BORDEAUX – England ran in six tries to win a sixth successive Women’s Six Nations rugby title with a 42-21 victory over hosts France in their championship decider at the Stade Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux on April 27.
They also claimed the Grand Slam for the third year in a row.
England used their forward power to score tries through hooker Amy Cokayne, centre Megan Jones, flanker Marlie Packer, prop Maud Muir and No. 8 Alex Matthews (two) as they led 35-14 at half-time.
“It was incredible and hats off to the forwards,” fullback Ellie Kildunne said. “It was an easy day for the backs. I am so happy to silence the French.”
France remained in the contest despite a second-half red card for prop Assia Khalfaoui.
Their three scores came via centre Gabrielle Vernier and wing Marine Menager (two).
England topped the table with 28 points followed by France on 19. Ireland finished third in the championship following a 15-12 win over fourth-placed Scotland, while Wales collected the wooden spoon despite a 22-20 victory over Italy.
“Super proud of all the girls, we have been building as a group on and off the pitch,” England captain Packer told the BBC. “We are well and truly into a (coach) John Mitchell era and we will keep growing as a group.
“What an amazing atmosphere and quite hostile but it means we can turn it up when we need to. It means everything but I am lifting it (the trophy) with the girls, I am not on my own.
“It has taken a squad effort, not just as coaches and players but from the backroom staff as well.”
The title decider was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 28,000.
There had been talk of the Women’s Six Nations being essentially a two-horse race from the start, with England and France again well ahead of the rest in terms of quality.
This season’s championship will have done little to dispel that as England scored 270 points and conceded only 41 in their five Tests.
The visitors were on the front foot from the first whistle and raced into a 14-0 lead as Muir and Matthews crossed for tries.
But the home side hit back with a superb running line from Vernier as she scythed through the England defence to dot down.
France needed to settle down the game from there, but a loose pass as they tried to run out of defence allowed Jones to intercept and race clear.
Menager then showed her pace to cross out wide as they hit back again.
But England were dominant in the forwards and Packer and Cokayne dotted down from mauls to give the visitors a 35-14 half-time lead.
France were not helped by a yellow card, later upgraded to red on bunker review, for Khalfaoui, who was penalised for a high shot on England lock Morwenna Talling at a breakdown.
Menager scored her second try to close the gap to 14 points with 10 minutes remaining but England quelled any hint of a comeback when Matthews also got her second. REUTERS, AFP
