England edge France by a point to claim Grand Slam
Women's Six NationsEngland (31) 43Tries: Dow 2, Sing 2, Atkin-Davies, MacDonald, Aldcroft Cons: Harrison 4France (21) 42Tries: Arbez, Bourdon, Menager, Arbey, Bourgeois, Grisez Cons: Bourgeois 6
England held off a late France fightback to secure a fourth consecutive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam and seventh straight title.The victory at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, extends the Red Roses' winning run to 25 games as they count down to the home Rugby World Cup that starts in August.In front of a crowd of 37,573, the hosts came out of the blocks fast to score the opening try through the prolific Abby Dow.Fly-half Carla Arbez quickly responded, before John Mitchell's side ruthlessly scored four tries to take control.Full-back Emma Sing, in for the injured Ellie Kildunne, grabbed two tries, while hooker Lark Atkin-Davies and in-form wing Claudia MacDonald also crossed.However, a dropped ball by Zoe Harrison gifted scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus a try and France capitalised on that momentum when centre Marine Menager scored to cut the gap to 10 points at the break.Captain Zoe Aldcroft restored England's advantage but that was quickly cancelled out by Kelly Arbey, who produced a sensational finish down the wing.Dow and Morgane Bourgeois then traded tries before Joanna Grisez raced away to set up a nervy finish in a highly entertaining and evenly balanced second half.England's last defeat in the Six Nations came against France in 2018 and their record run of championship wins has now moved to 34 games.It is John Mitchell's second Grand Slam since taking over side in the autumn of 2023, with the Red Roses last tasting defeat in the World Cup final by New Zealand in 2022.More to follow.
Line-ups
England: Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Feaunati, Matthews.Replacements: Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.France: Bourgeois; Grisez, M Menager, Vernier, Arbwy; Arbez, Bourdon; Brosseau, Bigot, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Feleu.Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Queyroi.Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
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