Sarah Rendell’s report is here! She’s on the ground in Bordeaux and delivers first-hand insight into the victory which clinched England’s sixth successive Women’s Six Nations crown. Thanks for following it with me.
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This caps a dominant Six Nations for England. The table does not lie: five wins from five; maximum bonus points; a whopping points difference of +229.
Le Crunch was the only time they even came close to being tested and they were never behind and won by 21 points in France. John Mitchell has wanted to introduce a more expansive style of play and, although England have shown that increasingly in this competition, they needed their defence to be solid today. It did not let them down.
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England’s Natasha Hunt and Holly Aitchison are giving France their flowers, as the kids (possibly) say, on TV. Praising the hosts for keeping it to 7-7 in the second half despite being a player down for the majority of it.
Ellie Kildunne, almost certainly the player of this tournament, cheerily says that it was “good to silence” France. So that’s another way of looking at it! Hey, both can be true.
England are waiting to lift the Six Nations trophy, grins plastered all over faces as you would expect. Good to see: lots of the home fans who’ve spent a good portion of the last 80 minutes booing the visitors are sportingly staying around to applaud the champions.
Marlie Packer has her medal and she makes the team wait … before joining them on the stage and hoisting the trophy high!
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“Super proud of the girls,” says a delighted England skipper, Marlie Packer on BBC TV. “We’ve been building as a group. We’re well and truly into the John Mitchell era; this is how we want to play… We can turn it up when we need to.”
The first half was a thriller here in Stade Chaban-Delmas. It was like two sluggers trading haymakers, but England’s defence stood up better and France were not as clinical.
The second half was a scrappier affair but even down to 14 players, after Assia Khalfaoui’s red card, Les Bleues were a threat. England stood up to that test.
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Full time: France 21-42 England
England win! The triple grand slam is theirs. The Red Roses celebrate in Bordeaux. They scored six tries to France’s three. They were truly tested today by a dangerous if error-prone France side and they came through it with flying colours. Mission accomplished for the visitors.
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78 min: Alex Matthews is named the player of the match. She’s nabbed two tries today but been impeccable in defence as well. She’s been involved in almost everything good for England.
76 min: France do get over the line but they cannot ground it! Lucy Packer, on off the bench, sneaks herself under the ball – another fine piece of defence.
75 min: France have a lineout deep in England’s 22. Can they grab a try to narrow the scoreline?
TRY! France 21-42 England (Matthews)
That settles the game and seals the grand slam! England get their first try of the second half – Emily Scarratt being on the pitch helps, the ball comes to Alex Matthews and she goes over. Aitchison kicks, missing nothing today. England’s lead is unassailable.
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TRY! France 21-35 England (R Ménager)
France find a way through! They spread play wide, Vernier does the hard work and Romane Ménager goes over in the corner. The extras are kicked once again. That’s pretty impressive for the side with 14 players.
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67 min: France have the ball but are they running out of ideas and/or steam? They can’t seem to find a way through in a scrappy passage of play – and now the rain starts to pour down.
63 min: France plough into the England defence, putting pressure on the line. But it’s a wall of white shirts in front of them right now, the visitors very disciplined. Ménager knocks on. The England defensive coaches, including Sarah Hunter, will be loving that.
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60 min: Cokayne’s lineout is perfect (copy; paste). England are trying to find an opening by stretching play – but France interrupt. Neither side can seem to keep hold of the ball for any length of time right now.
58 min: England break and put the ball in France territory – but Les Bleues come back again. It’s end to end stuff, albeit without the tries of the first half. Yet it finishes up with an England penalty in the middle of the park. Ellie Kildunne is getting a little more of the ball now but France are battling hard.
57 min: The hosts break with some expansive play. They cannot find the opening but are playing very well with 14. They have a lineout and Romane Ménager snatches it.
54 min: France break and show great handling skills. But England’s defence is staunch one again. Anne-Cécile Ciofani’s knock-on, under no pressure, hands possession back to the visitors.
53 min: France play the ball around. Is it just a bit too slow? They’re letting England get set in defence. Hannah Botterman punches the air as she wins the ball back for England.
Red card! Assia Khalfaoui
The yellow card has been upgraded is the news from the officials. “High degree of danger, no mitigation,” comes the verdict. Khalfaoui is on tears on the bench – the challenge didn’t look vindictive at all but the decision is that it was too dangerous.
France’s mountain to climb has just become Everest.
47 min: A second scrum penalty against England. Then France earn another penalty on halfway. So far, they’re doing well with 14 – advancing down the field despite the player disadvantage.
45 min: Clara Joyeux comes on as prop and it’s the captain who makes way. Manaé Feleu runs over to the bench. An interesting move.
Yellow card for Assia Khalfaoui. England’s Morwenna Talling caught one there and the decision is a yellow card and Khalfaoui is in the bunker. France are down to 14.
44 min: France’s turn to ping the ball around and search for openings in the England defence. A knock-on, however, and we’ll restart with an England scrum … Before that we’re having a look at a head contact. The TMO is involved.
43 min: A France turnover, they win a penalty and Bourdon Sansus looks to tap and take it quickly – but there’s a player down injured so the referee pulls play back. Nothing serious. France still have a penalty.
42 min: An England lineout near halfway, Cokayne’s throws have been inch perfect. England have the ball and are passing it around neatly.
England kick off the second half! It’s the final 40 mins of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. The grand slam is on the line. Can France spark a fightback?
A word for the kickers: Holly Aitchison is five from five, Lina Queyroi is two from two. Some of those conversions have come from some difficult positions, as well. Chapeau to both.
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France will feel some borderline calls went against them. Can that sense of injustice rouse them for a comeback? Worth pointing out that they battled back and scored 33 points in the second half of this fixture last year to almost complete an epic turnaround. This, however, is probably a better England side.
Half-time: France 14-35 England
And exhale – what a half that was. England made the most of their opportunities and exploited any and all defensive errors, grabbing five tries. France have been on top in the scrum but have been nowhere near as clinical as their opponents. End to end stuff.
TRY! France 14-35 England (Cokayne)
Amy Cokayne’s lineout has been immaculate – and she gets a try now on top of that! Cokayne forces the ball over near the line. Aitchison is once again perfect in converting from out wide. She’s been immaculate too.
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38 min: France scrum inside their own 22, Bourdon Sansus snatches the ball and kicks. She’s been France’s best player so far but England will still sniff a fifth try.
36 min: England chuck the ball about with speed, looking for an opening. But Charlotte Escudero is solid in defence. From the obvious dept: France will not want to concede again before half-time.
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34 min: France think they have a try after charging down England’s kick. But after a review, Pauline Bourdon Sansus is ruled as offside – Bourdon Sansus appeals that she got her fingertips on the ball. The home crowd are fizzing.
TRY! France 14-28 England (Packer)
England think they have a try, Marlie Packer bulldozing over but it’s referred to the TMO – did she get it down cleanly? It’s given, and the crowd let the officials know what they think of that decision. Boo city. Aitchison kicks the extras: she’s a perfect four from four so far.
31 min: And breathe (for a bit). The referee Maggie Cogger-Orr is scolding both sides at the scrum. England have possession inside French territory now. You just feel either side can score a try at any time.
TRY! France 14-21 England (M Ménager)
What a game we are enjoying here! They’re going punch for punch. A sublime run from Bourdon Sansus and she finds the perfect pass to match and Marine Ménager sprints over out wide. The extras are kicked. That’s the try of the match so far!
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TRY! France 7-21 England (Jones)
A try out of nowhere! France try to play their way out from the back and it proves to be a serious, serious mistake. Megan Jones intercepts and there’s nobody to stop her racing over the line! Aitchison’s conversion from a very tight angle is good. She’s packed her kicking boots today.
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21 min: France have the momentum now. They have the ball, the crowd are behind them and it’s a French lineout just inside England’s half.
TRY! France 7-14 England (Vernier)
France make their possession tell! At last they spread the ball that bit quicker and they find Gabrielle Vernier, one of their key players, who dashes into space and dots down. The extras are kicked and it is Game: On.
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16 min: France pass the ball around slickly looking for a gap in England’s armour. It was stylish play but there was some crunching England’s tackles and they held out; something their opponents have twice been unable to do.
15 min: Can France get anything going? A scrum in England territory gives them a chance to recover – this time they do shunt England backwards. The visitors on defence now.
TRY! France 0-14 England (Matthews)
Once more England test the France defence and it is found wanting. They pass the ball around in front of the France line and Alex Matthews finds the gap to cross easily. Holly Aitchison kicks the extras. France are yet to turn up.
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10 min: England win another lineout, Amy Cokayne’s early throws have been on point. England win a penalty in French territory and kick for another lineout just where France do not want it.
8 min: A France lineout, nice take and – almost! – a sublime kick from Bourdon Sansus. She popped it behind the England defence but there was just too much on it. That would’ve been a try if there was a bit less on the kick.
TRY! France 0-7 England (Muir)
England play with pressure and patience, testing the France defence until they find an opening. Maud Muir powers over from close range – then the extras are kicked right in front of the posts. Just the start England wanted!
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3 min: England win a lineout via Zoe Aldcroft, spread the ball to the other flank and probe the France defence. They’re holding up but under serious pressure on their own line …
2 min: The hosts have the ball early on. France have a scrum and a chance to test the England pack. The visitors claim an early penalty! A minor but solid success.
First-half kick-off! France get us under way.
Anthems: England’s nicely observed by the home crowd, who are too classy to boo. La Marseillaise is bellowed inspiringly. It’s a banger, bien sûr.
The teams march on to the pitch in Bordeaux! It’s a grand slam decider, two teams that are 4-0 in this Six Nations, aiming to stick a defeat on their rivals. The crowd is loud, as are the fireworks. What more could you want?
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Full-time news from Belfast: Ireland 15-12 Scotland. Scotland led twice but were pegged back each time. A Dannah O’Brien penalty six minutes from time put the hosts ahead for the first time and they held firm.
That means Ireland finish the Six Nations in third place, earning automatic qualification for the 2025 World Cup. Scotland end up fourth after a positive campaign, but that narrow defeat at the end will sting.
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John Mitchell speaks to BBC TV. The Red Roses coach urges his side: “We must keep the emotions calm so people can be decisive under pressure.” But he’s also keen for a challenge. “Today will be a different story [than against Ireland]. Today will be an arm-wrestle and we’re ready for it. We can’t wait.”
It’s dry in Bordeaux! (insert wine pun of your choice here). The rain has stopped and the tricolour flags are being waved fervently inside the Stade Chaban-Delmas.
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Marlie Packer also said this week that she wants England to play “foot on the throat” rugby against France (not literally, we can confirm).
The captain clearly agrees with her coach who’s said he wants England to continue “playing on the edge” despite being reduced to 14 – and briefly 13 – players during this tournament. They want to avoid France grabbing a physical edge early on.
Pre-match reading: Marlie Packer, the England captain, has given a terrific interview to Donald McRae.
“We’re in France and the crowd is going to be hostile,” she tells the Don. “But we know that can flip on its head because of the French crowd. If they’re not happy with the way their team are playing, they turn on them and give them a bit of a hard time.”
It seems the Red Roses got a healthy drenching on arrival. As was forecast, it’s been pelting it down in Bordeaux. Let’s see if it’s still raining as heavily come kick-off in 40 minutes.
The #RedRoses are in the building 🙌#FRAvENG | #GuinnessW6N | @O2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/mLuiBx3jsd
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 27, 2024
Fancy a proper preview before kick-off? Sarah Rendell in Bordeaux has perfectly set the scene for us.
“The last time England lost in the women’s Six Nations Theresa May was prime minister, Chelsea were defending Premier League champions and The Shape of Water had just won best picture at the Oscars,” she begins. (Well, at least The Shape of Water has stood the test of time.)
France team
After resting a few of their aces against Wales, France are playing with a full pack – as you would expect. Lineup changes include the return of Madoussou Fall at lock and Gaëlle Hermet, the former captain, at flanker.
One late swap: Joanna Grisez is out, replaced on the wing by Anne-Cécile Ciofani. That’s a blow: Grisez scored two tries against the Welsh last time out.
Danger players include the powerhouse Gabrielle Vernier and her fellow centre Nassira Konde. The No 8 Romane Ménager – whose twin sister, Marine, starts on the wing – is another physical threat, while fly-half Lina Queyroi offers silkier skills.
England are aiming for a 29th successive Women’s Six Nations victory. The last side to beat them in this competition? France at home in 2018, naturally. This is the team looking to repeat that trick.
France XV: Boulard; Ciofani, Konde, Vernier, M Ménager; Queyroi, Bourdon Sansus; Deshaye, Sochat, Khalfaoui, Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Hermet, R Ménager.
Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Joyeux, Feleu, Gros, Chambon, Berthoumieu, Jacquet.
ℹ Chᥲᥒgᥱmᥱᥒt
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 27, 2024
Joanna Grisez est forfait, elle est remplacée par Anne-Cecile Ciofani. Axelle Berthoumieu intègre le groupe #FRAANG
#NeFaisonsXV
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England team
A strong lineup with minimal changes. Lark Atkin-Davies is injured, so Amy Cokayne comes back in after suspension. Morwenna Talling retains her place after Rosie Galligan picked up a thumb injury in the warm-up against Ireland.
The player to watch, among many, is Ellie Kildunne: just the nine tries for her in this Six Nations so far. That’s more than double anyone apart from her teammate Abby Dow (five) and Kildunne has been this tournament’s standout star.
Below are the Red Roses starters aiming to win a third successive grand slam, but the real sign of England’s strength in depth is the bench. Emily Scarratt and Abbie Ward ready to come on when needed? Oof.
England XV: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Kabeya, M Packer (capt), Matthews.
Replacements: Powell, Carson, Clifford, Ward, Feaunati, L Packer, Scarratt, Gregson.
Trust the process
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 27, 2024
Here are the #RedRoses who will take on France with the #GuinnessW6N title on the line#FRAvENG | @O2 | #WearTheRose
Late drama! Today’s early kick-off saw Wales snatch victory at the last, edging out Italy 22-20. In front of 10,592 in Cardiff, Sisilia Tuipulotu’s try in the final minutes levelled the scores before Lleucu George’s winning kick – redemption after her late miss against Scotland cost Wales a draw earlier in the tournament.
It’s still the wooden spoon for the hosts (a bonus-point win was needed to have any chance of avoiding that fate), but they will be relieved not to end this Six Nations winless.
“It is massive,” Ioan Cunningham, the head coach, told BBC Wales. “There is so much work, energy, effort gone into this campaign and things haven’t gone our way. It means so much to us all and we are just so delighted we managed to get across the line.”
Preamble
The 2024 Women’s Six Nations has saved the best for last: a winner-takes-all grand slam decider between France and England in Bordeaux. Le Crunch!
The Red Roses are the form team, John Mitchell’s side improving, evolving and culminating in a 14-try demolition of Ireland last time out. They have become increasingly clinical as this competition has gone on and the back three – Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Jess Breach – scored eight tries between them against the Irish. Yikes.
Les Bleues have had endure a bit more, showing their best in flashes. But they have raised their game in key moments and will be backed by a vociferous 27,000+ fans at Stade Chaban-Delmas. They’re a physical side, a menace at the breakdown and will be fired up as underdogs.
However it’s the visitors who have to be wary of ill-discipline: two red cards and two yellow cards have been dished out to England in this Six Nations. They didn’t matter a jot in their four previous cakewalks, but it’s a different situation in France.
Also, while England have crushed all before them, there’s an argument that France having been in a few scrapes – particularly in Scotland where they were behind at half-time – means they are more battle-tested if this goes close. Though you get the feeling England’s players are relishing the prospect of a challenge.
It kick-offs at 4.45pm BST (5.45pm local time). Starting XVs and live updates are on their way!
