France 7 England 12 - Half-time

England lead France today thanks to the trusty boot of Jonny Wilkinson.

With a slippery ball, handling was tricky for both sides and after Frederic Michalak had sliced an early kick, England piled on the early pressure.

Eight minutes in, Jonny Wilkinson turned the possession into points with a right-footed drop goal to open the scoring.

But France hit back immediately after bursting through the England defence, Betsen held off the attentions of both Hill and Jason Robinson to touch down - though it was only confirmed after a detailed look by television official Andrew Cole.

Michalak landed the conversion from wide left but as the rain swept in again he missed two simple penalties from in front of the posts.

France were reduced to 14-men for 10 minutes when Christophe Dominici clumsily tackled Jason Robinson, earning him a yellow car.

On 24 minutes Jonny Wilkinson brought England within a point with a penalty goal to make it 7-6.

Wilkinson's drop goal with his right foot after some good England pressure gave England a 9-7 lead late in the first half.

WIth the last kick of the first half, Wilkinson added to England's lead with another penalty to give them a 12-7 lead.