There was no screaming and shouting in the French dressing room, just a calm assurance that, under increased pressure, England would crack.

And crack they did as France completed a second-half shutout to snatch and 18-17 victory thanks to the boot of Dimitri Yachivili.

No-one was down in the dressing room at half-time - we were still very confident believe it or not, said Pelous.

We knew that two individual mistakes had cost us 14 points - two missed tackles - but that was not a reflection of the gameplan or commitment.

We just wanted to put pressure on England further up the field. We spent the second half in the England half of the pitch and go the opportunity to get some penalties and score points.

At half time we said we only had 11 points against us, which was not much and the plan was to keep hold of possession and pressure England to losing their composure.

Pelous admitted the game had hardly been a spectacle of flowing rugby but the result was all important.

This game will not be a reference for us in terms of play but a reference for us in terms of team spirit, he said.

We wanted to pressure England whatever it cost, even if it cost us the style of play. Perhaps this is a good definition of rugby - team spirit.