England cruise past France in warm-up friendly

England (19) 38

Try: M Packer, Breach 2, Rowland, Talling, L Packer Cons: Aitchison 4

France (0) 19

Try: Sochat, Menager, Bourdon Sansus Cons: Tuy 2

England began their preparations for WXV1 with a convincing friendly win over Six Nations rivals France at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium.

The Red Roses scored six tries in their first outing since beating France in April to claim a third Six Nations Grand Slam in a row.

Captain Marlie Packer opened the scoring before Jess Breach and Helena Rowland handed England a 19-0 lead at the interval.

The hosts added to their advantage three minutes after the break as Morwenna Talling scored from the driving maul but France hit back with their first points of the game from the same method through Agathe Sochat.

Breach doubled her tally and Lucy Packer went over to add further gloss to the scoreline for England but Romane Menager and Pauline Bourdon Sansus both scored late consolations for the visitors.

England face world champions New Zealand in their next friendly at Twickenham on Saturday as John Mitchell's side gear up for WXV1 in Canada and launch into a year which will culminate with a home World Cup next summer.

More to follow.

England: Kildunne; Dow, Rowland, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Feaunati, M Packer, Matthews.

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Carson, Bern, Campion, Cleall, L Packer, Harrison, Scarratt.

France: Jacquet; Banet, Konde, M Menager, Boulard; Tuy, Chambon; Brosseau, Sochat, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Gros, R Menager.

Replacements: Bigot, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Ikahehegi, Okemba, T Feleu, Bourdon Sansus, Vernier.