The French desire to keep the ball alive in contact is reflected in their eight offloads in the first half.

If you missed Scotland's win over Ireland in the tournament opener earlier today, you really missed out.

Here it is though...

Image source, getty

Scott Spedding has already run for 93 metres. Only 10 less than Stuart Hogg produced earlier in 80 minutes.

Jonathan Dale: Wow. That was bad. If this is England being daring, I'd rather have 'boring'. 

Nick Hughes: This is a different France, a competitive France. Something we haven't seen for years. Frustrating England & look dangerous. 

Jon SalingeR: I might be an English supporter but there is nothing as exciting as watching France playing beautiful rugby. 

Dave Sommerville: Spedding has been impressive for France, helped in part by England's kicking out of hand which has been dreadful  

England coach Eddie Jones will be using the sharp side of his tongue in the home dressing room.

His side have been disjointed as a whole and indisciplined individually. And they are lucky not to be behind. 

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer live at Twickenham

The only aspect of that first half Eddie Jones can take any comfort in is the scoreline. To be level after being so far below their best - or indeed their expected - is both fortunate and unmerited. Much better must follow in the second 40 minutes if the Six Nations is not to continue with a second big upset.

The French lead in every attacking statistic at half time, except for the one that really matters. They have made 344 metres and six clean breaks, but no tries to show for it.

Image source, Rex Features

Paul Grayson
Ex-England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live

Everything England have talked about, everything you want them not to do, they have done - a sin-bin as well. I think the rugby gods helped get the referee out of a bit of a pickle, too.

But England got away with it right at the end of the first half when France should have scored a try.

Virimi Vakatawa with a lovely arcing break and a perfect off-load to the supporting Scott Spedding.

England's defence is stretched drum-tight. A cross-kick from Camille Lopez probes for the opening, but Jonny May does well to hold up the French backs.

Maro Itoje jackals around the breakdown and wins the nod from the referee.

No time left and Owen Farrell kicks to the stands.

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Reuben: This is one of the worst halves of rugby I've seen England play under Eddie Jones. Poor decision making and indiscipline.

Gareth: This prima donna of a referee is ruining this match.  

Christian Knott: This referee is way too picky!  

Brian Moore
Former England hooker

That kick was important psychologically because France will go into the dressing room at half-time having dominated the play, having played much the better rugby, without the lead. 

Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live

What you are seeing is a referee that knows he has made a blunder. 

He will give England a few decisions. He has got it wrong so he is going to give a few bits back to England, that's the way it goes.

It has happened plenty of times when I have been in the referee's ear and thought 'oh no', because you know the next few decisions are going against you.

An absolute siege gun of a boot.

Elliot Daly steps up and slugs the ball clean off the laces. It sails over and England are level.

Image source, AP

There is a lot of testosterone and not a lot of grey matter at work in that French pack.

So eager to get the shove on, that they forget to wait for the put-in.

Penalty England and Elliot Daly's long-range boot takes responsibility from out near halfway...

Image source, AFP

One more point on that Picamoles stat about making the most metres so far. He has travelled further than all eight England forwards combined. Unfortunately he now seems to be carrying an injury. Potentially huge for the French.  

Camille Lopez pulls his penalty and the gap remains at three.