France 22 England 9

France 22 England 9

England’s final World Cup warm-up game resulted in a predictable defeat at the Stade Velodrome as France triumphed 22-9.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked three penalties for the visitors, but England were undone by a Yannick Jauzion try, 14 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde points and a late Frederic Michalak penalty.

England also saw skipper Phil Vickery carried off just before half-time after he was on the receiving end of a crunching midfield collision that involved team-mate Simon Shaw and France centre Damien Traille.

Wasps lock Shaw was yellow-carded – France scored 10 points in his absence - and England never recovered as they crashed to yet another away defeat.

Wilkinson’s third successful penalty brought England to 10 points adrift, yet France were in no mood to roll over and Michalak took over kicking duties from Elissalde to make it 22-9 with seven minutes remaining.

Corry limped off in the closing stages, and with England having utilised their substitute options, Farrell went into the back-row as fly-half Olly Barkley took over from Corry.

The final whistle could not come quickly enough, and it duly arrived with France pressing for another score.