Another brave effort brought two second half tries for England Community Lions U17s before they were overpowered for the second time in four days by a strong France U17s in 30 degree heat in Nantes.

Early exchanges were ferocious with the likes of Matthew Creasey, Thomas Clarke and Matthew Eden following the lead of skipper Elijah Delaidriti before the French cut loose in the 6th minute with a try wide out on the left from Tom Zitter.

The Lions responded with some enthusiastic running from Jaylen Conway with Rio Walker also keen to impress on debut, and despite a promising break-out from France, when the water break came in the 20th minute it was still 0-4.

On resumption, Zitter set up another promising attack after collecting an angled low kick and the host's second score followed after a 25th minute dummy-half surge from hooker Mahault Devilliers. Mathis Dumont goaled. A third try followed four minutes later on the back of a penalty concession with the ball worked right for Mickael Lallemand Rabasse to touch down.

Outstanding second row Steven Jocelyn added a fourth French try on the stroke of half-time with halfback Aymeric Papailhau slotting over the conversion for a 0-20 advantage at the break.

The Lions came out for the second period with renewed vigour, and it was captain Delaidriti who broke their duck with a rampaging carry that took him beyond three players and over the goal line in the 42nd minute. Unfortunately his conversion went wide but it was 4-20 and the score gave the visitors plenty of enthusiasm.

This was further buoyed when centre Moulin Tetuira was sinbinned. Once again the Lions tried to go around their opponents but France launched a devastating counter when the ball was lost and fleet footed Toni Laporte scampered away from 30 metres.

Thomas Clarke was then shown a yellow card for the Lions before Conway ran strongly from the back, Matthew Eden broke brilliantly through the middle and Delaidriti unlocked the defence with a grubbing kick left for Joseph Grifffiths to pounce at the corner to close the deficit to 8-24.

Into the final 20 minutes the visitors continued to battle hard and intelligent play won a drop out after 65 minutes. Despite some thunderous charges, France held firm and finally broke the defence with wide passing that brought the 68th minute score for Tetuira.

Injuries forced the Lions to activate their 18th man and Alfie Milton came on for the last ten minutes. Eden was then sinbinned for slowing play down and France took full advantage with twelve points in the last four minutes to stretch their lead to 42-8 with Jocelyn's second and Lorik LeJeune crossing the line and Papailhau kicking the final two goals.

France U17s:
Mathis Dumont, Tom Zitter, Toni Laporte, Moulin Tetuira, Mickael Lallemand Rabasse, Arthur Carret, Aymeric Papailhau, Paul Galy, Mahault Deauvilliers, Leo Ricard, Steven Jocelyn, Lorik LeJeune, Tom Poncelot. Subs (All Used): Tom Guilhaumou, Clement Troni, Adrian De La Rose, Yanis Ballet. 18th Man (Not Used): 3 Thibault Guittierez.

Tries: Zitter (6), Beauvilliers (25), Lallemand Rabasse (29), Jocelyn (39, 76), Laporte (47), Tetuira (68), LeJeune (79).
Goals: Dumont 1/3, Papailhau 4/5.

Sinbinned: Tetuira (46).

England Community Lions U17s:
Jaylen Conway, Ellis Clarke, Ethan Gaffney, Rio Walker, Joseph Griffiths, Harry Townsend, Lucas Tyrer, Owen Tyler Cole, Nate Parker, Matthew Creasey,  Thomas Clarke, Elijah Delaidriti, Matthew Eden. Subs: (All Used): Danny Stables, Cassius Turner Walsh, Seth Woodend, Connor Hall. 18th Man (All Used): Alfie Milton, Lewis Johnson, Kier Starkie.

Tries: Delaidriti (42), Griffiths (55).
Goals: Delaidriti 0/2.

Sinbinned: T Clarke (53), Eden (74).