Cornwall lock Lee Soper, currently enjoying life with Penzance-Newlyn, played for the England Counties XV against the French Amateurs side at Henley RFC on Sunday.
Despite losing27-18, Soper had the satisfaction of touching down one of the two tries.
Soper said the second-tier England team was fast becoming an important focus in allowing players operating outside the top flight to win representative honours.
"A lot of players out there are starting to take this Counties team seriously", said Soper. "There are regular games now and the team is getting more fixtures.
"It's the next level up for people and if they want to make that step they've got to make themselves shine in the County Championship".
He added: "Today it was just the little mistakes that let us down and you have to give the French credit for scoring two counter-attacking tries and another from first phase.
"I enjoy playing for my country and I'm very proud to do so even though the result puts a bit of a dampener on it."
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