Les Bleus allowed fly-half Jonny Wilkinson to kick five penalties for the hosts, which put the game beyond France despite a late rally.

Laporte said: "I'm disappointed. We gave away nine points too easily with the three penalties in the first half and we cannot afford to do that."

He described England's try by Jason Robinson which put them on top as "wonderful" and said: "It was a very good England team. They played very well. It's hard to win here against England."

But Laporte refuses to write off France's 6 Nations hopes after just one defeat.

"It isn't finished because we both have to go to Ireland," he added. "Ireland beat Australia so it will be difficult for England and for France but England have taken the advantage."

Laporte was disappointed that his fly-half Gerald Merceron had a goal-kicking off-day and said: "He must find his kicking form and become a world-class kicker again."