England end France's Grand Slam dreams

England threw the RBS 6 Nations title chase wide open with a 26-18 backs-to-the-wall victory over France.

Youngster Toby Flood scored 16 points on his first Twickenham start but was overshadowed by debutant Shane Geraghty, who kicked a crucial penalty and set up the match-winning try for Mike Tindall eight minutes from the end of a tense, if scrappy encounter.

England kept France tryless - David Skrela and Dimitri Yachvili kicked three penalties each for Les Bleus - and there could be few complaints about the result.

Brian Ashton's men now have a glimmer of hope of taking the title but the biggest winners could be Triple Crown champions Ireland, who go to Italy next Saturday with realistic championship hopes.

Flood scored his first try for England, supporting a break by veteran captain Mike Catt seven minutes into the second half and also kicked three penalties and a conversion.

He went off with a leg injury on the hour but Geraghty, the London Irish fly-half, proved a capable deputy as England deservedly clinched the spoils.