Summary

  • France 8-40 England in Toulouse

  • Fouad Yaha gives hosts lead with third-minute try - and Arthur Mourgue makes it 8-0 with long-range penalty

  • England respond with four tries in 12 minutes - one from Jack Welsby, two for Ash Handley and another from Tom Johnstone to make it 18-8 at half-time

  • England withstand intense spell of pressure after break before Matty Nicholson, Welsby and George Williams take them clear

  • Tom Johnstone rounds off scoring in last minute

  • Assistant Andy Last leading England as head coach Shaun Wane is recovering from ankle surgery

  • Earlier, England's women beat France 42-0

  • Get involved: #bbcrl, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Postpublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 29 June

    HT: France 8-18 England

    Here come the players now for the second half.

    I haven't mentioned them today, but France are wearing special 90th anniversary retro kits, marking nine deacdes of rugby league in the country.

    They're a very smart blue with a white collar and a red and white V-shape on the front. Even if they lose today's games, I think they have won in the fashion stakes.

  2. Postpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 29 June

    HT: France 8-18 England

    France's Ben Garcia is making his 250th career appearance today. To do so in international colours is a nice treat.

    He won't have too much to celebrate if it stays like this, however.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 29 June

    #bbcrl, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    As always, we are keen to hear what you have to say on today's games and on matters rugby league in general.

    Get in touch using the details above.

  4. 'England in a decent position'published at 18:02 British Summer Time 29 June

    Paul Cooke
    Former England international on SuperLeague+

    I just think England were a bit lax coming out for a Test match. They got what they deserved in the first 20 minutes, and when the French went 8-0 ahead, that’s when England got in a huddle and decided to change it, and probably go to the way they were supposed to go from the start, to move the French players around, and they became much better.

    The game’s certainly not over but England are in a decent position. Once they wrestled the momentum back, they got 18 points in 12 minutes, which is some going.

  5. 'England found their rhythm eventually'published at 17:59 British Summer Time 29 June

    Matt Newsum
    BBC Radio 5 Live in Toulouse

    England didn't make the best of starts in that first half - but it's not how you start, it's how you finish, and they did find their rhythm in that half eventually.

  6. Postpublished at 17:56 British Summer Time 29 June

    HT: France 8-18 England

    England were poor for 20 minutes, then irresistible for 10.

    France were excellent for 20 minutes, then simply blown away.

    But, there remains all to play for here. A really watchable game so far.

  7. Half-timepublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 29 June

    France 8-18 England

    No, it's really good defending by England.

    A half of two halves.

  8. Postpublished at 40 mins

    France 8-18 England

    Final minute of the half, and an England knock-on gives France a scrum.

    Can they make this count?

  9. Postpublished at 39 mins

    France 8-18 England

    France, after the penalty, try to break through the English defence 10 metres from the line.

    But Leeds Rhinos' Justin Sangaré gets stuck in traffic, tries to twist his way out and fumbles the ball forwards. A major chance lost for the hosts.

  10. Postpublished at 38 mins

    France 8-18 England

    Penalty to France, but Olly Wilson avoids the sin bin.

    He's a lucky lad.

  11. Postpublished at 38 mins

    France 8-18 England

    Ooh, handbags at dawn after a late challenge.

    César Rouge kicks, and Oliver Wilson comes in and shoves him in the face. Totally pointless and very silly from the England man.

    England and France players confront each otherImage source, SWPix
  12. Postpublished at 38 mins

    France 8-18 England

    Another massive kick from Jack Welsby, but well taken again by the French, this time by Hakim Miloudi.

    This game remains very competitive, two teams doing all they can.

  13. Postpublished at 36 mins

    France 8-18 England

    Arthur Mourgue makes a really good take from a steepling England kick, under huge pressure.

    France's strong start means they are not out of this yet, but need to avoid conceding again before half time.

  14. Postpublished at 35 mins

    France 8-18 England

    England have scored 18 points in just over 10 minutes. Phenomenal.

    If Harry Smith had not left his kicking boots at home, they could be out of sight.

  15. try

    TRY - France 8-18 Englandpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 29 June

    Tom Johnstone (33 mins)

    Tom Johnstone and Jack Welsby celebrateImage source, SWPix

    The wingers are running riot.

    Credit has to go to the midfielders too - captain George Williams with a terrific looping pass out left, leaving Tom Johnstone with the easiest finish into space in the corner.

    Harry Smith misses his conversion again. One in four so far, not really good enough.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 29 June

    #bbcrl, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Gee: Do you think Shaun Wane phoned in to give them a stern word? Completely different side in the last 6 minutes

  17. Postpublished at 31 mins

    France 8-14 England

    France must feel like they have been mugged. What was a well-earned lead, stolen away in a matter of moments.

    A kick into space swirls in the wind and over the England dead ball line. What was landing perfectly for the French before, is no longer.

  18. Postpublished at 29 mins

    France 8-14 England

    Watching the last eight minutes or so, it has been like England have been on fast forward.

    They were clearly stung by going 8-0 down, and have responded in the right way.

  19. try

    TRY - France 8-14 Englandpublished at 17:37 British Summer Time 29 June

    Ash Handley (28 mins)

    Three in six minutes!

    Ash Handley gets his name on the score sheet again, scoring again in the right corner after a Harry Newman lay-off.

    But the man who deserves the most credit is Tom Johnstone, who beat around six men with a jinking run before a Hollywood 20-yard pass to his right to find Newman. Superb rugby.

    Harry Smith looks to redeem himself from the tee - but it falls short! So France are still within a converted try of England.

  20. Postpublished at 27 mins

    France 8-10 England

    After 20 minutes, England were losing by two scores.

    Six minutes later, they lead.

    Rugby league comes at you fast sometimes.