With France having been abject in last year's Six Nations and England having missed out on the crown to Wales, a positive start was imperative for both sides …Photograph: JEFFROY GUY/SIPA/REXFrance scored two fortuitous tries in the first half, both through Yoann Huget. On both occassions the ball bounced favourably for Huget to collect and race over the try-line. His first came after just 32 seconds following Jules Plisson's deflected cross-kickPhotograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesEngland reponded just before the break with a try from Mike Brown who muscled through France's defencePhotograph: Andrew Fosker/Seconds Left/REXHaving trailed 16-8 at half-time, a try from England's debutant centre Luther Burrell brough them right back into the match in the second half. Burrell scored under the posts courtesy of Billy Vunipola's run and passPhotograph: THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty ImagesHuget and Brown confronted one another as tempers rosePhotograph: THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty ImagesPenalties helped England to establish a narrow lead, but with three minutes remaining, Gaël Fickou of France crushed England's hopes when he burst through to score behind the posts. The conversion from Machenaud made it 26-24.Photograph: Christophe Karaba/EPAA slender but critical win for France, despite a valiant comeback from EnglandPhotograph: John Berry/Getty Images
