self-inflicted mistake. When you're trying to get momentum when

you have been under pressure, that sort of thing immediately put you

back under pressure. Nigel Owens was playing an

advantage. The knock-on was by England. I do not know whether that

is broken. It is serious enough to keep him off the pitch for good.

This will be an interesting platform for the French, with their front

row. They will be looking to get an edge.

France have got the penalty. When you're 13-3 down, you simply have to

keep the scrum up. You cannot give them a shot at goal. Pascal Pape

immediately indicated to the posts. He says he is merely standing in for

Thierry Dusautoir. It was sweetly struck. France's lead grows. England

badly, badly need a period of play with the ball, to take the pressure

off. They need to try and reverse the momentum. At the moment, the

French are out thinking England. France reversed the momentum. They

have the penalty as their reward. The explanation is quite clear from

Nigel Owens. It was the second time you gathered it.

That is a very poor kick. It was not anywhere near. England have 22. -- a

22. Farrell saw a prop against him and

had a little go himself. Robshaw gets through the tackle of Le Roux.

Brown gets a good pass away to Alex Goode. That won't count. Good

foresight by Goode. It seemed the very narrowest of gaps.

Wonderful slight of hand by Mike Brown. Look at the stats. Although

the carries have been in England's favour, meters made is doubled by

France almost. This eco-blue police has had an assured start. -- Plisson

has had an assured start. What pressure can England exert

here? This is the French five metre line. Doussain to feed. Will they

strike or go for the walk on? Safely delivered to Picamoles and the way

it comes. -- away it comes. Confusion on both sides. There is a

fine line, isn't there, between trying to keep the ball alive and

making passes which are never going to hit their target.

REFEREE: What happened in the last scrum? Same again? Noel has got to

decide whether he is in the position to make the pass. -- Nowell.

A very good position for England. Jack Nowell is in an interesting

position himself. He's a smack in the middle of the field behind the

scrum. Farrell, Goode and Noel all behind the scrum. It could go either

way. -- Nowell. There is the formation behind the scrum.

REFEREE: We all need to help each other here.

Penalty to France. England are having trouble at the scrum.

If the ball wasn't hooked and it's gone back to the French side,

whether or not Nigel Owens thought England were responsible, the French

were going to win that ball. Because it's not hooked... Well, actually, I

don't think they were going to win that ball. Hartley can't get his

foot to the ball. Is he not striking because he's under pressure or do

they just want his weight as an post? You can't strike unless you

get your heel out. Doussain gets away from the tackle of Courtney

Lawes. France again get their surge moving.

Good defence by England. It hit the corner flag! The bouncing

ball is causing all sorts of options for England. The corner flag isn't

in play. It doesn't matter. If that had bounced back into play, rather

than out, it would... Oh, it just gets there.

It touched the line, I think, before it touched flag.

REFEREE: When you're passing, you've got to tap it.

Earlier, Billy Twelvetrees rushed defence. But it wasn't just a case

of the French player going straight on. There was a support runner that

made ground. Doussain under pressure from Joe Launchbury. All started by

Launchbury. The passes aren't perfect but that's

excellent work from my anger -- Nyanga. Farrell off the outside of

his route but Picamoles is back. The English intention to hold the

French back isn't working out. Nyanga has had an outstanding first

half. Pape is not offside. It hasn't been

called but it was one. Robshaw comes away with it and does

well from a standing start to make that much ground.

Care looks for the straight runner, who is Dan Cole.

England have to reposition to receive this kick. France put up a

defensive wall and it was solid. England needed to come away from

that series of phases with some sort of reward. They haven't. They are

talking about how any players were coming round the corner.

REFEREE: Carry on. So go white play goes on. It is France's hooker who

is down. Vunipola puts himself up and get some traction.

Penalty advantage England. Care takes it quickly. Danny Care on his

own, five metres short. Hartley tried to get the pass away. Mike

Brown - has he scored his first driver England? Nigel Owens is

confident I think. -- his first try for England. Something out of

nothing and hugely welcome from an England point of view. Danny Care

provided that and that's what he's there for.

Good work from Mike Brown. A lot to do here. One, two, three, four. It

is Mike Brown's first try for England in his 22nd game. Nigel

Owens is waiting to see if there's any reason he can't give it. I don't

think there is any reason why he can't give it.

Only three minutes remaining and if that is given, it -- and the

conversion is successful, a 16-10 visit on the balance of play is very

poor reward for the French dominance of most of this half.

Owen Farrell with the conversion. Note. Good pick-up by Vunipola. A

good finish from Mike Brown. Plisson to restart the France. Their

leaders cut at the end of the first half. Joe Launchbury calls for it.

Brilliantly taken by Jack Nowell. Up to half way.

Picamoles's second clearance of the first half is good. Finally, an

attacking platform for England in this first half. It is very near to

have time. Whatever happens at the end of this series of plays, England

should try and work themselves into a position where they can have a

shot at goal. If they get anything better, great. If not, at least they

have that shot. The advantages over, the advantage

is over! -- advantage is over. Owen Farrell, drop goal, wide. Have

time. It has been helter-skelter at the Stade de France. The home suit

-- the home side lead, by 16-8. It was fascinating, enthralling and

quite confusing. The usual tension that you would

expect at the start of the new championship. Five seconds into the

match, France where to the good. Owen Farrell narrowed the deficit.

Then Jean-Marc Doussain extended the French lead. By this stage, the lead

had extended to 16-3. But this was a really good finish for Mike Brown.

When you look at all the facts and figures, and the tackles that were

made, it has been a game of a real ebb and flow. It is hard to put your

finger on who has the ascendancy in this match. There is lots to

discuss. Jeremy Guscott, you were getting very frustrated? Yes, there

has been lots of opportunity for England. It is very frustrating to

watch. The players are getting into position and making silly mistakes.

I honestly believe that France have lived off England's mistakes. They

do not seem to be generating much, but their counterattacking has been

accurate. I think the French forwards were too much on top. But

16-8. The English character has come through. The physicality of the

French forwards was too much early on. But England have come back. The

last ten minutes where are all England. It is disappointing that

England could not take the points at the end. 16-8, you have three

points, why keep playing. This team have shown a lot of character. I am

not going to have a go at them for not taking the three points. If

Danny Care had made the right decision, they would have scored the

try. But they will learn from that. If the last ten minutes when

England, France were in charge for the first ten minutes. What a

start? Yes. It was great kicking and well executed. France read the game

well. In terms of position and quality, France did well. You can

see that we took that ball. quality, France did well. You can

see that we took Tactically, the French line were organised. We would

expect the French fly half to pass the ball, but he kicked it. Would

you exonerate Jack Nowell from the restart? Yes, it was a tough start.

We can see it again. This is the kick into space. In international

rugby, you have got to get the scrums, line-outs and restarts

correct. To lose the restart, it cause problems. It was a good

bounce. Twice the French could have gone behind the posts, but they did

not get the easy conversion. It was all France at this stage. You will

not win test matches unless you get your restarts right. What about the

second try for France? France have taken their opportunities. You

cannot deny them that. It is good turnover. England have numbers and

support, but they make basic errors. I do not think Alex Goode came up

quickly enough. This time, the bones went for Yoann Huget. You create

your own luck sometimes. This is what amazes me. Yoann Huget could

have gone right around the posts. But he is posing and he dives. It

was a good kick. The absence of Thierry Dusautoir is a key point for

France. We also have to take account that this is a French side of old.

In the modern game, from a turnover, you would expect the fly half to

play the ball. But he kicked it. They attack very well. The French

kicked away possession on several occasions. We saw the footage before

the first half. Just when it seemed that the French were in control of

the game, the resilience of England got them back into it. How important

will this try be at the final whistle? We will have to see. I

liked the way that Danny Care took the initiative. It is the endeavour.

Danny Care could have stopped it and gone for the three points. No, we

can get in behind the defence. I did not mean that one, Jeremy. That was

the right decision. I think that France were tithing. England finish

stronger. England will be more confident that they can win this

game. I am concerned that England have got the ball a lot. It looks

this organised sometimes, but they have the ball. Talk us through some

of the opportunities that England had. Perhaps just the odd mistake

denied them opportunities? We are talking about accuracy. The ball has

been bouncing. They have great attacking shape that we should

before the game. There are two lines of attackers. The handling is

lacking. Billy Twelvetrees just dropped it to Vunipola's ankles.

Jules Plisson is moving from one side of the ruck to the other. But I

think one foul stays on the one side. It is predictable. -- Owen

Farrell stays on one side. I am glad that England are going for it. We

spoke about Billy Twelvetrees. There is an English attack on the wing. If

it went through hands, I think it would have given them more options.

That said, the kick is not bad. I picked up six key mistakes that

England made. If we wipe those out in the second half, we are right

back in the game. That was one of the mistakes, the one that we saw

there. With the ball in hand, England are dangerous. It is small

margins with the handling. I accept the decision-making. An inch the

right way, and they will score. We want them to keep on playing in this

way. I get the impression that you think England might run away with

this? I think England are writing this game. 16-8 is nothing. I think

England have got the fitness. -- England are in this game. France

will slow down the pace of the game in the second half. We are halfway

through the first weekend of the Six Nations. We are going to Dublin

tomorrow for Ireland against Scotland. Wales won the first match

today. It was a real thriller. Alex Cuthbert ex-commission Mark --

Alex Cuthbert! Williams will score for Wales. The second try. Simple.

Two tries for the Italians as well. They had lots of possession. But yet

another away defeat for them. Tomorrow's game rounds of the first

weekend. Our coverage will start at 2:30pm. Down on the touchline, we

have somebody who knows all about English and French rugby. A former

World Cup winner with England. Enjoying the game with a bunch of

your team-mates from Biarritz. As someone who plays in France, tell me

how much pressure this French team has been under? A massive amount of

pressure. There has been talking the press for three weeks about what

happened last year and what has been happening the French camp. There has

been lots of pressure on the boys and the management. They are

performing, they have been fortuitous. Two turnovers from the

England team have cost us. But we are still in the game. You always

say when you play France, do not give the ball to the back three.

Have England been the massed is of their own downfall in that sense? I

think that turnovers kill you. We are playing too much in our own

half. Our kicking game needs to improve. Any opportunity you give

the French, they will take it. You create your own luck in these games.

France got the luck of the bands, but we are still in the game. 16-8

is nothing. You have a good reason for wanting England to win? Yes, I

had a little bet that if England lose, I have got to sing the French

national anthem in front of 300 sponsors. Thank you.

As Stuart Lancaster comes back, at 16-3 to France, another score for

France would have taken them out of sight. You have picked up on a

golden opportunity that went begging. Yes. This is a good example

of the French running the game. If you can off-load that... At 16-3,

that goes to 21-3. That could have been game over. As it was, the try

that Mike Brown scored means that they go right into the second half.

Clive is confident. Thomas, how worried are you? Defence, defence,

defence - that is the keyword for France. It promises to be a

fascinating second-half here in the Stade de France. Let's go back to

Andy and Eddie. COMMENTATOR: France have made a

change at half-time. They've brought on Antoine Burban for his first cap.

Just trying to work out where he's going. He's going into the back row.

Bernard Le Roux has gone off. France lead 16-8. Owen Farrell sends

it into the French 22. Become all weights. -- Picamoles is waiting.

Good kick by Farrell. England on the front foot, keep in the French 22.

If you decide not to make ground and hold your ground, it's important

that kicks like that do go into touch and don't give an easy

opportunity for the defenders. Vital for England to put pressure on this

French line-out, which hitherto has rocked a little bit.

Picamoles leads away from the five metre danger zone.

Vunipola has no number on his shirt but still plenty of strength in his

legs. The trademark of Mike Brown - always

beats the first tackler. Hartley twists the ball back towards

Care. Vunipola to Care. Can he get the ball down?

WHISTLE BLOWS We're going to Jim Yuille again, the

match official. I couldn't see whether he got the ball down. Andy

Nicol to my right is saying yes. A straight decision there. He will

have to find a reason one way or the other. Still in possession. Does he

put it down? Is it short? The line is over. It looks slightly short to

me there. Andy Nicol is fast changing his

mind. It'd be much better if they were explaining what they were

looking for, like in rugby league. I'm not sure you're going to see

that from this angle at all. I think Danny Care knows he's short.

There's nothing clear and obvious there. I'd go back to the penalty.

OK. No try. Back to the penalty and offside. Well, it's the one that

feels like relief for France but it's still a penalty opportunity for

England. Push him back, please, number two. Owen Farrell got one

from a slightly easy position in the first half. Not the best side for a

right footed kicker. But very important for England to open this

half with a score. They've come out with a real fire.

They needed to. Well struck. England are on the

board. They do get their reward for the fine start they've made to this

second-half. 16-11 to France. Next ten minutes will be vital for both

sides. Stuart Lancaster was saying at half-time, "you must hang onto

the ball". Dimitri Szarzewski comes on. Alexandre Flanquart leaves. The

French pack doesn't get any smaller. Maestri has added to the bulk of it.

Luther Burrell gets the pass and Care takes it at pace.

Doussain doesn't want the advantage. They'll take the kick and the little

pause it will deliver to the game. France need to catch their breath. I

think the decision to take that in was the wrong one anyway but he then

got into contact, and you have to see the ball for players are in

support. It would have been better to move up wide.

Noticeable that France have taken their time coming to this line-out.

No need for them to rush. Maestri wins his first line-out.

France looking to take these it out of the game -- take the zip out of

the game. England come away with a put in at the scrum.

Unusually for the French, they didn't seal the ball of bubbly

before they went forward, which allowed two of the England forwards

to get in. -- seal the ball off properly. Not area that England

would have been proud of. I get the feeling that if England

want to win this game, they've got to keep the ball, obviously, but

they've got to keep ambition and keep the French moving. I suppose

it's almost as if Philippe Saint-Andre knew that his forwards

would be stretched so he put six fresh sets of legs on the bench. It

does show, six forwards on the bench, that they are intent on...

While they've done well off the turnover ball, they are intent on

driving and putting England under pressure and getting them on the

back foot. Crouch! Set! France at wheel it round but not

enough to prevent Billy Vunipola coming away.

Chris Robshaw comes away with it. Luther Burrell comes away! The

kicking game worked, the passing game worked. England are level! A

great power by Billy Vunipola. The French couldn't bring him down. He

had the presence of mind to make sure he could off-load the ball. A

good line back towards Vunipola. It's now the French who are under

the cosh, bearing in mind that they seem to be looking to play forward,

England keep moving them around. They could well run out of steam.

Up they go and England, through Owen Farrell, are in front. 18-16 to

England. Players can either have a negative or positive to the attitude

when you pick them. There are things Billy Vunipola cannot do but the

things he can do, like that, our game changing. More changes for

France. Thomas Domingo comes off. There's a Luther Burrell. First

come, first try. Two new players come on for France.

Huget for a hat trick, back to Fofana. Huget goes in... Play on,

says the referee. Mike Brown has delivered a turnover for England.

Hands away, please! And away. The game has opened up. England score,

France nearly score, England have the ball. Happy to keep it in the

forwards' hands. May anger surges onto the ball. --

Nyanga. It's out there for Plisson, one of the two new front row

players, including Forestier. Care loses control and it goes forward

off Care. Two guys wearing 15 share a moment! Danny Care has played a

lot of football in his youth. Couldn't quite get that under

control. Timeout. Just waiting. The England defence did not rush. I

reserve -- as a result, they are covering the kick behind. That was a

big hit by Billy Vunipola. You do not want to run into him. There is

his brother. Mako Vunipola is on. England's intent was to move the

French around, and they have got to keep to that.

The advantage is being played to France. They have got men over. Too

slow. The advantage is now over. Owen Farrell, into space. That will

do. Intelligent play. France have got to try and increase the pace.

They have got to try and manufacturer scoring opportunities.

They cannot afford to play a reactive game. Chris Robshaw just

got a hand first on the ball. Joe Launchbury finished the turnover

job. That was a good turn of pace by

Szarzewski. Now the ball is out of play. That is an uninspired -- that

is an unsatisfactory finish to that play by France. The porting thing is

to make sure that the ball does not going to touch. The crowd have gone

quiet, actually. They have got going again, as they steal the line-out!

Billy Twelvetrees feels the handle. He may have felt it, but he held on

and brought him down. -- feels the hand-off.

Penalty advantage. A drop goal by Danny Care! England's lead grows.

21-16. From 16-3 down, England now lead. The complexion of the game has

changed completely. England are putting pressure on the ball. France

are falling into a trap. They have not had field position, momentum or

the ball. They are kicking, thinking it will give them that, but all it

does is concede possession to England. Maxime Machenaud comes on

at scrum-half. Jean-Marc Doussain goes off.

England will have the scrum. Just as it was England in the first-half

spilling the ball, it is the French now pressure doing it. Stuart

Lancaster will be thinking, do not give the French anything. Do not

give penalties away. Here comes Dylan Hartley. This will keep the

momentum up. If the French are good enough to take points away from you,

fine. There is nothing you can do about that. If you go back to the

England score, I have been really impressed by Owen Farrell tonight.

Look what he does really well. Look, he is looking forward. He pulls the

ball back to Vunipola. He off-loads it. People were saying behind me

that there was a crossover for that try, but there was not. England have

changed their hooker. Tom Youngs is on. We have got brothers, we have a

father with a signed on the field. Tom Youngs has a brother, Ben, who

is not in the match day squad. Penalty advantage to France. Mathieu

Bastareaud has the ball. Yoann Huget comes away with it, but

the referee has blown. Just as the referee said advantage over, there

was a mistake. It was a great shame for England that Danny Care's break

was not finished off. But it was finished off by a great piece of

robbing work by Mathieu Bastareaud. Yoann Huget, from not being

involved, very much involved. There will be a change at scrum-half

for England. This is the Owen Farrell break. This is a top drawer

example from Owen Farrell. Danny Care, a job well done. He, as much

as anyone, has been responsible for England getting back into this game

and taking the lead. Lee Dickson, gives away the free

kick. That is not a great start. That is the problem when hookers

cannot hook. Haven't heard Bastareaud's name much

in this game, for all his billing. Alex Goode puts the pressure back on

France. Vunipola, the number eight, hangs

onto Picamoles. Pape tries to get the ball to

Fofana. Dulin puts boot to ball down in the

22. France are definitely look heavy on their feet. Yes, that's a good

kick at England's line-up hasn't been peerless but has worked

reasonably well. That's the problem with that sort of

boy. If you can't put pressure on the line-up, all you do is give

possession away. Dickson takes kicking duty. Nowell comes away with

a real chance for England. England have taken play from five

metres from their own goal-line, to... Oh! They need to walk away

from this. That might be worthy of a review.

REFEREE: You've both been acting very immature. Get on with the game,

both of you. Nigel Owens right again. He said, "more of your

conversation would infect my brain, so please be quiet" .

There is an England player write-down on the foresight. -- on

the far side. Only the final whistle will tell how

important that lost line-out was that they could have driven up all

and put a score over here, I think that would have been beyond France.

A lost opportunity. WHISTLE BLOWS REFEREE: Number eight?

A free kick. When we're talking about France, if

you think about it, England ended up on France's five metre line there.

Brad Barritt is warming up but isn't on yet. France defend this

scrummage. Now then, this England performance

in the second-half Clive? They're five points up and the next score is

absolutely critical. They should be setting up for a drop goal. Hugely

proud of everyone. But let's calm heads. Three points win the game so

let's put on a drop goal routine and get eight points ahead, then we win.

A little knock-on by Jack Nowell but, Brian, this has just been all

England in the second half. Yeah, a turn around that was needed. Jack

Nowell has been a mixed bag. He's done a few things poorly, a couple

of things out of the top drawer, but it's his first cap. Yeah, well, it's

been is rooted second half. The points have come and Billy Vunipola

has more than played his part. He comes off, Ben Morgan goes on. Brad

Barritt is also on. Luther Burrell is still on. Jack Nowell goes off.

Luther Burrell goes on to the right wing. France have the put-in at the

scrummage. They trailed by five points. They haven't spent much time

outside this half. They'll be out of their half now

because they have a long penalty kick. There goes Jack Nowell.

Vunipola was seen by Nigel Owens. He has a tendency sometimes to lose his

mind and if that goes, you're going to get picked. No point shaking your

head. I have a feeling here that this

particular set of players will be absolutely crucial for France. If

they don't get some points out of this and England clear and get

another platform in French territory, their confidence is going

to dip markedly. It's a new pack for France. He is one of the

replacements, Dimitri Szarzewski. Here is another one, Slimani the

prop. France will have the scrum. That's

unusual for Chris Robshaw. Whilst he doesn't make this searing breaks and

flattering passes that a lot of others make, he makes a lot of hard

yards and very rarely loses the ball in contact. That occasion, he'll be

hoping, won't come back to haunt England. Chris Robshaw discusses the

situation. He's having a word with the refs about the previous swing

penalty, talking about binding. Dave Atwood comes on and will go into the

second row. I think Courtney Lawes has had a wonderful game. The credit

must go to the England pack for the second half. They appreciably up to

their workrate. -- increased their workrate. They won the front foot

for the majority of the time of the second period. Composure and

accuracy now needed. Wind! Set! And no penalties. Nigel Owens lets

France get away with that. It seems to go down the tight head side.

WHISTLE BLOWS The French would say Vunipola was at

the wrong angle and was too far back and therefore couldn't keep the

scrum up when it went below level. But all the time, the clock is

ticking for England in England's favour. I wish the French would get

on with this, actually. Bind! Set! Will his moment for a hat trick,?

France get the drive this time. That's going to be a penalty.

Penalty to France. With that sort of moment, do you go for the scrummage

or take the points? Take the points. There's 11 minutes left yet. This

puts you with in a drop goal. Marshall no.

Congratulations go to Yannick Forestier, fresh on, looking at

Maxime Machenaud. Simple enough and France are up to 19. England still

have the lead but only now by two points. It's now a question of nerve

- who blinks first. I get the feeling it will come down to that.

Francis centre forward scurrying across the field. He tackled by Ben

Morgan. -- France's centre forwards. Morgan shows off Huget and

puts Burban on his backside. Dan Cole looks up and finds Farrell.

England's hooker, Tom Youngs... Dimitri Szarzewski didn't buy it.

Farrell's out of the game. He's limping. Mike Brown is the acting

outside half. Farrell is finished. Dave Atwood. Penalty advantage to

England. Farrell doesn't want it. He can't do

anything. WHISTLE BLOWS We go back to the

offside penalty. Farrell is out of the game. Alex

Goode has indicated that he'll kick the goal. It looks like cramp. This

time, France being penalised for not moving out of the league quick

enough. -- out of the way. Owen Farrell does go down. Looks like

cramp. Here is the new kicker for England, Alex Goode.

The kick is goodbye Goode. 24-19 to England. They've got to be focusing

on the restart. Remember the first 30 seconds? This is it. They've got

to get position very quickly and get themselves really organised. It's

one of the mysteries of the day - where is Clive? ! A magnificent

charge by the Gloucester number eight, Ben Morgan. Goode towards

Plisson. The kicking game will not be enough for France. Nearly 74

minutes. Mike Brown puts England enter France's half.

They're five metres behind where they started. The England centres

deserve a lot of credit for looking after Bastareaud today because he's

been largely anonymous. Machenaud feeds Plisson.

It's therefore Mako Vunipola. Can he get the pass away? He takes it to

ground. Just a little knock-on there.

Nigel Owens right on hand to see that accidental offside.

Gael Fickou, 19 years old, comes on for Mathieu Bastareaud. They will

not be running Gael Fickou hard at any brick walls. We are in a game

where people are getting cramp. Perhaps we need people who can put

some pace into the game. The French have not been as dynamic in the

second half. The French backs have looked pedestrian. Mathieu

Bastareaud was very average. We are into the last five minutes. England

lead by five points. France will have to come from deep. I do not

mind pointing out referees when they do not do things right. Nigel Owens

has been excellent today. Well done to him and his officials.

The finish by Gael Fickou. He is going under the posts. France are

going to steal it. Listen to this. CHEERING. Well, the crowd have quite

rightly gone into raptures. The French have been patient. They did

not force the pass. Gael Fickou, all right, he is not going to run

through anybody, but he might run around you. Dramatic from the

French. It is right under the posts as well. France will take all the

time for this conversion, but England will have time. Good work by

Szarzewski, drying the man, not releasing the ball until the

would-be defender came to him. -- drawing the man. The French need

this for the lead. The kick is good. France lead again. What relief for

Philippe Saint-Andre, what joy for the crowd.

I do not think you can blame Alex Goode. He had the decision to make.

Perhaps he should have hit to the first man and left the past to look

after itself. It is difficult. -- left the pass.

It is an advantage to France. Knock-on advantage. That is it.

France will eat up the time. Not yet. We will have the scrum. No, not

the final whistle, but France will run the clock then. The effort from

the England forwards has been tremendous, however, I did say at

about minutes 68, hi mate -- how much will be lost at the five metre

line come back to haunt them? That was a significant point. They could

have put the game beyond France at this point. But they did not.

Szarzewski, the hooker. He gave the pass. Yannick Nyanga, one of the

rare French forwards to go the full 80 minutes. The England players have

to suffer the French national anthem. How close England have come,

but the game has been stolen by France. Pascal Pape, the French

captain, he said that only a victory would do. They are going to get one,

banning giving away a penalty. -- barring giving away.

England nearly get the drive going. The French have the put in. Nigel

Owens has already said, the scrum has got to complete. Philippe

Saint-Andre is impatient. This is a massively important victory for

France. And in the Six Nations, it is very significant, as victory or a

loss in the first game. Maxime Machenaud will feed the scrum.

Into the crowd, and the whistle will go for the end of the match. It has

been a thriller in Paris, and the home team have won it. It ends 26-24

to France. What the start. England are

distraught. It was there for the taking and France snatched it from

them. This is how the table legs. -- table looks.

Clive, how? How? I am massively proud of the England team. Massive

courage. Joe Launchbury, a big game. That was a massive victory for

France. For England, we played so well. They have got to learn how to

close out the game. Thomas, your face was a picture for 35mm in the

second half and suddenly changed? It changed when we had the ball in

hand. We played with flair. Szarzewski made a very good pass.

Jeremy Guscott? Small margins, keep going until the last minute of the

game. England look narrower all evening. They were kicking behind

the defence. That is something to work on for the game against

Scotland. There is a massive atmosphere in the stadium. Everyone

was delighted. Do you think that England will take more from this

game than France? I think that France have a good time -- I think

that France have a good team. Gael Fickou is one of the best running

backs in the world. England can close the game with a massive amount

of positives. The last word to the winner. Yes, England played the big

game. The defence was well organised. We could only find the

gaps in the defence in the last five minutes. An extraordinary start to

this fantastic competition. Sport has the ability to take you from

ecstasy to agony in the blink of an eye. We will see you in Dublin.