An England XV has been beaten 39-29 by the Barbarians in an entertaining encounter at Twickenham Stadium.

David Ewers's try was converted by Henry Slade on 12 minutes to put the hosts ahead, but the Barbarians drew themselves level soon after as Brock James added the extras to Benson Stanley's score.

England then opened up a 15-7 lead with 24 minutes played when an Elliot Daly penalty was followed up by Charlie Sharples's unconverted try.

The visitors moved to within a point of their opponents three minutes later as James kicked the ball between the posts after Juan Martin Hernandez had touched down.

However, England made sure that they had an 18-14 lead at the break through Slade's first penalty of the afternoon.

Mamuka Gorgodze's try, converted by James, then saw the Barbarians take the lead for the first time in the match on 46 minutes, and their advantage was increased when James kicked over three more points six minutes later.

Slade failed to convert his own try with 57 minutes played, and he was punished moments later as Francois Trinh-Duc came off the bench to kick over a penalty.

Another penalty from Slade kept England in touch with just under 20 minutes to go, but Hosea Gear converted after going over on 64 minutes to put the away side in firm control.

Slade kicked over his third penalty of the afternoon late on to close the gap for England, but the Barbarians secured their win in the final stages as Gear touched down for the second time.