Tris: I'm really surprised to see an Eddie Jones team this hopeless in attack. We're missing some key players but this is plain awful.

Anon: When are people going to realise that Owen Farrell is the weakness, he is not an inside centre and has no natural instinct, he plays like a second fly-half so nothing gets passed outside quickly.

Image source, Rex Features

The script hasn't changed. England lose another ruck.

And that's the sixth ruck they've been penalised at out of 61 during today's match.

Maro Itoje goes into the tackle with Yacouba Camara, England fail to seal off the ruck and France pile in.

England are allowing this to happen time and time again, and you've got to question the leadership at this point.

Brian Moore
Former England hooker on BBC One

That is a lack of planning. If George Ford is the first player into the ruck he is not going to move Bastareaud who is 20 stone. Ford has to be helped there.

Breakdown beast Mathieu Bastareaud, as if answering my call, steps up once again and wins France a penalty.

He clamps down on the ball at the ruck, and in comes George Ford to try and move the 19 stone man mountain. Strangely, Bastareaud stays put.

Image source, Getty Images

Philippe Saint-Andre
Former France coach on BBC One

I think France will carry on like this. They have a strong bench and they need to bring something in the last 20 minutes.

Mathieu Bastareaud, I think that's the first time I've said his name this evening.

The monstrous centre has been quiet for France so far, but puts in a big hit early in the second half, as if to announce he is still there.

It's a dawdling start to the second 40, as Chris Robshaw takes England up to the half-way line and Basatareaud smashes into Sam Simmonds this time.

But Sebastian Vahaamahina gives away a silly penalty for taking the man out and puts his side under pressure,

No changes for England at half time. George Ford gets the second half under way at the Stade de France.

Keep all your fingers crossed for a try. Just one would be nice.

Nick Hall: I've found an answer to England's lack of penetration and guile. His name is Danny Cipriani, his off-loading on the gain-line and creating holes in defences. Simples. Oh wait, Eddie Jones doesn't know who he is!! Darn it.

Sean: This England rugby team are massively overrated, awful at the breakdown, poor decision making, no penetration. When will the so called experts recognise this?

Ben: Ireland are lauded and they won with a last second drop goal in Paris. England are tied at half time. Bit of perspective. England will win this and beat Ireland next week. Ireland will win the trophy but it won't mean a thing after losing to England on St Patrick's Day.

Mark Summers: Apparently in the first half England were ‘passive’ and ‘inert’. Can you just say ‘terrible’ please?!

They were terrible.

Image source, BBC Sport

That half from England has been described as an absolute shambles, and I agree.

For the French, it was just what they wanted, and for the neutrals, it was just dull.

England need four tries in the second half to keep this Championship alive, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed one or both sides up the intensity, up the tempo and cross the whitewash.

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Jeremy Guscott
Former Lions and England centre on BBC One

No one is playing well for England. There is no energy, explosion or players saying 'give the ball to me'. There are no leaders out there.

Image source, Getty Images

Here are Ian Robertson's first-half notes...

And they make this live text commentary seem rather redundant! Let's hope there's more to write about in the second 40.

Anon: It makes sense to takes the points at this stage, France are liable to let their heads drop when behind and England are capable of rattling in a few tries in a short period. I wonder also if biggest priority is to win today, rather than the Six Nations. All about preparing for the World Cup.

Put your names on messages please...

Anon: Rugby is meant to be attritional in the forward line not for those watching it. I feel like I'm stuck at the bottom of a 16-man ruck. Dreadful game.

I feel your pain [insert name]...

Dave: No penetration for Endland at all! Walking from breakdown to breakdown. Playing straight into France's hands. Need to up the tempo, move France around and create gaps for fast runners from deep!

Sonja McLaughlan
Rugby union reporter at Stade de France

The Six Nations trophy is in Paris. It rotates around grounds apparently to put it's best face forward. But at half time in Paris it looks for all the world like that silverware is destined for the Emerald Isle. Slightly turgid affair this and England certainly not playing like potential champions.

Matt Dawson
Former Lions and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live

It's as if England are just expecting to score tries, and at the end of that first half, they were so poor attacking-wise - it was an absolute shambles and that summed up England's first half.

Jeremy Guscott
Former Lions and England centre on BBC One

England tend to go in at the breakdown with two men. In doing that they rely on one man to clear out brilliantly and that is difficult in today's game.

Thirteen penalties. Eight conceded by England, five conceded by France.

What has gone wrong for Eddie Jones' men?

Image source, Opta

Martin Johnson
Former Lions and England captain on BBC One

It is a scrappy game. The England attack is not fluent. England are not really getting over the gain line because France are good at the breakdown.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Summers: Apart from the first 12 minutes that was a rotten first half. Come on, England!

Jon Evans: Awful half of rugby. Penalty after penalty, scrappy and no-one looking like scoring a try. No fluidity to the game at all.