© David Rogers/Getty Images

Stuart Lancaster accepted France deserved to win and bemoaned England's ill-discipline in the wake of their 25-20 loss at the Stade de France.

France were dominant for the first 60 minutes but a late England rally saw them score two tries and end up chasing a win in the final stages of the match.

For much of the game, England were second best in the set piece and gave away penalties in key areas of the pitch.

"Our decision making at the breakdown was poor. We didn't get enough set piece ball to build any possession," Lancaster said.

"When we did retain possession and build phases, we scored some good tries.

"The first 60 minutes wasn't good enough. We need to be better and more disciplined. At half time we were 7-4 behind on the penalty count and France had scored 15 points without having to work too hard.

"It was difficult for both sides at scrum time and a few decisions didn't go our way, but overall when we did get some ball we looked dangerous. Jamie George did well when he came on. We'll have to work on it against Ireland because they have a world class lineout."

Lancaster admitted the pitch "wasn't ideal" but was impressed with the performance of the bench who gave the side some impetus.

"I thought Danny [Cipriani] did well. All the bench made a difference. David Wilson, Mako [Vunipola] carried well and we got some go forward.

"Nick Easter carried well and Jamie George played well. Danny Care brought zip to the game. We scored some good tries but it doesn't feel that way because we gave ourselves too much to do in the first 60."

For assistant coach Andy Farrell, he hopes England will learn from their mistakes and come out of their Paris loss a better side.

"I was disappointed not to win the game but in what was a first hit out for a lot of the guys it's about how you're mastering the basics of the game. A lot of our good play in the second-half came because we understood how to get field position and territory and keep hold of possession.

"Once we sorted that out, we are a threat against anyone as our attack is hard to handle. The other basics of our game have to be around discipline and at the breakdown. We were disappointed to lose the game, it could have been won in the final few seconds.

"If that means that after one game for a lot of these guys, if they understand how to win field position and territory and how to best attack, make decisions and be disciplined - if those things are waxed after this game and we are a good enough side to ensure that those errors don't happen again then we will take the loss and take it to the Ireland game."