Jack Rodwell came on as an 85th-minute substitute to make his England Under-21s debut as the Three Lions suffered a 2-0 defeat against France on Tuesday.

The Everton midfielder, who captained England Under-19s in last week's goalless draw with the Czech Republic, was handed the chance to step up a level by boss Stuart Pearce.

Both goals came in the first half, Gabriel Obertan drilling past Joe Hart on 26 minutes before Moussa Sissoko expertly lifted the ball over the Manchester City keeper nine minutes before the break.

England, who inflicted a 5-0 defeat on Norway on Friday, improved in the second half but failed to create clear-cut chances.

And with five minutes to go, Pearce elected to give Rodwell his chance, sending the 18-year-old on in place of Portsmouth's Martin Cranie.

Rodwell scored his first Everton goal in February's FA Cup fifth round victory over Aston Villa.

Nathan Craig played 28 minutes for Wales Under-21s as they romped to a 5-1 victory against Luxembourg.

The youngster emerged from the bench on 62 minutes as goals from Neal Eardley, Joe Allen, John Brown, Simon Church and James Wilson sealed an emphatic win for Brian Flynn's side.