France dealt England’s World Cup plans a blow as for 70 minutes they battered a side widely believed to be close to Stuart Lancaster’s favoured XV.
Frederic Michalak’s boot saw the hosts lead 15-6 at half-time, George Ford landing two penalties for England.
A converted try from Yoann Huget looked to have killed the game with well over half an hour remaining.
But England came alive and late tries from Danny Cipriani and Jonathan Joseph made it close on the scoreboard.
England have one more warm-up game against Ireland at Twickenham on 5 September before their World Cup opener against Fiji on 18 September.
Head coach Lancaster must announce his final squad by 31 August and will have many sleepless nights before then, with several areas still unresolved. Details