Saints' Academy players James Grayson and Toby Trinder were on International duty this weekend as England Under-19 faced France Under-19 in a friendly fixture at Stade Jules Ladoumègue, Massy.
Despite Grayson landing a penalty early on the home side impressed in the first half and England trailed 18-3 at the break.
The away side improved in the second 40 and with Sam Moore, Ted Hill and Dino Lamb-Cona all crossing the game tightened but it was not enough to prevent defeat and France held out for a 35-22 win.
England Player Pathway Coach Peter Walton said: “Nobody likes to lose, however we have all learnt a lot from this game and it has been very worthwhile.
“The players have really enjoyed the experience and I think they can take a lot of credit from how they performed in the second half, it is how we want them to play and they really showed their quality.”
ENGLAND U19 SIDE THAT FACED FRANCE
15 Ben Loader (London Irish)**
14 Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)*
13. Matt Williams (London Irish)
12 Jacob Umaga (Wasps)*
11 Levi Davis (Hartpury)
10 James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
9 Rory Brand (London Irish)
1 Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)*
2 Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3 Joseph Morris (Worcester Warriors)*
4 Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)*
5 Josh Williams (Newcastle Falcons)
6 Dino Lamb-Cona (Harlequins)
7 Lewis Wilson (Yorkshire Carnegie)
8 Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)**
16 Gabriel Oghre (Bath Rugby)
17 Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)
18 Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)*
19 Elliott Ward (Yorkshire Carnegie)
20 Charlie Wright (Exeter Chiefs)**
21 Will Porter (Wasps)**
22 Elliott Obatoyinbo (Saracens)**
23 Nick David (Worcester Warriors)**
* In England U20 EPS
** In latest England U18 squad
