France ran out 28-6 winners in the first of two clashes at U17M level against England this week in the match at Stade Max Roussié, Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
It was the visitors who got the scoring underway as Mason Munder shot through the line, converting himself to put England in front.
But Sacha Lecanu struck back on 28 minutes, breaking through the English defence, giving Isaac Gimenez an easy conversion to level the scores.
The rest of the half was a tight contest, with Gimenez adding a penalty six minutes before the break to put Les Bleuets ahead at half time.
France started the second half strong, with winger Kylian Logoras finishing in the corner just seven minutes into the half. Gimenez could not convert, but he was on target as Nail Bennabbo crashed over shortly afterwards to further extend the French lead.
Mason Munder was sent to the sin bin with just over 10 minutes remaining for a shoulder charge and it looked like Bastien Garcia would have the final word as he scarpered through the line with just four minutes to go, this time Nicolas Laporte converting, but with seconds to spare Rafael Zapata finished out wide to put the icing on the cake of a fine French victory.
The two teams will meet again on Friday at 7:00pm at Stade Lucien Desprats in Cahors for the second and final match of the series.
France
Flavio Jimenez Lopez , Kylian Logoras , Martin Sabata , Lucca Ferrer , Rafael Zapata , Nicolas Laporte , Isaac Gimenez , Emmanuel Bosch , Bastien Garcia , Yohan Benet , Edgar Geisler , Sacha Lecanu , Romain Hingray .
Interchanges: Maxime Grondin , Noé Payraudeau , Nail Benabbou , Léo Colomines , Ylann Turbian , Baptiste Cabanne .
Tries: Sacha Lecanu (28), Kylian Logoras (47), Nail Benabbo (54), Bastien Garcia (76)
Goals: Isaac Gimenez 3/4, Nicolas Laporte 1/2
England
Josh Williams, Zac Law, Rio York, Ben Fardimond, Kaleb Crosby, Mason Munder, Will Steen, Joe Meaney, Jenson Bamber, Roman Alcott, Jayden Murphy, Louie Mayes, Eddie Calvin.
Interchanges: Jack Worthington, Zachary Dennett, Adam Marsh, Robert Steel, Freddie Isherwood
Tries: Mason Munder (6)
Goals: Mason Munder 1/1
Sin Bin: Mason Munder (69) - Shoulder Charge