The French had to withstand a superb second-half recovery by England, who looked down and out when they trailed 24-6 after 55 minutes.

Tries from wings Ben Cohen and Josh Lewsey gave England hope of completing a stunning recovery, but it was not to be as France ended their RBS 6 Nations campaign as kings of Europe.

Scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili - named RBS man-of-the-match - was their hero, amassing 19 points through a try, four penalties and a conversion, while number eight Imanol Harinordoquy also touched down.

Fly-half Olly Barkley kicked 11 points for England and although the visitors went agonisingly close, there was no spoiling the French party.

Englands defeat meant that they finished third in the Championship behind France and Ireland, but Red Rose supremo Sir Clive Woodward can have few real complaints given that his team spluttered too often.

Their shock home defeat against Ireland three weeks ago was an accident waiting to happen, and Woodward and his players must now regroup ahead of a tough summer tour that features two Tests against New Zealand and a Brisbane reunion with Australia.

France though, are once again the northern hemisphere's team of the moment as England's World Cup final victory was finally well and truly consigned to the history books.

Paris was in the mood to party, and French skipper Fabien Pelous lead his team on a jubilant lap of honour while England's players trooped off disconsolately down the tunnel.

France: Brusque, Elhorga, Jauzion, Traille, Dominici, Michalak, Yachvili, Marconnet, Servat, De Villiers, Pelous, Pape, Betsen, Magne, Harinordoqui.
Replacements: Poitrenaud for Jauzion (57), Crenca for Marconnet (71), Bru for Servat (53).
Not Used: Auradou, Lievremont, Mignoni, Peyrelongue.

England: Robinson, Lewsey, Greenwood, Tindall, Cohen, Barkley, Dawson, Woodman, Thompson, Vickery, Grewcock, Kay, Worsley, Hill, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Catt for Greenwood (50), Borthwick for Dawson (23), White for Vickery (64).
Not Used: Regan, Corry, Gomarsall, Simpson-Daniel.

Att: 80,000

Ref: Alain Rolland (Ireland)