England 15 France 21: England failed to deliver a morale-boosting success on their Twickenham farewell as 2003 world champions after France stung them with a late try.
Sale Sharks star Sebastien Chabal struck nine minutes from time, powering through weak English defence for the decisive score of a gripping game.
England's fifth successive home win under head coach Brian Ashton looked likely after Olly Barkley booted four penalties and Andy Gomarsall dropped a goal.
But 2007 World Cup hosts France, who claimed an early touchdown from veteran lock Fabien Pelous, struck a psychological blow ahead of a quickfire rematch in Marseille next Saturday.
Ashton will announce his 30-man World Cup squad next Tuesday and, despite the defeat, there were impressive contributions from fringe candidates Barkley and centre Jamie Noon.
Noon was a threat throughout the contest, defending tigerishly and attacking menace. Like Barkley, he might have done enough.
France, though, had just enough in the tank, as fly-half David Skrela and substitute scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde added 11 points with the boot.
