Despite two quickfire France tries at the start of the second period, Bradford Bulls captain Kirsty Moroney helped herself to a second-half score which sealed the contest.
The game was played in sweltering 32-degree heat, with water breaks taking place mid-way through each half, but Hardcastle, the powerful Bradford centre, helped England get on top as she ran in three tries in quick succession.
Featherstone wing Bulman then scored a stunning 90-metre solo effort to put the visitors comfortably ahead, before Ophelia Coll hit back for France just before half time.
Tara Stanley's three goals meant Chris Chapman's side were 18 points up at the interval.
Despite a dominant first period, England were on the wrong end of the game's next two tries; Manson Sanarra exposing a poor start to the second half with back-to-back four-pointers.
With just ten points in it, the energetic hosts were beginning to turn the screw, but scrum half Moroney's try gave England some breathing space, making it 26-12.
Though France substitute Sandrone Lloria got over to make it 26-16 late on, England kept their composure to hold out and hang on for the win.
Tryscorers Kayleigh Bulman and Amy Hardcastle stood out, with captain Andrea Dobson earning praise in the pack, while Thatto Heath's Chantelle Crowl put in an eye-catching effort on her international debut, playing the full 80 minutes at prop.
The French lost lock Jeanne Bernard early in the match with cruciate ligament damage in her knee.
England and France meet again on Saturday, June 24, in Perpignan, and if the French can improve their discipline and ball control the hosts believe they will be able to reverse the result of the first Test.
The England players had prepared for the first Test with an intense two day training camp at the Pergo Sporting Village in Toulouse as part of their build up for the World Cup.
This year will be the first time the women's and men's Rugby League World Cups will be played concurrently, with the women's World Cup final played as a curtain-raiser to the men's World Cup final in Brisbane's on December 2.
England: 26 (Dobson (2), Hardcastle (11, 18), Stanley (30), Bulman (40), Moroney (54) tries, Stanley goal) def France 16 (Biville (22), Samarra (42, 50), Castello (70) tries).
England: Charlotte Booth; Tara Stanley, Amy Hardcastle, Jess Courtman, Kayleigh Bulman; Faye Gaskin 7. Kirsty Moroney; Danika Primm, Lois Forsell, Chantelle Crowl, Emily Rudge, Shona Hoyle, Andrea Dobson (c). Interchange: Natalie Harrowell, Sinead Peach, Brogan Churm, Rachel Thompson.
France: Elise Ciria; Norgane Richard, Laureane Biville, Lucre Castillo, Manon Sanarra; Ophelie Coll, Alice Varela; Cyndia Mansard, Pauline Segvie, Leila Bessahli, Anniston Nikalef, Gusenaelee Urbes, Jeanne Bernard. Interchange: Fanny Ramos, Perrine Nontsarrat, Sandrine Lloria, Gazelle Alvernye.
This article first appeared on Rugby-League.com
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