A win against Ireland at home next week would still likely be enough to secure England a second successive title on points difference, but they were second-best against their French counterparts.

Gloucester fly-half Ryan Mills gave England an early lead with a penalty in the third minute, but France levelled the score four minutes later through Ecochard.

After Mills had missed the chance to put England back in front, and France fly-half Enzo Selponi also failed to score with a drop goal, Ecochard gave the hosts the lead on 22 minutes.

Les Bleuets were starting to step it up and could have grabbed the opening try when Yohann Artru intercepted a pass from Charlie Walker but the England centre and Marland Yarde recovered to stop him.

England's scrum was under huge pressure and France kept them pegged back in their own 22, but twice the hosts were denied by the Television Match Official, to go in 6-3 ahead at half-time.

France again put their opposition under pressure early in the second half but Ecochard's missed penalty attempt kept England very much in the game.

And with ten minutes remaining England grabbed the game's only try, as Sisi touched down after a driving lineout. Mills missed the conversion but England led 8-6.

But that lead did not last long as Ecochard added two more penalties to give France a deserved third win in four matches this campaign.