Ellis says that some minor tinkering by the coaches at half-time contributed to the miraculous Twickenham turn around which saw the French recover from being 17-6 down at the interval, to win 18-17.

And Ellis paid tribute to France's discipline in the second half which saw them concede just one penalty in the final forty minutes.

We felt it was going our way in the changing rooms at half-time. (Referee) Paddy OBrien penalised us consistently for hands in the ruck in the first half, and we just told the players not even to compete for the ball on the floor.

We had one penalty against us in the second half for that, which was on the halfway line. We concentrated on the discipline and rectified a couple of things that went wrong defensively in the first half.

I thought that England played very well in the first half. Their kicking game was good, and we were sloppy in midfield defence on a few occasions.

I expected England to play a bit more in the second half, but they sat back. It was a bit disappointing for an Englishman, I suppose.

We are one game further along the road now. To go to Twickenham and beat England gives us lots of enthusiasm and encouragement for the next few games.

France, despite producing distinctly average displays in beating England and Scotland, remain on course for a second-successive RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam.

But they now face two severe examinations, hosting Wales on Saturday week, followed by an appointment with Ireland in Dublin two weeks later.

I think Ireland away is going to be very difficult, as will Wales be at home next time around. They are playing very well, and it is not going to be easy, Ellis added.

Its the old scenario of taking each game at a time. Weve got to play really well against Wales, and then if things go well, we will look at Ireland after that.