England 22-12 France
International, Headingley, Sunday October 23
England hit back with a strong second-half performance to stave off the threat of a shock defeat at the hands of a rejuvenated France.
Organised and enterprising under new coach John Monie, the French were on course for their first win over England for 24 years when they led 12-6 at half-time at Headingley.
But half-backs Chris Thorman and Luke Robinson came to the fore after the interval as the Super League class began to tell, but the recent resurgence across the Channel showed every sign of continuing as France warmed up for their internationals with Australia and New Zealand.
England, with the incentive of places up for grabs in Great Britain's Tri-Nations squad, went in front after six minutes when skipper Thorman took a pass from his Huddersfield team-mate Eorl Crabtree and side-stepped his way through for the opening try.
The Giants stand-off added the conversion to make it 6-0 but France, full of confidence after their 80-0 win over Russia, hit back in impressive fashion.
Some powerful running from second rower Djamel Fakir, one of eight players from Super League newcomers Les Catalans, softened up the England defence and experienced half-backs Laurent Frayssinous and Julien Rinaldi orchestrated a series of dangerous attacking moves.
The visitors drew level on 15 minutes when hooker David Berthezene forced his way over from close range following a break by centre Jerome Hermet, and they went in front when right winger Freddy Zitter took Gregory Mounis' cut-out pass to score a second try.
Zitter, who played the 2005 season with National League club Barrow, could have had two further tries before the break as the French enjoyed the majority of possession.
He had one effort at the corner disallowed by the video referee for a foot in touch and then looked on in frustration as Hermet caught Rinaldi's high kick but was unable to get the pass out of Richie Mathers' tackle.
Frayssinous kicked one conversion and added a penalty to stretch his side's lead to a deserved six points by half-time.
England almost scored just before the break when centre Stuart Reardon lost the ball in Olivier Charles' tackle as he went over the line but they drew level seven minutes into the second half.
Scrum-half Luke Robinson jinked his way over for a solo try after full-back Renaud Guigue had fumbled the ball from Thorman's high kick, and they went back in front on 55 minutes when second rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan followed up Thorman's grubber kick to the line and got the vital touch.
Thorman added both goals but was wide with a long-range drop goal attempt and England could only breathe easy when Crabtree took Paul Sykes' pass to crash over for his side's fourth try in the final minute.
