A TRY from Worcester Valkyries ace Ceri Large helped England to a thrilling 17-13 win against France in the Women's Rugby Super Series in Utah, USA.

Debutant Zoe Aldcroft was driven over the line in the final play to give England a last-gasp triumph in their second match.

It was a crucial triumph for England who had been thrashed 52-17 to Canada in their opening fixture in the competition.

Large was among four Worcester players who started the game alongside Lydia Thompson, Rochelle Clark and Laura Keates, while Lark Davies was on the bench.

Two penalties from centre Camille Boudaud fired France 6-0 ahead after half an hour before a three-pointer from Amber Reed reduced the deficit.

England were rewarded for their pressure at the start of the second half when Large’s dummy allowed her to cut inside for the game’s opening try, which Reed converted.

France responded, scrambling over the line with less than 10 minutes remaining through Agathe Sochat. However, England pounded away at the French line in the dying minutes before Aldcroft was driven over in stoppage-time.

England now have until Saturday to recover before taking on the USA Eagles side, who lost 19-13 to France in their opener.

England lead coach Scott Bemand, the former Luctonians player, said: “That was another typically tough test against the French. Every time we play them, these are genuinely physical and hard matches.

“Perhaps we would have liked to have seen a bit more on the scoreboard but France defended well and got us under pressure when they went ahead with 10 minutes to go. The character in our group of players, and how they came back from the result against Canada, to keep playing to the death, shows that they understand how to win these international matches.”