England’s Red Roses produced a stunning performance to defeat France 43-28 in the Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux on Sunday, clinching a record-extending eighth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title.
France had a strong first half with scrum-half Pauline Bourdon-Sanzas scoring the first goal, but England hit back and prop Sarah Byrne, full-back Ellie Kildon (two goals) and winger Jess Breech scored four tries before half-time to score the impossible.
The hosts fought back with further tries from wingers Anais Grand and Bourdon Sansus to cut the score to 29-21, but the Red Roses struck again when they needed to break through the breach again.
England fly-half Zoe Harrison also had some great kicks off the tee, adding five conversions and one penalty (two from the touchline).
France’s reaction was then quelled by substitute scrum-half Alexandra Chambon being guilty of a high tackle, and England left to celebrate an astonishing 38th successive Test win with hooker Amy Cockayne scoring again.
France started the game completely on top and England also struggled to get touch on the ball, but the hosts got off to a great start and were unable to take another point.
Instead, France’s opening try came curiously from England’s opening attack for 22 points in the 14th minute. Roc Madousou Faure-Laclot won possession and the hosts fought back to score a top-quality try.
Winger Lee Mury brought down three defenders with a series of offloads, causing damage that allowed Bourdon Sansus to run in.
French scrum-half Pauline Bourdon-Sainchus scores the opening goal and a brilliant try for her team.
Six minutes later, France had a brilliant chance to extend their lead with a superb kick from full-back Pauline Barratt at 50:22, but, not for the first time in the tournament, they lost the ball in an attacking lineout.
Just two minutes later, France were made to pay the price when England’s tighthead Bern fell on a series of close-range carries that showed England’s strength.
The next big chance saw Murry miss a breach, but the ball was intercepted by hooker Cockayne and soon after, Kildan failed to clear well from his own 22, while another French lineout also failed.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Red Roses scored their second try without conceding as a loose ball in midfield was kicked twice by center Meg Jones, with Kildan showing pace and against the run of play, collecting the ball under the post.
With the Red Roses taking the lead, Kildan took advantage of the flow of the game to score his first goal.
In response, France broke through Siobhan Soqueta in the 22nd minute, but Cockayne pinched another big turnover, while England gave the visitors a big chance with a scrum penalty just before the end of the first half.
Although the maul was stopped, England did well to play wide with Breech in space and finish with a corner kick.
A great conversion by Zoe Harrison gave the Red Roses a 21-7 lead, and on the final play of the first half, Helena Rowland’s great long pass to Kildan increased that lead to an incredible 26-7.
After Kildon’s second goal of the game, England took an improbable 26-7 lead at half-time.
Less than two minutes into the second half, England further extended their lead with Harrison converting a penalty after Faure-Lacrotte was tackled off the ball.
A great carry from loosehead Ambre Mwayembe preceded a full French attack in England’s 22, but nothing came of it as he fed the ball from a central scrum to Grand, who was in space, and Grand knocked on towards the try line.
France finally started to put pressure on them in the 54th minute when Grand scored a goal wide of the target as the hosts picked up the pace with a carry. Carla Alves made a good goal to narrow the gap further.
Immediately after, France’s center Aubin Rousset was almost overturned but was stopped just in time, but the hosts equalized just five minutes after Grand’s try when Bourdon Sensus scored from a scrum and hit the post. The difference in points has narrowed to 8 points.
But just when the hosts started to believe, England stepped up a gear at the other end. Breech cut down the right flank with incredible pace and scored from a corner kick, before Harrison completed another superb touchline conversion.
Jess Breach scored twice in the Test, the second goal being crucial to stop France from coming back from behind.
Substitute scrum-half Alexandra Chambon was then guilty of a high tackle, reducing France to 14 men and putting the final nail in the coffin.
England, who did not need to incur the ire of the home crowd, then conceded several penalties and Cockayne ensured success by scoring from a driving maul, although France had the final say with a try from Rose Bernadou.
Kildon is proud of England’s ‘history makers’ – still has room to grow
Player of the match – Ellie Kildan – told the BBC:
“It’s hard to describe this feeling in words. This (five Grand Slams) has never been done before. I’m very proud to be part of a team that will make history again.”
“I knew today wasn’t going to be easy and I knew what was going to happen, but I’m so proud of these girls. Grand Slam Babies!”
“We’ve had to show how adaptable we are as a team. I don’t think there’s ever been a time when we’ve had so many people mixed together and this shows the depth of English rugby and the culture of our team in bringing in new people.”
“We won a Grand Slam, but there’s still a lot of room to grow. That’s exciting.”
Red Roses head coach Mitchell feels emotional
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell told the BBC:
“It was a great performance today. We were tough and had to endure quite a bit early on. The way our game has evolved is incredible. Once we connect at the back we become pretty unstoppable.”
“It’s great to win the World Cup on home soil, but what we’ve experienced in this tournament is that while the youth and energy shine through, while our mates are at home being mothers and undergoing rehabilitation, they’re really brave, incredibly motivated and always brave.
John Mitchell is currently leading the Red Roses to consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam and Rugby World Cup wins.
“This was the toughest Six Nations and that’s why I got so emotional. Today was the biggest test ever and I sat in the room for quite a while trying to get through this game. But I have to take my hat off to the players and the coaching staff.”
“They’ve been great with adapting to so many changes. It’s made us a better coaching unit because we’ve had to be honest, clear and simple about how we do things.”
France captain Ferrieux: “England showed why they are world champions”
French national team captain Manae Ferreux told the BBC:
“As much as the effort we put in every day to play this type of game, the disappointment is huge. There’s a lot of disappointment.
“Little mistakes (that cost us). England can do big things with little mistakes. We gave them what they needed after the first try to score. That’s on us.”
“I’m proud of the girls and the group. We showed a difficult brand of rugby this tournament and we still have a lot to build on.”
“I want to congratulate England. They are world champions and they showed that on the field today.”
Women’s Six Nations final day results: Italy win in Cardiff, Ireland beat Scotland
Sunday, May 17th
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