England beaten by France in wheelchair international

England were narrowly beaten 32-28 by a France wheelchair rugby league team inspired by Nicolas Clausells, who scored four tries, five conversions and a penalty.

England, who had a different line-up to the team that beat Spain two days earlier, took a 12-point lead with tries from Josh Butler and Seb Bechara in Saint-Lo, before France responded with three tries in quick succession.

Clausells scored twice before team-mate Jonathan Hivernat went over the line to give the hosts a 18-12 half-time lead.

A Clausells penalty put France 20-12 ahead and, after another Butler try for England, the Frenchman's third try gave his side a 26-18 lead.

Rob Hawkins went over the line for England as they moved to within two points of the hosts but Clausells added his fourth try.

Hawkins went over for another try to give England hope but France held on to secure victory against a team that had beaten them 66-33 in Wigan in October.

England: Tom Halliwell (capt), 2 Rob Hawkins, 3 Nathan Collins, 4 Josh Butler, 5 Rob Hawkins

Interchange: Jack Brown, Mason Billington, Sebastien Bechara. Unused player: Joe Coyd

Tries: Butler 2, Bechara, Hawkins 2. Goals: Collins 4.

France: Gilles Clausells (capt), Florian Guttadoro, Jeremy Bourson, Damien Dore, Leo Hivernat.

Interchange: Julian Pennella, Jonathan Hivernat, Nicolas Clausells. Unused player: Lionel Alazard.

Tries: N Clausells 4, J Hivernat. Goals: N Clausells 6.