Women's Six Nations: France v England

France: (14) 21

Tries: Vernier, M Menager 2 Cons: Queyroi 3

England: (35) 42

Tries: Muir, Matthews 2, Jones, Packer, Cokayne Cons: Aitchison 6

England sealed a third consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam and sixth straight title with a clinical victory over 14-player France in Bordeaux.

The Red Roses extended their championship winning record to 29 games, as John Mitchell's ruthless side struck five first-half tries before Assia Khalfaoui's second-half red card.

England, undaunted by vocal home support, started fast through tries from forwards Maud Muir and Alex Matthews before Gabrielle Vernier responded.

Centre Megan Jones grabbed an intercept try to restore England's 14-point advantage, with Marine Menager then scoring to keep France in touch.

But tries from Marlie Packer and Amy Cokayne pulled Mitchell's side clear before Khalfaoui saw her dangerous ruck clearout upgraded to a red card by the television match official 'bunker' system.

Despite being a player down for the majority of the second half Menager crossed for her second try, but Matthews made sure there was to be no famous comeback with her second score.

It also secures Mitchell's first championship in charge of the Red Roses, while he remains undefeated since taking charge last autumn.

With Stade Chaban-Delmas covered in blue and the atmosphere bouncing in Bordeaux, England showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the occasion as both Muir and Matthews crossed for early tries after slick handling.

Despite the fact France have been unable to defeat England since their last Six Nations title in 2018, only one score has separated the sides in three of their last four championship meetings.

That belief showed when Vernier cut a brilliant line to go over and turn up the volume on what was already a loud French crowd.

Coming into the game Mitchell’s side scored 14 tries in a ruthless display against Ireland, who finished third in the championship, to signal the gap in quality at the top of the table.

A surprisingly narrow win over Scotland earlier in the tournament left questions over whether the hosts would be able to properly challenge for the title.

France spent large portions of the opening half in England territory and despite scoring the pick of the first-half tries - when Menager fended off Jess Breach to finish off a superb backs move - struggled to convert their chances.

Fly-half Holly Aitchison has had a mixed tournament with the boot up until this match, with Mitchell saying in the week he had no concerns over her kicking and being proved correct in Bordeaux.

Aitchison kicked all five first-half conversions - which included a touchline kick for Jones' try - to pull England further ahead after scores from Cokayne and Packer.

Red card nullifies France comeback
England beat Les Bleus in front of a record women's crowd of 58,498 at Twickenham in last year's Grand Slam decider.

That match finished 38-33, with France nearly completing a 33-point second-half comeback.

Any chance of a repeat of that sort of fightback all but ended when Khalfaoui produced a reckless high clearout on Sale's Morwenna Talling early in the second half.

Red cards against Italy and Scotland and at least one sin-bin in every game had gone unpunished by England's opponents, as Mitchell called for his side to continue playing on the edge.

France were yet to have a player sent off in the Six Nations, but were on the wrong side of the physical contest in Bordeaux and were unable to learn from their visitors' previous mistakes.

Mitchell's side did only score once in the second half, through player of the match Matthews, who capped off an impressive campaign.

It was another dominant championship for England, but the ultimate goal still remains their home World Cup next year as their new attacking style continues to grow.

For France, it is now 13 defeats in a row against England, and the gap is only getting wider.

Line-ups

France: Boulard; Grisez, Konde, Vernier, M Menager; Queyroi, Bourdon Sansus; Deshaye, Sochat, Khalfaoui, Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Hermet, R Menager.

Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Joyeux, Feleu, Gros, Chambon, Ciofani, Jacquet.

Red card: Assia Khalfaoui (45).

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Kabeya, M Packer (capt), Matthews.

Replacements: Powell, Carson, Clifford, Ward, Feaunati, L Packer, Scarratt, Gregson.

Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ).

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1055 HRS, APR 28, 2024
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