England 19-14 France: Red Rose edge fierce ‘friendly’ encounter in World Cup warm-up opener
Sam Burgess was among three debutants as England kicked off their World Cup preparation with an edgy 19-14 victory over France at Twickenham.
Anthony Watson bagged a brace of tries and Jonny May also crossed, while the fit-again Owen Farrell - back from a knee injury which ruled him out of the Six Nations - scored two successful conversions.
Uncapped centres Burgess and Henry Slade enjoyed fine evenings and staked their claims for a spot in head coach Stuart Lancaster’s final squad of 31 for the upcoming global showpiece on home soil, though Burgess's outing was marred by a needless yellow card on the strike of half-time.
The 100th meeting between the RBS 6 Nations rivals saw England's backs thrill the 63,000 crowd while France's pack bossed the forward exchanges, but a tight and entertaining Test ended with a sixth straight Red Rose victory at Twickenham.
France started strongly, with a grubber from Remi Lamerat hacked into the dead ball area only for an outstretched hand from Jonny May to prevent wing Brice Dulin from touching down.
The visitors fell just short with a succession of forward drives but were rewarded with a penalty that Morgan Parra sent between the uprights.
Having barely touched the ball inside the opening ten minutes England scored the evening’s first try with their first meaningful attack; Bath wing Watson receiving the ball from the quick-hands of Slade, darting past a woeful tackle from Dulin and touching down.
Seven minutes later Watson scored his second after Burgess, Farrell and Jonny May combined in the midfield to create space that the 21-year-old turned into a try after a clever jink.
But France continued to attack with Parra landing two further penalties to reduce the deficit at the half-time break to 12-9.
Burgess was sent to the sin bin in the 36th minute, with the craft Parra taking a quick-tap penalty and Burgess, who had not retreated ten yards, pulling back his shirt in an act that exposed his lack of union nous.
The electric pace of the first-half slowly ebbed away as the second period progressed, though it began in chaotic fashion as by the 46th minute England had scored their third try as May gathered Goode’s clever chip into space and strolled over.
Clark was sent to the sin-bin for grabbing Guilhem Guirado around the neck but France then missed the chance to make the most of a man advantage as substitute Uini Atonio dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.
There were worrying signs for England in the final quarter as the traditional source of Red Rose strength struggled at the set-piece, although the flurry of replacements hardly helped cohesion.
Fulgence Ouedraogo ensured France were still within touching distance of an upset when he touched down at the end of a line out drive that scattered white shirts.
Twickenham was silent as France launched a late assault knowing a try would seize victory, but the crowd were soon belting out "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the hosts managed to grind out the win, as substitute James Haskell secured a penalty and the final whistle was blown.