Monday 24 August 2015 20:16, UK
Eight France players feature in our team of the week, with England's impact subs also making the grade.
Frederic Michalak is in after booking his place at a third World Cup, while four England players feature despite a miserable night in Paris.
15. Danny Cipriani
Cipriani was given 20 minutes to stake his claim for a place in Stuart Lancaster's squad and the 27-year-old grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
The Sale playmaker led England's fightback with his 72nd-minute try and ignited a stuttering backline. Cipriani made six carries and beat two defenders during the closing stages in Paris, and also had a hand in Jonathan Joseph's late try.
Cipriani feels he has done "everything he could" and earned plenty of acclaim for Saturday's cameo but judging by Lancaster's post-match comments, it may not be enough to earn a place in his 31-man squad.
14. Yoann Huget
The Toulouse wing is fortunate to not be enjoying an extended summer holiday after his disgraceful stamp on Juandre Marais at the end of last season, but he showed the positive side of his game against England.
Huget ventured off his wing early in the second half and raced onto Frederic Michalak's inside pass before sidestepping Mike Brown to score the game's opening try.
Italy's Leonardo Sarto also deserves a mention after making two breaks during their snorefest against Scotland, beating four defenders.
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
Bastareaud feared for his World Cup place earlier this month but the Toulon powerhouse booked his spot on the plane with a powerful performance against England.
The centre was Les Bleus' joint-top ball carrier with nine, making eight tackles and forging an effective partnership with Wesley Fofana.
Unsurprisingly, Bastareaud has been named in Philippe Saint-Andre's 31-man squad and is expected to start in France's midfield for their World Cup opener against Italy in Twickenham on September 19.
12. Luther Burrell
The pressure was on Burrell following Sam Burgess' display at Twickenham the week previous, and the Northampton man's cause wasn't aided by France's dominance at the breakdown.
Despite England's struggles up front, Burrell made 10 carries during his 63 minutes of action, making 43 metres, while one tackle led to a turnover.
Scotland's Peter Horne also caught the eye during a 12-minute cameo in Turin. The Glasgow Warrior made a break down the right wing which resulted in Henry Pyrgos' winning try.
11. Christian Wade
Having missed out on World Cup selection, Wade has been taking his frustration out on opponents in the Premiership Rugby Sevens.
The Wasps flier scored seven tries in three games, including a hat-trick against Harlequins and he will look to continue that form in Friday's final at the Twickenham Stoop.
Jack Nowell, one of the players preferred to Wade in the England squad, also put in a decent shift during their defeat in Paris.
The Exeter wing beat 10 defenders, wriggling through tackles to make 65 metres, while he also made five tackles, the most in the England backline.
10. Frederic Michalak
The great enigma of French rugby booked his place at the World Cup by kicking 17 points against England, with Francois Trinh-Duc cast aside by Les Bleus.
Michalak surpassed Christophe Lamaison as France's record points-scorer, his five penalties and conversion taking him to 194 points in 72 international appearances.
The 32-year-old also made Joe Marler look foolish by throwing a sublime inside pass to send Yoann Huget through for their opening try, and can now look forward to competing at his third World Cup.
One player who will be competing at his first World Cup is Italy's Tommaso Allan. The fly-half played the full 80 minutes against Scotland, who represented at underage level, kicking three penalties and making eight tackles.
9. Danny Care
Like Cipriani and Nick Easter, Care added some much-needed spark as England came close to snatching an undeserved victory in Paris.
The Harlequins captain 'brought zip to the game' and had a hand in both of England's tries, showing good understanding with George Ford and his backline.
Care completed 53 passes during his 32 minutes on the pitch, 18 more than the man he replaced, Ben Youngs, with both players expected to make the cut on Thursday.
1. Eddy Ben Arous
We expected Dan Cole to pile the pressure onto Ben Arous come scrum time but the Racing 92 man more than held his own.
Better known for his work around the paddock than at the set-piece, he backed up his seven carries with a solid scrum performance.
Gave away three penalties which would have been a concern, but all in all a good day at the office for the 24-year-old.
2. Guilhem Guirado
While England's hookers couldn't seem to hit a barn door at the lineout, Guirado was picking his men out at will.
Although he was not his usual dynamic self around the field, it was a fine set-piece display from the Toulon man who must surely have cemented his spot in the French starting XV.
3. Rabah Slimani
A big game from the tight-head prop who set the foundation for France and dominated Joe Marler at the scrum.
Critics will say that he needs to do more around the pitch, however his massive presence at the scrum more than makes up for it.
4. Quintin Geldenhuys
Scotland's win over Italy was a bit of a damp squid but the Azzurri's captain for the day was the heart and soul of a powerful Azzurri pack that dominated Scotland.
With 10 carries and 10 tackles to his name, Geldenhuys certainly put himself around in both attack and defence.
5. Pascal Pape
We have stuck in another No 4 here as Pape had another impressive game for France.
The Stade Francais man was a presence all over the field and made a real nuisance of himself at the lineout putting England's jumpers under all sorts of pressure.
Made nine strong carries and played his part in defence too.
6. Nick Easter
Easter came off the bench against France and impressed immediately, the 37-year-old carrying well and giving England some much-needed direction.
England seem to be lacking some real leaders and thinkers on the pitch at the moment and Easter fits the bill on both counts.
7. John Hardie
Despite their win – their first since November 2014 – this was a disappointing performance from Scotland ahead of the World Cup.
Hardie would have been one of the few positives coach Vern Cotter would have taken from the game.
The openside worked his socks off, making 15 tackles, and also got Scotland onto the front foot by averaging an impressive 5.5 metres with his four carries.
8. Louis Picamoles
Picamoles was his usual bullocking self and was the biggest ball carrier for France.
The No 8 seemed to make inroads at will and if he remains in this mood, he could well be one the stars of the 2015 World Cup.
Picamoles backed up his attacking prowess with a solid defensive effort.
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