England Under-18s, with Leicester Tigers academy forward Cameron Jordan in the second row of the pack, were beaten 27-5 by France on Saturday in their opening match of the season.
At Stade Jean Rolland, in Digne-les-Bains, the visitors trailed 17-5 at half-time with tries from Malcom Bertschy and Baptiste Germain who also added two conversions and a drop goal. Will Simonds scored the England try.
France added late scores from Florent Vanverberghe and Nathanaël Hulleu to secure the win.
England play Scotland on March 18 at Stirling County RFC and Wales the following week at Pontypridd before the Six Nations Festival hosted by Wales.
Head coach John Fletcher said: “I think the effort was strong. We had lots of the ball but sometimes in those sorts of conditions it is easier to defend and force the opposition into a mistake. We are disappointed with the result but we will get better.”
England Under-18s
15 Tom de Glanville, Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School)
14 Will Simonds, Wasps (The Henley College)
13 Ollie Lawrence, Worcester Warriors (Bromsgrove School)
12 Sam Spink, Wasps (Wellington College)
11 Jacob Morris, Gloucester Rugby (Hartpury College)
10 Kieran Wilkinson, Sale Sharks (Kirkham Grammar School)
9 Sam Maunder, Exeter Chiefs (Blundell's School)
1 Bevan Rodd, Sale Sharks (Sedbergh School)
2 Will Capon, Bristol Rugby (Bristol Grammar School)
3 Alfie Petch, Exeter Chiefs (Exeter College)
4 Tom Jeanes, Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School)
5 Cameron Jordan, Leicester Tigers (Oakham School)
6 Richard Capstick, Exeter Chiefs (Exeter College)
7 Sam Dugdale ,Sale Sharks (Kirkham Grammar School)
8 Tom Marshall, Newcastle Falcons (Gosforth Academy)
Replacements
16 Kapeli Pifeleti, Saracens (Haileybury School)
17 Olly Adkins, Gloucester Rugby (Hartpury College)
18 Cal Ford, Sale Sharks (Sandbach School)
19 Rouban Birch, Sale Sharks (Sedbergh School)
20 JJ Tonks, Gloucester Rugby (Hartpury College)
21 Blake Boyland, Bristol Rugby (SGS College)
22 Josh Hodge, Newcastle Falcons (Sedbergh School)
23 Harry Barlow, Harlequins (Cranleigh School)
