Tomkins set for French test

James Tomkins hopes England will turn on the style when they take on France at Hartlepool on Thursday evening.

"We normally play well against France, we tend to raise our game against them," said the highly-rated West Ham centre-half, who captained his club's first team during a pre-season friendly with Gillingham. "Hopefully we can do the same again."

Tomkins has huge respect for France, having played against them a number of times, most recently at Under-17 level in the UEFA Mini Tournament in Luxembourg last year.

"I remember last year we drew 2-2. We played very well. The coach [John Peacock] said we deserved to win.

"They are always hard opponents, technically very good and strong too. It will be a good test. They are as good a side as we are going to get."

Tomkins made his England debut against the Ivory Coast in the Montiagu Tournament two years ago, playing for the Under-16s.

Since then he has been a regular in the England set-up, making eight consecutive appearances for the Under-17s last year, but it is his first cap that means the most.

"When I first got the letter to say I had been picked, I had to read it twice," he recalls. "It was a moment to remember. It’s still the same feeling every time I get a letter, but the first one is special.

"Playing for your country for the first time is a feeling you can’t describe. I remember being very nervous before the game. I was playing a year above myself, so I did not know what to expect. I just gave it my best shot."

For a full report and reaction from Hartlepool, log on to TheFA.com on Thursday evening.