Benhard Janse van Rensburg's debut for an England XV was a bittersweet affair as his team fell to a 35-19 defeat against a France XV in Vannes. The South African-born centre, who replaced a teammate in the 51st minute during Friday's non-cap match, fumbled a crucial pass from George Ford that could have seen him scoring on his first appearance for his adopted nation.
Despite the early brilliance, when Cadan Murley put England ahead within the first minute, the French team gradually dominated the game. The home side was bolstered by tries from Nicolas Depoortere and Grégoire Arfeuil, who helped carve out a 14-5 lead. A late first-half try by Marcus Smith gave the England XV a glimmer of hope at 14-12, setting up a tantalizing second half.
However, the cohesion of the France XV shone through after the break. Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy each dotted down to extend their team's lead, showcasing a superior game management that England struggled to counter, particularly in the set-piece battles.
A late surge from the French saw Fabien Brau-Boirie crossing the whitewash, cementing the win before Max Ojomoh's last-gasp try for England served as little more than a consolation.
"We showed moments of quality, but we need to be more consistent across the 80 minutes,"
lamented England coach Steve Borthwick after witnessing the disjointed performance from his team.While Janse van Rensburg's mishap was a notable lowlight, the match itself was a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for England. The centre will be eligible for Test selection from July 8, potentially making his official debut against Fiji just days later in Liverpool. As the clock ticks down to that potential debut, both Janse van Rensburg and his teammates will no doubt be eager to refine their play and sharpen their execution.
England's outing in Vannes was a clear indicator that there's work to be done, and with the international window fast approaching, the pressure will only intensify. Meanwhile, France can take heart from a robust display, one that underlines their depth and readiness for the challenges ahead.