England Students went down 43-8 to a French side manager Tony Lanaway described as “formidable” in Lyon last month.

Trailing 31-3 at half time, England halted the French points march and managed an injury time try through Loughborough University flanker James Jones to add to James Wittingham’s first-half penalty.

But said Lanaway, “The French team were formidable. They were drawn almost exclusively from their top teams and had 12 of last year’s national Under 21 side.

”It was a disappointing first half when we made some simple errors and we were down 17-0, but we fought our way back into the game and showed a never say die spirit.”

This came after England Students beat Wales 48-12 at Clifton, when Haydn Thomas and Chris Wyles both struck twice as a lively England side overwhelmed Wales.

Exeter University scrum half Thomas made the most of two opportunities in the first half and Nottingham wing Wyles produced two neat pieces of finishing in the second to put his side out of sight. There were also scores for Hartpury lock Tom Skelding, Marjons fly half Ross Winney and Oxford flanker Ben Wood, with Durham centre James Whittingham adding five conversions and a penalty.