England beat France 24-12 in Women’s Six Nations to win Grand Slam
England secured the Grand Slam with a 24-12 win in France for a fourth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title and a 23rd victory in a row. England was startled in front of a packed Bayonne crowd as France’s Romane Menager scored first. Sarah Bern and Abbie Ward tries put England on lead 21-7 at half-time. Annabelle Deshayes’ 66th-minute try gave England their 10 consecutive games against France, who will be their World Cup pool opponents later in October. Captain Emily Scarratt successfully kicked a resulting penalty to maintain a 100% record from the tee, adding to her three earlier conversions. The victory means England as firm favourites for the showpiece in New Zealand.
France offered defiant resistance initially but England eventually rumbled over the try line for Benn’s first score. The second try by Harrison kicked to the other corner and Ward went over in the maul. England wing Lydia Thompson dropped a high ball into touch and World player of the year Zoe Aldcroft stole the line-out to take all the tension out of the game. Thompson’s run got England back into France’s 22 and a penalty kicked to the corner meant their maul got the job done as Bern claimed a second. French pressure mounted again blue maul hit back as England came dangerously close to a yellow card and a penalty try before infante pounced on a loose ball and Harrison cleared their lines.