France beat England to grab Six Nations lead

9.00 am

PARIS - Gerald Merceron and number eight Imanol Harinordoquy scored superb first-half tries as France beat England 20-15 to go top of the Six Nations last night.

The French put down the foundations for their first victory over the English since 1998 with a brilliant first 20 minutes when they built up a 17-0 lead.

England replied with an excellent individual try from fullback Jason Robinson just before the break to narrow the French lead to 17-7 at halftime. The reigning champions managed a late try from winger Ben Cohen.

But it was not enough to stop France going top of the championship after three wins from as many games. England have won two games and lost one.

In addition to his try Merceron kicked two penalties and two conversions for a personal tally of 15 points. His opposite number Jonny Wilkinson converted Robinson's try and notched over a penalty just after halftime.

But the English, who brought on rugby league convert Henry Paul for his first cap just before halftime, were unable to break down a well-organised French defence which showed a great deal of discipline.

France, looking for their first defeat of England since they beat them in Paris in 1998, started disappointingly when Merceron missed a straightforward kick in the second minute.

But the five-eighth bounced back with a try in the eighth minute after a well-worked move.

Harinordoquy took the ball at pace from halfback Fabien Galthie on the England 22-metre line and made vital ground before passing to Merceron to dive underneath the posts. The five-eighth converted the try.

England struggled to survive the early pressure. In the 18th minute, Harinordoquy touched down at the left-hand corner after centre Tony Marsh timed his pass superbly just before a tackle from England winger Austin Healey.

The French had moved the ball wide after a powerful run down the right touchline from lock Olivier Brouzet. Merceron slotted over his second conversion and then put over a penalty to stretch the lead to 17-0.

England brought on former New Zealand rugby league international Paul just before the break.

After an intense period of pressure, Robinson produced a brilliant side-step to dance through the French defence and score in the dying seconds of the half.

Wilkinson converted to narrow the gap to 10 points at halftime and then cut the French lead to 17-10 with a penalty early in the second half.

But the French kept up the pressure. Merceron slotted over another penalty halfway through the second half to give France a 20-10 lead. In the 72nd minute the five-eighth hit the post with another penalty effort.

England managed a second try in the dying seconds when Cohen took a high kick from Healey to score in the corner. But it was too late to change the outcome.

- REUTERS

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