England XV vs France XV LIVE: Rugby result, match stream and latest updates after Twickenham thriller
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
Live updates
England XV 24-26 France XV
Full-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'
83 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
82 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
79 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'
75 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
74 mins: France have the ball down following the rolling maul but the TMO will check the grounding...
England XV 24-12 France XV
74 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
72 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
70 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
68 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.