Yachvili kicks France to victory

France came back from the dead to beat England 18-17 in the Six Nations yesterday, their first victory at Twickenham for eight years keeping alive their hopes of back-to-back grand slams.

In a reversal of traditional roles, world champions England scored the tries - in the first half through Olly Barkley and Josh Lewsey - while France relied on the boot of Dimitri Yachvili to bring them back from a 17-6 half-time deficit.

The recalled Biarritz scrumhalf kicked all of France's points, chipping away at England's lead throughout the second half as England were penalised again and again. England flyhalf Charlie Hodgson by contrast missed three of four penalties and a drop goal attempt.

"We didn't play (well) last week against Scotland but we won," Yachvili told the BBC. "This week we didn't play well and we won also so it's very good for us. We are very proud to beat England here at Twickenham."

Yachvili admitted his side had played poorly in the first half and had been told so by coach Bernard Laporte.

"It was a very poor first half. We were just defending all the time and we were told that we had to play more and put them under pressure in the second half and we did that very well."

England flyhalf Hodgson said his side were upset to have lost the match after dominating during the first half.

"We are very disappointed. It's hard to take two defeats by such close (margins)," he said in reference to their 11-7 loss to Wales the previous week.

"We obviously want to improve on what we've done so far.

"We want to get a win in this competition and it will be a tough task going to Ireland but hopefully we can come back positive and be stronger."

France now join Ireland and Wales with two wins out of two in the championship, while England's defeat was their eighth in their last 11 tests and puts them alongside Scotland and Italy with no points.

England travel to Ireland for their next match on February 27. France host Wales at the Stade de France on February 26.

Next Fixtures

Scotland vs Italy Feb. 26
France vs Wales Feb. 26
Ireland vs England Feb. 27