Saturday 7 November 2015 22:33, UK
England's women fell to an 11-0 defeat at the hands of France in the first match of their autumn international series.
England were unable to break down a solid French defensive line in Martigues and will be looking for a much more positive display when they take on Ireland at the Twickenham Stoop next Saturday.
France claimed the lead inside five minutes when Audrey Abadie slotted over a penalty, and the home side were only denied a try soon after by some superb defensive work by England captain Sarah Hunter.
Abadie was successful with a second penalty attempt 22 minutes in and, with England struggling to make inroads, they led 6-0 at half-time.
The pattern remained similar after the break with the only try coming in the 57th minute when France winger Elodie Poublan crossed for an unconverted score.
And those would prove to be the last points of the game, leaving England coach Simon Middleton with plenty to work on ahead of the clash with Ireland in seven days.
