Michalak sinks England with boot

Michalak kicked 17 points as he became France's all-time leading scorer, boosting his hopes of a third World Cup appearance when coach Philippe Saint-Andre names his final squad on Sunday.

France were worthy winners although they had to endure a nervy last 10 minutes when England, trailing 25-6 at the time, scored two quickfire tries.

England had won the first of these warm-ups last weekend at Twickenham with a narrow 19-14 triumph.

France made 12 changes from that match while England went for 14 changes in their starting XV, making them almost at full-strength.

But Stuart Lancaster's side were under the cosh from the start on Saturday.

France's South African born fullback Scott Spedding kicked a monster penalty from the halfway line for a 3-0 lead after Luther Burrell had been penalised for failing to roll away.

Michalak then took over the kicking duties with two successful penalties – the second awarded when Dan Cole was caught offside – earning him the honour of becoming France's all-time leading points scorer.

The 32-year-old passed the previous best of Christophe Lamaison's 380 points set between 1996 and 2001.

Michalak, playing in his 72nd Test, has played in three Six Nations Grand Slam winning sides in 2002, 2004 and 2010, and featured in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

He was on target again for 12-0 before George Ford got England's first points on the board.

The two flyhalves popped over another penalty apiece as France went into the break 15-6 ahead.

France deservedly grabbed the game's first try early in the second half with Michalak playing a crucial role.

He drew one defender and delayed his pass long enough for wing Yoann Huget to dart and dance through for the score, his seventh international try.

Michalak kicked the extras for 22-6.

As the second-half wore on, the playing surface deteriorated with large chunks of the Stade de France pitch being ploughed up.

Michalak added another penalty after England were punished at the breakdown for 25-6 before he was replaced, leaving the field to a standing ovation.

His impressive halfback partner Sebastien Tillous-Borde also came off and England took advantage of the disruption to score their first try 10 minutes from time when replacement Danny Cipriani check-stepped and burst through over the line.

Ford added the conversion for 25-13.

France then took their foot off the gas as the clock ticked down and centre Jonathan Joseph made them pay with a try in the corner which Ford converted for 25-20.

Man of the Match: It was a no-brainer as Frederic Michalak dictated his troops to victory scoring 17 points and was the provider of the try-assist. Michalak got a well deserved roar from the Paris crowd when he was subbed off the field as he all but booked his seat to the World Cup in England. 

Moment of the Match: A moment of genius on the 46th minute when Frederic Michalak drew two defenders and passed an elegant inside ball to Yoann Huget who sliced through the gap splitting the defence and then side-stepped Mike Brown leaving him for dead as he sprinted over the line for the first five-pointer of the game. 

Villain of the Match: The turf of the Stade de France not only ruined a mouth-watering scrum battle but also became a hazard for injury. 

Scorers:

For France:

Try: Huget

Con: Michalak

Pens: Michalak 5, Spedding

For England:

Tries: Cipriani, Joseph

Cons: Ford 2

Pens: Ford 2

Teams: 

France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Damien Chouly, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape (captain), 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Eddy Ben Arous.

Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Yannick Nyanga, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Gael Fickou.

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 James Haskell, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 David Wilson, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Nick Easter, 21 Danny Care, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 , Billy Twelvetrees.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), Marius Mitrea (Italy)

TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

AFP and @rugby365com