Red Roses secure Six Nations Grand Slam with victory over France
John Mitchell's side scored six tries to retain the Guinness Women's Six Nations title for the sixth year in a row
The 21-42 victory in Bordeaux confirmed England Women's third successive Grand Slam title as they scored tries from Maud Muir, Meg Jones, Marlie Packer, Amy Cokayne and an Alex Matthews brace. They conceded just 41 points across their five games in the 2024 championship.
France responded with tries from Gabrielle Vernier and a Marine Menager double as Lina Queroi kicked all three of her conversions.
Possession was all England's in the opening exchanges and an early scrum penalty earned them field position in France's 22. Their patience was rewarded when Muir crashed over from close range in the fifth minute. Matthews followed with a second soon after, with Aitchison kicking both conversions to secure an early 14-0 lead.
Responding almost immediately, France moved their way into the England 22 in search of their first points of the afternoon, which came at the hands of centre Vernier
A moment of opportunism from Jones set the platform for the Red Roses' third try of the evening. The Leicester Tigers centre intercepted Nassira Konde's offload and coasted down the right flank, but celebrations were short-lived as Marine Menager negated the points advantage with a second try for the home team shortly afterwards.
Captain Packer scored the bonus point-securing try from the base of a driving maul on the half-hour mark before the returning Cokayne added a fifth in similar fashion in the closing minutes of the first half.
France tight-head Assia Khalfaoui was shown a yellow card for a high challenge on Mornwenna Talling in the opening five minutes of the second half, which was later upgraded to a red card following an off-field review.
Undeterred and driven forward by scrum half Bourdon Sansus, France pushed forward in attack, pressing into England's 22 and forcing the Red Roses onto the back foot. The defensive wall was finally broken when Menager found space down the right wing to score her second of the afternoon.
Matthews crossed for her second with less than ten minutes on the clock after a penalty kick afforded her side possession in French territory. Lucy Packer found Connie Powell, who popped the ball into space for the No.8 to dot down under the posts.
It would be the final scoring action of an action-packed encounter in Bordeaux as Aitchison booted the ball into touch at the final sounding of referee Maggie Cogger-Orr's whistle.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
France 21-42 England
