England Women beat France 23-13 in first autumn international

England Women ran in three tries as they beat France in the first of their four autumn internationals.

Debutant Amber Reed kicked two penalties and a conversion to add to tries from Ruth Laybourn, Joanne Watmore and Fiona Davidson.

After falling behind to a Jessy Tremouliere try, England took the lead through Laybourn just before half-time.

England went further ahead after Watmore's converted try before Davidson sealed victory late on.

World champions New Zealand are the next opponents for England, coached by Gary Street, in a three-match series which starts on 23 November.

England beat France 29-25 to lift the European Cup last May, shortly after securing their seventh successive Six Nations title and sixth Grand Slam in seven years.

Amber Reed, who kicked eight points, is the niece of former Bath, Scotland and British Lions lock Andy Reed.

England Women: 15 Danielle Waterman, 14 Francesca Matthews, 13 Claire Allan, 12 Amber Reed (Large), 11 Ruth Laybourn (Watmore), 10 Alice Richardson, 9 Natasha Hunt (Davidson), 1 Rosemarie Crowley (Clark), 2 Emma Croker (Fleetwood), 3 Kate Newton (Keates), 4 Rowena Burnfield, 5 Emily Braund (Taylor), 6 Heather Fisher, 7 Jane Leonard (Noel-Smith), 8 Sarah Hunter (captain)