By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2024-11-23 19:13:48 | Updated at 2024-11-23 21:25:42
2 hours ago
England were narrowly beaten 32-28 by a France wheelchair rugby league team inspired by Nicolas Clausells, who scored four tries, five conversions and a penalty.
Tries from Josh Butler and Seb Bechara had given England a 12-0 lead in Saint-Lo, before France responded with three tries in quick succession.
Clausells scored twice before team-mate Jonathan Hivernat went over the line to give the hosts a 18-12 half-time lead.
A Clausells penalty put France 20-12 ahead and, after another Butler try for England, the Frenchman's third try gave his side a 26-18 lead.
Rob Hawkins went over the line for England as they moved to within two points of the hosts but Clausells added his fourth try.
Hawkins went over for another try to give England hope but France held on to secure victory against a team that had beaten them 66-33 in Wigan in October.
