Nick Easter sees England kicking on from their victory in France © Getty Images

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Matches: France 13 - 24 England

Players/Officials: Paul Sackey

Man of the match Nick Easter described England's 24-13 win over France as a "massive springboard" after their victory at the Stade de France threw open the RBS 6 Nations.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was in world record-breaking form, slotting his 29th Test drop-goal as part of a 14-point haul. Wilkinson also booted three penalties and a conversion of wing Paul Sackey's early try as England dashed French Grand Slam hopes to leave Wales leading the championship, while scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth claimed a late try.

Easter insisted, though, that England could not rest after their victory as he looked ahead. He told BBC1: ''It is a massive springboard. To win away is what rugby is all about really, but we can't take a step backwards like we did after the World Cup. We've got to go up to Murrayfield and I think we've got a score to settle there.''

England had beaten France at the same venue in the World Cup semi-final last October and Easter admits they relish playing the opposition. ''It is always good playing them, I've always enjoyed the occasions. But we are still looking to go forward and we've been disappointed with the previous two performances. We came back to a ground we quite like and did the job.''

England coach Brian Ashton denied his team were playing for their places in the side but admitted they had had to pull out a good performance under pressure. He said: ''It's a bit strong saying that but they were under no illusions they had to put a performance in today. We needed to. We have played two half games and we needed to do a full one.''

Ashton admitted he was proud of the side's response. ''I am very proud. I never had doubts with this group of players that they could respond and put on a performance like that. But there are things to work on. We came in at half-time ahead and felt we had hardly had any ball. We need to make it a bit easier for ourselves.''

Captain Phil Vickery was proud of the team but insisted they should perform that way every time they represent England. Vickery said: ''We knew we had to front up today and that is what we did. I am hugely proud of the team but let's not get carried away. We were under a lot of pressure. But we should show that every game.

''We need to kick on now. Today everyone showed that but that should be every game. We set some standards today.''

Wigglesworth was clearly thrilled by his try-scoring debut, saying: ''It was a great occasion, it is a wonderful setting and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We're right back in it. We said we could still win it and nobody believed us but maybe now they will.''

England Player Ratings:

IAIN BALSHAW: Never seriously tested in defence by the revered French back-three of Cedric Heymans, Aurelien Rougerie and Vincent Clerc. Solid. 7/10

PAUL SACKEY: Finished brilliantly to claim his seventh try in 13 Tests as England took charge from an early stage. 7

JAMIE NOON: Produced an immense tackle that set up Sackey's try, and the Newcastle centre continues to be consistency personified. 7

TOBY FLOOD: Had a quieter game than his Falcons colleague Noon, but he didn't put a foot wrong. 6

LESLEY VAINIKOLO: Perhaps had the ball in hand more than against either Wales or Italy, but England still aren't getting the best out of their juggernaut wing. 6

JONNY WILKINSON: Set a new world Test drop-goal record of 29 and added another 14 points to his England total. Calm and assured throughout. 8

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH: The Sale Sharks scrum-half made an outstanding full debut, capping a superb display with England's clinching try. 8

ANDREW SHERIDAN: Simply the world's best prop, he caused the French front-row all kinds of grief as England dominated that critical set-piece area. 9

MARK REGAN: Wound France up to the point of combustion. Les Bleus coach Lievremont called him a clown - Regan is still laughing. 7

PHIL VICKERY: England's captain led from the front, inspiring his colleagues and enjoying a huge work-rate. 8

SIMON SHAW: Another solid display by the Wasps lock, who was at the hub of England's mighty forward effort. 7

STEVE BORTHWICK: Will be disappointed that England lost one lineout on their own throw, such are his high standards. 7

JAMES HASKELL: Departed because of an ankle injury after 23 minutes to be replaced by Leicester's Tom Croft. 6

MICHAEL LIPMAN: The Bath flanker made a lung-busting 21 tackles and was a lively presence throughout the contest. 8

NICK EASTER: Controlled matters well at number eight as the England forwards dominated. 7

Replacements

TOM CROFT: Took over from an injured Haskell. Made a couple of errors, but solid for the most part. 6

LEE MEARS: Went on for Regan after 50 minutes and played a key role as England secured the win. 7

BEN KAY: Given a run instead of Shaw for the final nine minutes. 6

MATHEW TAIT: Played the last eight minutes after taking over from workaholic Noon. 6

MATT STEVENS: Replaced Sheridan during the closing minutes. 6