England upset France in Six Nations

PARIS, France -- England repeated their World Cup semifinal triumph over France by returning to Paris and beating them 24-13 in the Six Nations Championship.

It was England's first away win over France in the competition since 2000 and left Wales as the only team capable of lifting this season's Grand Slam.

England's victory was built on determination and grit in defense but they did manage two tries to the home side's one, with debutant Richard Wigglesworth rounding off a welcome success by lunging over the French line near the end.

Jonny Wilkinson was not flawless with his kicking but contributed 14 priceless points.

The home side scored their only try through captain Lionel Nallet, with Morgan Parra and Dimitri Yachvili scoring a penalty apiece and Damien Traille a conversion.

France, employing a trio of relatively untested youngsters in the pivotal No 8 and half-back positions, showed their intent in the opening exchanges, running everything and refusing to kick out of their own 22-meter area.

But the risky tactics came to grief in the fourth minute when England center Jamie Noon, who does not play a blitz defense for his club Newcastle, came charging out of the line to take Cedric Heymans man-and-ball with the France full-back just outside his 22.

Heymans spilt the ball and Sackey raced away to gather his own grubber kick and touch down.

Wilkinson converted and added a simple 14th minute penalty after Pascal Pape was penalized for refusing to roll away from a tackle.

France opened their account in the 26th minute, Nallet being driven over from short range for a try, after some great build-up play.

Traille, who had earlier missed a tricky penalty, was successful with the conversion.

Nallet was at fault, however, just minutes later when he needlessly entered a ruck from the side to hand the faultless Wilkinson an effort at goal the sharpshooter did not spurn.

France went into half-time 13-7 down after Traille missed a penalty after a late tackle.

The game was far from spectacular, with many errors, and the 19-year-old scrum-half Morgan Parra landed a penalty after Mark Regan hit out at Lionel Faure in a ruck.

With the French pack under pressure and penalised for petty mistakes twice within minutes, Wilkinson had a chance to open up a nine-point lead for England but missed both kicks.

He did, however, drop a goal after Lesley Vainikolo had opened up the French midfield, and added 66th minute penalty after the French scrum had again collapsed.

Replacement scrum-half Yachvili kicked a late penalty for the French but their tactical naivity ensured England's territorial domination which culminated in Wigglesworth crossing for a try in the final minute. E-mail to a friend