Deja vu for downbeat Guirado

Guilhem Guirado said falling short is becoming "tiresome" for France after an agonising defeat against England on the opening day of the Six Nations.

Les Bleus showed how far they have come under Guy Noves at Twickenham on Saturday, leading for much of the game but going down 19-16 after Ben Te'o came off the bench to score a decisive try 10 minutes from time.

Defeat was harsh on France, who scored the opening try on the hour mark when Rabah Slimani crashed over and Camille Lopez converted to put them 16-12 up.

France were only narrowly beaten by Australia and New Zealand in November and captain Guirado was left with that sinking feeling again after their latest setback in south-west London.

"It feels like we're repeating ourselves after what we managed to do in November." said the Toulon hooker 

"It's really hard to take another win by so little having dominated for so long and having been close to the line so often.

"I hope there are better days on the horizon but it's tough, it's starting to become a little tiresome."

France must now aim to bring Scotland back down to earth in Paris next Sunday after Vern Cotter's men beat Ireland at Murrayfield.