Castleford Tigers' Callum McLelland kicked a last-minute drop goal as England Academy downed France under 18s 19-18 in dramatic style at Le Bacares on Monday night.

France took an early 2-0 lead, but Danny Walker's try, converted by Will Oakes, made it 6-2 to England. In a hard-hitting game, both sets of forwards dominated the early stages. But France halfback Arthur Mourgue broke the game open close to half time with a score, converted by Romain Pallares.

However, England struck back as Castleford Tigers' Jake Trueman produced a slick pass to put Cameron Scott through a hole for a 10-8 lead. But, in an end-to-end first 40, France had the final say as winger Shann Brugel went in, leaving France 12-10 up at the break.

With a tight game unfolding, Will Oakes knocked over an early second-half penalty to level the scores. England then quickly went ahead again as Cameron Scott burst clear to send Joe Brown over for a try, making it 16-12 to the visitors. Oakes made it 18-12 soon after with another penalty goal, after an incident which also saw France's Thomas Malfaz sin binned.

Despite being down to 12 men, the hosts narrowed the gap to just two points thanks to two Pallares penalties. They then levelled it up once Malfaz returned, Pallares with another penalty goal.

But it was McLelland who had the final say, notching a late drop-goal to secure the win for England. 

FRANCE UNDER 18
Thérond, Gambaro, Laguerre, Maxime Stefani, Brugel, L. Albert, Mourgue, Vailhen, Pallarès, Sangaré, Le Cam, Bled, Rougé, Malfaz, Lardot, Leveille, De Macedo

ENGLAND ACADEMY
William Dagger, William Oakes, James Worthington, Cameron Scott, Joseph Brown, Callum McLelland, Jacob Trueman, Mikolaj Oledzki, Danny Walker, Oliver Partington, Luis Johnson, Joseph Shorrocks, Cameron Smith, Owen Farnworth, Samuel Kibula, Caine Barnes, Calum Turner