England 38-33 France: Red Roses clinch Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam at Twickenham

England: (33) 38
Tries: Dow, M Packer, Matthews, Penalty, Aldcroft, Davies; Cons: Rowland 3
France:(0) 33
Tries: Boulard, Vernier, Escudero, Gros, Banet; Cons: Tremouliere 3, Vernier

England sealed a Six Nations Grand Slam in front of a record women’s crowd of 58,498 at Twickenham, holding on for victory against France on a landmark day for the sport.

With the hosts seemingly settled, four more tries followed for a 33-0 half-time lead in England women’s first standalone Test at the ground.

That proved enough to secure a fifth Six Nations title in a row, but the Red Roses could not push on after the break and it was France who scored five tries to their one.

The announcement of the attendance – surpassing the previous mark of 42,579 set at the 2022 World Cup final in New Zealand – breathed joy back into the air and Twickenham was on its feet dancing to celebrate at full-time.

In Simon Middleton’s last game as head coach, England bounced back from a heart-breaking World Cup final defeat by New Zealand less than six months ago.

England deliver in first half

It was a familiar line-up for a Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider, but Twickenham gameday had a whole new feel.

Travelling to the ground, a smattering of England shirts at various stations across London became a swarm on the slow march to the stadium – a sight never before seen for a women’s game.

Initial England nerves led to a cagey, kicking-heavy gameplan and early penalties conceded by the hosts in dangerous positions.

France’s Jessy Tremouliere missed a kick at goal and when she kicked the next penalty to the corner, England heaved France’s maul backwards and eventually won possession on the floor.

The visitors’ steely attack was met with physical England defence and, against the run of play, the Red Roses got on the scoreboard in the 18th minute.

Rowland tore into France’s half, propelled by a wall of sound she would never have experienced in her career before, but looked to be out on her own.

England quickly flicked the ball right and found wing Dow – the Red Roses’ perpetual superstar.

No amount of nerves could stop her from scoring, leaving the stadium quite literally bouncing.

Settled and with the floodgates open, Holly Aitchison put in-form centre Tatyana Heard through a gap and when England captain Marlie Packer then got her hands on the ball, even three France defenders could not bring her down.

The retiring Tremouliere had time for one last yellow card of her career, sin-binned in the 32nd minute for a deliberate knock-on and Alex Matthews was soon over off the back of a dominant scrum.

Then, France prop Rose Bernadou joined Tremouliere in the sin-bin for an infringement at the breakdown which gave England a penalty try.

It had largely been England’s backs – corralled by scrum-half Lucy Packer’s controlled performance – delivering the points courtesy of the Red Roses’ brawn up front.

But Sarah Beckett showed the pack had deft feet too as she cut a neat line inside and sent lock partner Zoe Aldcroft into space to score before half-time.

France fight back

Any thoughts of a possible record score against France to match the record crowd were soon snuffed out as Emilie Boulard’s try kicked off a bombardment.

England showed cracks in their defence and discipline and Gabrielle Vernier exploited the crevices, nipping through a gap and across the tryline to bamboozled murmurs from the crowd.

With the try tap seemingly turned off, England had to weather the pressure and did just that as they doggedly worked through phases in France’s half.

When all else fails, the Red Roses have a deadly maul and that is where they turned for their sixth try as Lark Davies touched down.

Still France kept going, as Charlotte Escudero scored off a line-out and both Emeline Gros and Cyrielle Banet snuck across the tryline in the final four minutes, with England apparently already celebrating their victory.

The Red Roses’ earlier work was enough to secure a fitting end as they claimed their 12th win in a row against France, a 100th win in the Six Nations and departing coach Middleton’s sixth title in the tournament.

Captain Marlie Packer raised the newly designed trophy aloft as the vast majority of fans stayed behind to celebrate on a historic day at Twickenham.

‘I am super proud’ – what they said

England captain Marlie Packer told BBC Two: “I am super proud. The whole squad in this Six Nations has got us to where we are today and it is amazing.

“We knew France would be tough, they played to the 80th minute and kept asking questions of us, so credit to them.

“Simon’s team talk just then had me in tears. He has been amazing for what he has done for women’s rugby.”

‘An exceptional day I will never forget’

England head coach Simon Middleton on his final match in charge: “You couldn’t wish for more than this. It’s been an honour and privilege to do this job. I have been very lucky.

“The girls should be massively proud of what they are doing. I am so proud.

“To produce a game like that on a stage like this is everything that is good about the game. It’s been incredible. It’s a great learning experience that second half and they will continue to grow.

“This game has given me more than I’ve ever dreamed of. It’s been an exceptional day that I will never forget.

“You live for moments like lifting the trophy.”

‘The sky is the limit’

England flanker Sadia Kabeya: “It’s been an absolutely amazing tournament and today we got the result we needed in front of a brilliant crowd. It’s been an amazing day at Twickenham.

“It was definitely a game of two halves but we stuck to it and our gameplan.

“The only way is up for us. With the players we have coming through, the sky is the limit.”

Player of the match – Sadia Kabeya

Line-ups

England: Kildunne; Dow, Rowland, Heard, MacDonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Botterman, Davies, Bern; Aldcroft, Beckett; Kabeya, M Packer (capt), Matthews.

Replacements: Powell, Carson, Muir, Cleall, Talling, Hunt, Reed, Breach.

France: Boulard; Banet, M Menager, Vernier, Llorens; Tremouliere, Bourdon; Brosseau, Sochat, Bernadou, Feleu, Forlani (capt), Berthoumieu, Hermet, Escudero.

Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Khalfaoui, R Menager, Gros, Chambon, Arbez, Filopon.