Worsley inspires serious England A to big victory

Joe Worsley sparked a vivid England performance at Franklin's Gardens last night in this hugely entertaining A international. It took them time to find their try-scoring touch, but England had by far the better of the second half, and it was only by virtue of some outstanding defence that England – who posted their highest score against France at this level – did not win by a more convincing margin.

Having finished bottom of the pile in 2002 England, for the first time in several seasons, fielded a legitimate second team, rather than a development side. And it showed. With nine capped players starting, there was plenty of experience, with three having never appeared in A team colours before but, more importantly, at least five of the pack and three of the backs have legitimate claims of making England's World Cup squad next autumn.

Among those hoping, if not expecting, to make the plane to Australia, Marcel Garvey and Dan Scarbough were the most prominent of England's backs in a sparkling first half, with Josh Lewsey not far behind them. Three times Scarbrough raced up the right though each time the speedy France cover just held, though Scarbrough was to have the last word.

Against a set of forwards who were taller at the line-out and stronger in row one, England struggled to achieve parity. Even so there was plenty seen of Steve Borthwick and Tom Palmer competing for possession, while in the loose Alex Sanderson and Worsley were never far from the action.

Despite their bright start the tries refused to come England's way and it was left to an old stager, Paul Grayson, to nose the home side ahead with three penalties, to one by Ludovic Mercier.

England would have been content to turn round with a six-point advantage, but, against the run of play, an isolated France attack in added time brought a controversial touchdown for Guillame Bousses, despite a hint of obstruction. Mercier converted and so France went in 10-9 up.

Once Grayson and Mercier had exchanged penalties, England began to win the battle in the loose. England clinched victory with Worsley's try, topped off in stoppage time when Scarbrough also crossed.

England A: Tries Worsley, Scarbrough Con Grayson Pens Grayson 6 France: Try Bousses Con Mercier Pens Mercier 2

England A: J Lewsey (Wasps); D Scarbrough (Leeds), O Smith (Leicester), B Johnston (Saracens), M Garvey (Gloucester); P Grayson (Northampton), M Wood (Wasps); M Worsley (London Irish), D West (capt, Leicester), R Morris (Northampton), S Borthwick (Bath), T Palmer (Leeds), A Sanderson (Sale), A Hazell (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps). Replacements: M Corry (Leicester, rep Sanderson 75) A King (Wasps, for Johnston 82) J Noon (Newcastle, for Smith 69)

France A: P Elhorga (Agen); J Marlu (Montferrand), J-E Cassin, G Bousses (Both Biarritz), C Dominici (Stade Francais); L Mercier (Gloucester), J-B Elisalde (Toulouse); O Milloud (Burgoin), Y Bru (capt; Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan), D Couzinet (Biarritz), L Nallet (Burgoin), M Lièvremont (Agen), J Bouilhou (Toulouse), P Tabacco (Stade Francais). Replacements: B August (Stade Francais for Bru 49-53 blood) C Gaston (Narbonne for Couzinet 70) R Martin (Stade Francais for Lièvremont 53) M Barrau (Agen, for Elissalde 75) J Peyrelongue (Biarritz, for Mercier 70), F Cermeno (Perpignan for Cassin 64)

Referee: I Ramage (Scotland).