England XV well beaten by France in summer warm-up

France XV proved too skilful for England in the teams' non-Test summer warm-up in Vannes, easing away to a comfortable 35-19 victory that demonstrated their greater strength in depth.

A nicely worked try by Cadan Murley in the opening minute gave England a flying start, but they were soon reeled in once France's quicksilver handling game got up to speed. The hosts' lead was two points at the break (14-12), but two superb tries within five minutes of the restart, combined with England's set-piece wilting in the final quarter, sealed Steve Borthwick's side's fate.

While England were without Northampton and Exeter stars before their clubs' meeting in the Prem final on Saturday, France were similarly affected by their own domestic play-offs. However, with seven starters from European champions Bordeaux-Begles, France showed more cohesion.

Borthwick will draw positives from the performances of wings Noah Caluori and Murley, Ted Hill's energy up front and an enterprising cameo from replacement scrum-half Raffi Quirke. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, the South African-born Bristol centre, came off the bench and could have had a try, but spilled the ball over the line.

England's summer continues with a formidable Nations Championship opener away to South Africa in Johannesburg on 4 July, before matches against Fiji and Argentina on subsequent weekends.