England A suffered their first defeat of the year on Friday night with their French counterparts getting the better of them in Rennes.

After victories over Spain and the Nomads Mike Barnett's side were in great shape going into the game, but the tourists were slow out of

the blocks and France immediately took advantage.

France underlined just this in the opening quarter scoring two quick tries.

First, a good kick to touch saw England put under pressure with a defensive line out just five metres from the try line.

England then gave away a penalty, and with France commanding the scrum a good clear out then saw Audrey Parra cross.

The conversion was missed but France headed into 12-0 lead after as many minutes when once again England couldn't cope with the pressure.

Another good scrum saw the ball moved out through the backs and fullback Aurelia Cellier went close, but Celine Huguy was in support to touch down.

This time Christelle Le Duff added the conversion before minutes later adding a penalty.

England had to take another knock with France running in their third try after the half hour mark.

This time England were turned over in their own half, and despite some dogged defending, France kept the ball alive for Stephanie Provost to take it on on the right wing and score handing France a 20-0 lead at the break.

A rallying team talk at half time saw England come back out with more vigour and challenging the French dominance, and although Gemma Sharples went close to scoring, the tourists just couldn't convert their chances into points.

England A head coach Barnett said: "The French started better than us and that gave us too much of a mountain to climb.

"They took their chances early on, defended well and stopped our continuity and that put us on the back foot.

"We had a much better second half, but at that point we were too far behind to really turn the table."

England 15 Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond), 14 Francesca Matthews (Richmond), 13 Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 12 Kimberley Oliver (Bristol), 11 Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 10 Danielle Knight (Lichfield), 9 Georgina Rozario (Bristol), 1 Laura Keates (Worcester), 2 Samantha Reeve (Worcester), 3 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 4 Natalie Binstead (Wasps), 5 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), 6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 8 Sonia Green (C) (Saracens).

Replacements: 16 Monica Lewinska (Bristol), 17 Katy Storie (Team Northumbria), 18 Sara Anastasi (Richmond), 19 Jenny Brightmore (Worcester), 20 Sarah Guest (Worcester), 21 Natasha Hunt (Bristol), 22 Jennifer Edwards (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).