Dimitri Yachvili kicked six penalties and France rallied from an 11-point deficit for an 18-17 victory over England in the Six Nations at Twickenham.

Tries by Olly Barkley and Josh Lewsey gave England a 17-6 half-time lead. But Charlie Hodgson and Barkley missed three penalties each and Hodgson also sent a late drop goal wide as the French hung on for a second victory in the tournament and a first at Twickenham since 1997.

Although Bernard Laporte's men never got close to the English line, they joined Ireland and Wales with two victories each while England, also beaten 11-9 by Wales, remained pointless from two games, same as Italy and Scotland.

"We know we have to play better if we are to keep the title," Laporte said. "I'm not happy that we didn't score a try but we're happy because we won. It's not easy to win at Twickenham."

With eight losses in 13 games, the English look in disarray and sorely miss the injured Jonny Wilkinson, the fly-half and kicking star whose last appearance was when he landed the drop goal that won the World Cup in November 2003.

Asked if he thought his team would have won if Wilkinson had been on the England lineup, Laporte replied: "No, I don't think so".

Wilkinson has been sidelined with shoulder, neck and arm injuries and does not appear close to rejoining England any time soon.

Without him, England has lost twice each to France, New Zealand and Australia and faces the possibility of a second defeat against Ireland in its next match in Dublin February 27.

"I'd been kicking well all week and it was just one of those days for me," Hodgson said. "I just wasn't striking the ball today, wasn't getting a good hit. It was just one of those things."

England coach Andy Robinson, who has lost to Australia, Wales and France in his five-match reign, said his team was close to winning all three games.

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