France get the second half started, before being penalised for a high shot on England's first set of the second half.

It was an impressive performance by England's women earlier, scoring 12 tries in their win over France.

The men claimed six in the first half so can they now top the women's tally? The sides are back out for the second half.

If this is a sign of things to come then the future is bright for England. A fine first half by a side featuring 13 debutants.

France have also missed 14 tackles while the hosts haven't missed a single one.

France give England another golden opportunity to stretch their lead before the break as Tanguy Zenon steps into touch as he gathers a kick behind.

France men’s head coach Laurent Frayssinous, speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s been a tough first half. The last play [for the fifth try] was a killer for us. We couldn’t read Danny Walker’s kicking and Harry Smith and George Williams, their kicking game has been great and we’ve been under pressure. It’s been tough, but it’s a learning curve for our kids.

“England had built pressure against us in the first 20-25 minutes and they got the reward off the back of that. We will keep working and keep trying, and that’s what we will do for the rest of the game.”

Not much urgency from France there on that set, and England swiftly turn them round when they get the ball back, with Warrington hooker Danny Walker kicking a 40-20.

A rare error from England gives France a scrum deep in the hosts' territory.

Arthur Mourgue tries a grubber kick and England full-back Jack Welsby is just unable to escape from the in-goal area so it's a goal-line drop-out.

Ouch!published at 17 mins

17 mins

England 6-0 France

France are penalised for offside to give England another set, from which George Williams sends another kick into the in-goal area.

Jack Wardle chases it down and dives for the ball but can't quite touch it down before smashing through an advertising hoarding and onto the concrete terracing.

The pitch is still slippery from the rain earlier, and thankfully after a few moments of treatment, the Wigan centre is able to continue.

France are building some good possession before a knock-on gives England reprieve.

The visitors are certainly giving a better account of themselves than the women's team earlier.

Here's Elizabeth Hudson's report on England's 64-0 victory in their first game since last year's World Cup.

France now impressing with the boot, as scrum-half Cesar Rouge kicks a 40-20, with the ball bouncing on the line.

The visitors are unable to take advantage of that early opportunity though.

Another superb kick in behind by George Williams forces France full-back Tanguy Zenon to concede a second goal-line drop-out.

Positive start by England as from their first set, Harry Smith's high kick puts France under pressure and a posse of chasers force the visitors to concede a goal-line drop-out.

And England get today's mid-season international with France under way.

The national anthems are now being played so as you might have guessed, kick-off will be a few minutes after 16:30 BST.

For the record, England have won 39 of their previous 48 meetings with France, although the last of France's seven wins came in 1981.