Patient France beat England 21-15 at Twickenham

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - Tries in either half by Fabien Pelous and Sebastien Chabal helped France to a morale-boosting 21-15 victory over a powerful but limited England in their World Cup warm-up at Twickenham on Saturday.

Injury-ravaged former captain Pelous after 12 minutes and impressive replacement Chabal after 71 made it a far more satisfying day for the tournament's hosts than for the defending champions.

The two sides meet again in Marseille next week, when their final tournament squads will both be known.

"We start (a string of warm-up games) with a win and that's important, even if (coach) Bernard (Laporte) had told us that style was more important than the result today," Pelous told French television.

"It's my first try in three years and that makes me even happier."

Of the players probably battling for selection on the England side, 20-year-old fullback Nick Abendanon had few opportunities, wingers Paul Sackey and Josh Lewsey were solid but unspectacular while centre Jamie Noon provided a reminder that there he is probably the best defensive centre available.

Lock Simon Shaw, outstanding against Wales, was again to the fore and secured his place in the squad after missing out on the last three World Cups while flanker James Haskell and Lawrence Dallaglio will have an anxious wait as coach Brian Ashton ponders the back row, probably his toughest decision ahead of Tuesday's announcement of his final 30-man squad.

For France David Skrela was no more than reliable and the door remains open for Frederik Michalak to reclaim the flyhalf berth but Pelous showed that he is close enough to full fitness to probably warrant a place in the starting side.