England won their sixth consecutive Women’s Sixth Nations title; Maud Muir, Alex Matthews, Meg Jones, Marlie Packer and Amy Cokayne scored in the first half, with Matthews adding a second in the second; Assia Khalfaoui received a red card for a dangerous tackle in the 45th minute.
Last updated: 04/27/24 7:06 p.m.
Alex Matthews replaced England en route to huge win
England won their sixth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title and completed a Grand Slam hat-trick with a 42-21 victory over 14-player France in Bordeaux.
The first 40 minutes of action was nail-biting as the Red Roses completed the bonus point before the break, tries from Maud Muir, Alex Matthews, Meg Jones, Marlie Packer and Amy Cokayne, as well as the perfection of Holly Aitchison’s boot, giving them 35 points.
France fought back thanks to converted efforts from Gabrielle Vernier and Marine Ménager, but lost 35-14 at halftime.
The hosts were forced to play the majority of the second half with one player down after Assia Khalfaoui was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle, but they did not give in, with Menager heading over for his second essay.
However, Matthews’ second score halted any progress made, securing England a 42-21 victory.
The victory takes the Red Roses to a third consecutive Grand Slam and their sixth consecutive Six Nations title, allowing France to seek their first victory over the old enemy since 2018.
First-half blitz helps England to Six Nations success
The Red Roses were ready to play with intensity from the start and were rewarded within the first five minutes, with Muir rising from close range from the line and Aitchison converting for a 7-0 lead.
With the hosts missing chances, the English set-up put them in front once again and this time it was Matthews who came out of the rolling maul, the conversion giving them a 14-0 lead in the first 15 minutes.
France then finally fought their way through after a series of phases, with Vernier executing the smoothest of lines and Lina Queyroi transforming to make the score 14-7.
Pauline Bourdon Sansus runs with the ball as France try to find crucial points
Out of nowhere, Jones then hit back for England, poaching possession via an interception to dive into the corner, but minutes later Menager came down the other end of the pitch, making the score 21-14 with just over 10 minutes left. of the first 40.
England’s Megan Jones scores her team’s third try following an interception
Packer then got a controversial try as she went in, the crowd not appreciating what they suspected was a failed effort before the line, giving the Red Roses a 28-14 lead and the bonus point before the break.
France: Tests: Gabrielle Vernier (18 years old), Marine Ménager (28, 70 years old); Conversions: Lina Queyroi (19, 29, 71)
England: Tries: Maud Muir (5), Alex Matthews (12, 72), Meg Jones, Marlie Packer (33), Amy Cokayne (40); Conversions: Holly Aitchison (6, 13, 26, 40+1, 73)
Things then got worse for France when Cokayne scored his side’s fifth try, with Aitchison again kicking the conversion for a 35-14 half-time advantage.
Drama then ensued just four minutes into the second half when Khalfaoui was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Morwenna Talling, with the bunker review turning it into a red card for high danger.
A struggle for momentum ensued as emotions ran high, with France committing unforced errors as they searched for more points, their biggest opportunity as they put the phases together straight at the England line ending suddenly by a step forward.
They finally made their breakthrough in the 70th minute when Menager scored his second goal, but it only took a few minutes for the Red Roses to respond when Matthews came back once more to make it 42-21, the Celebrations then ensued as Aitchison kicked the ball into touch and confirmed the Red Roses’ Grand Slam hat-trick.
England’s Maddie Feaunati celebrates her victory with teammate Emily Scarratt
What they said: Packer – We can turn up the volume whenever we want
England captain Marlie Packer on BBC Sport: “I’m super proud of the girls. We’ve built our group and we’re well into the John Mitchell era with the way we want to play.
“We have just won a Grand Slam and what an incredible atmosphere, it was quite hostile but it means we can raise the level when we need to.
“I’m just super proud of the girls. We have smiles on our faces but we’re not really celebrating and that shows the results of this campaign. I’m just proud of the girls.
“It means everything, but I’m not just lifting the trophy, I’m doing it with the girls, not myself, it’s every player, it took a real team effort.
“A lot of stuff behind the scenes too with everything the physio and everyone puts in.
“That’s why we can play on the field.”
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