Summary

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  • Tom Halliwell's second try with three minutes left gives England 28-24 win

  • Nicolas Clausells penalty had brought France level at 24-24 after Nathan Collins had given England two-point lead

  • Lionel Alazard's early penalty and try, plus Mostefa Abassi score, helped France to 14-12 half-time lead

  • Tom Halliwell and Jack Brown with England first-half scores

  • Lewis King and Brown again extended lead, but Gilles Clausells try and Nicolas Clausells penalty bought France level at 22-22

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Live Reporting

Joe Rindl

  1. England 24-24 France

    Rob Hawkins is pushed out of his chair. England penalty. They pump it into touch.

  2. England 24-24 France

    Amazing kick-off from England, pinning France back.

  3. England 24-24 France

    Kyle Amor
    Former Ireland prop on BBC Two

    At the vital moment, Clausells just pulls it to the right of the posts, and England survive.

  4. England 24-24 France

    Missed! When France needed it most.

  5. England 24-24 France

    This isn't a gimme...

  6. England 24-24 France

    Jack Brown is penalised for stealing. Nico Clausells will have a chance to kick France into the lead. Gulp.

  7. England 24-24 France

    England were practicing their drop-goals in the warm-up. Will it come to that?

  8. England 24-24 France

    Jack Brown fumbles. How are your nerves?

  9. England 24-24 France

    There's 4,526 in attendance in Manchester. A new world record.

  10. PENALTY - England 24-24 France

    Nicolas Clausells

    No mistake from Nico Clausells and France are level.

    Nicolas ClausellsGetty Images

  11. England 24-22 France

    The crowd are booing. At least the quality from the players has been immense. France have a cheap penalty to level things up and I have no idea what it's for. Sorry.

  12. England 24-22 France

    The referees are having an argument! They can't decide on a decision. I think, think, England have the ball.

  13. England 24-22 France

    Oh so close as England send a grubber through Collins into the corner, but Bechara can't quite pin the ball down.

  14. England 24-22 France

    England race forward again. Big five minutes coming up.

  15. PENALTY - England 24-22 France

    Nathan Collins

    So much pressure but Nathan Collins delivers! He splits the posts.

    England have a narrow lead and are 13 minutes away from the World Cup.

  16. England 22-22 France

    England will go for two. The nation's on your shoulders Nathan Collins...

  17. England 22-22 France

    Bechara is pushed out of his chair by Nico Clausells and more French backchat gives England a big penalty.

    Will they go for goal?

  18. England 22-22 France

    Seb Bechara has a wheel change. England get the ball back in their own half.

  19. PENALTY - England 22-22 France

    Nicolas Clausells

    We're back level. Nicolas Clausells kick was never in doubt and England's eight-point lead is wiped out.

  20. England 22-20 France

    They'll go for two. This is to tie things up...