Scarratt keeps her nerve to seal win

EMILY Scarratt’s last-gasp penalty capped a sensational comeback from England, who overturned a 23-10 deficit to beat France 25-23 in a pulsating women’s Autumn international at Twickenham.

England looked to be heading for defeat when Cyrielle Banet crossed the line to give France a 13-point lead with 15 minutes to go.

However, Poppy Cleall reduced the deficit after touching down following a rolling maul before Ellie Kildunne’s converted try moments afterwards brought England to within two points, and Loughborough Lightning star Scarratt held her nerve at the death.

She split the posts from 20 metres out as the Women’s Six Nations champions claimed a seventh successive win against a crestfallen Les Bleus outfit.

Despite falling behind when Zoe Harrison touched down first for the hosts, France were a much tougher proposition than last week and Caroline Drouin’s penalty was followed by tries from Emmeline Gros and Banet.

Lightning’s Lark Davies reduced the deficit after half-time but another Drouin penalty and Banet’s second try of the game looked to be decisive, until England hit back.

Scarratt landed the injury-time kick after coming off the bench in the second half.

She told BBC Sport: “It was a relative sitter but the pressure adds a little bit more to it.

“It is a hell of a result against a hell of a team.”

The victory also preserved England’s position as the No.1 team in the world ahead of New Zealand.