England Women tumble again

In a Women's International at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Châteaurenard on Saturday, France came from behind to snatch a 16-15 victory over England, France's second win in three days.

On Wednesday France won 14-5 in a match for which England did not award caps.

It was raining in south-eastern France when these two teams played but England seemed to master the conditions better and led 7-6 at the break. With 12 minutes to play, England led 15-9 but then France scored their only try and won by a point.

England score first when teenage debutante Alexandra Matthews scored a try which centre Emily Scarratt converted. 7-0 after four minutes.

France came back and flyhalf Aurielle Bailon kicked two penalties (and missed two) to bring the score to 7-6.

As in the first half, England scored first in the second when Emily Scarratt broke out of defence and sent Michaela Staniford racing over for a try. 12-6 which became 12-9 when Aurielle Bailon kicked her third and then 15-9 when Emily Scarratt kicked her first penalty goal of the match.

France then got on top and were desperately close to scoring before Aurielle Bailon chipped and Laureline Fourcade scored in the right corner. Aurielle Bailon's difficult conversion hit an upright and went over for France's victory.

The scorers:

For France:
Try: Laureline Fourcade
Con: Aurielle Bailon
Pens: Bailon 3

For England:
Tries: Alexandra Matthews, Michaela Stanford
Con: Emily Scarratt
Pen: Scarratt

The teams:

England: 15 Kay Wilson, 14 Katherine Merchant, 13 Georgina Roberts, 12 Emily Scarratt, 11 Michaela Staniford, 10 Kimberley Oliver, 9 La Toya Mason, 8 Sarah Hunter, 7 Marlie Packer, 6 Alexandra Matthews, 5 Rowena Burnfield, 4 Tamara Taylor, 3 Laura Keates, 2 Victoria Fleetwood, 1 Rochelle Clark.
Replacements: 16 Amy Turner, 17 Rosemarie Crowley, 18 Harriet Millar-Mills, 19 Hannah Gallagher, 20 Isobel Noel-Smith, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Ceri Large.

France: 15 Jessy Tremouliere, 14 Laurelin Fourcade, 13 Marjorie Mayans, 12 Laura Di Muzio, 11 Dioni Aguerre, 10 Aurélie Bailon, 9 Marie Alice Yahe, 8 Claire Canal, 7 Rodriguez, 6 Amandine Chatelier, 5 Cyrielle Bouisset, 4 Marine De Nadaï, 3 Christelle Chobet, 2 Laetitia Salles, 1 Hélène Ezanno.
Replacements: 16 Gaëlle Migno, 17 Elodie Portaries, 18 Assa Koïta, 19 Audrey Forlani, 20 Jennifer Troncy, 21 Sandrine Agricole, 22 Chloe Pelle.