England win Six Nations grand slam after triumphing in historic crunch against France
The Red Roses gave head coach Simon Middleton a send-off to remember as they held off France 38-33 to win the Six Nations grand slam in front of a record-breaking crowd at Twickenham Stadium.
Five first-half tries from Abby Dow, Marlie Packer, Alex Matthews, and Zoe Aldcroft combined with a penalty try gave England a 33-0 lead at the half. France answered through
Emilie Boulard, Gabrielle Vernier, Charlotte Escudero, Emeline Gros and, Cyrielle Banet. England scored a sixth try through Lark Davies
After his 77th and final win at the helm of the Red Roses, Middleton was able to walk off into the lights as someone who helped create one of the most dominant teams in sporting history.
“We won with some fantastic rugby but full credit to France,” said Middleton as he reflected on the victory. “We’ve had some great successes and we have had some failures and that’s sport and today’s game typified everything but when you look around the stadium, there’s 58,498 people and just the energy in the stadium, I couldn’t be prouder. It’s a good place to step out.”
Through the opening quarter of the match, it was one-way traffic for the French who arrived at Twickenham’s hallowed turf with dreams of upsetting England’s historic homecoming. The visitors set up camp in England’s 22 but while England’s defence would bend, it would not break.
France were unable to draw first blood, despite some acrobatic flair from Cyrielle Banet and heavy carrying from their forwards. England’s Hannah Botterman was vital to her side shutting out the French in the first half, forcing two turnovers and seemingly sapping energy from the visitors.
In recent men’s matches, the Twickenham crowd has been disenchanted with its players who take to the field. Today’s celebration of the women’s game could not have been further from the bleak experiences of months gone by.
Nothing epitomised this more than England’s first try. After both teams resorted to attacks through the air, the game needed a catalyst on the crowd. Step forward, Abby Dow. The winger, known for her dazzling ability to punish defenders, capitalised on Helena Rowland’s break into the open field and crossed the whitewash for the opening score of the afternoon.
Twickenham bellowed with approval, a scarce rarity only two months ago.
As England found a dominant groove, the forwards marched into French territory displaying their ruthlessness at the scrum and in attack. Captain Marlie Packer led her team over France’s try-line and the visitors began to crumble defensively and mentally.
Rose Bernadou and Jessy Trémoulière were shown yellow and England won a penalty try.
Alex Matthews and Zoe Aldcroft added two more scores before the break as England’s one-way traffic kept the Twickenham faithful in fine voice.
When France regrouped after 40 minutes, they would have no doubt been wondering how England managed to rack up such a daunting score line.
France returned to the field with the same levels of gumption that saw them snuff out Wales last week. Two scores in ten eight minutes from Emilie Boulard and Gabrielle Vernier reminded England this Six Nations campaign was far from wrapped up.
England responded in the only way they knew how a driving maul off the back of a lineout. Their ever-reliable try-scoring weapon stretched their lead once more as Lark Davies had the enviable job of scoring England’s sixth try.
Woe betide anyone who wrote France off with 15 minutes to spare. Taking a leaf out of England’s playbook, France executed their own driving maul playing with a freedom and passion they could have done within the first half and Charlotte Escudero finished off the phase over England’s line.
The preverbal pendulum of momentum seemed to swing over the English channel for the first time since the opening stages of the match. France continued to beat England in phases of the game they were usually so dominant and nothing demonstrated this more than a monumental scrum and after a quick restart, Emeline Gros reduced France’s deficit.
A nervous aura continued to descend around Twickenham as Cyrielle Banet ran in another try with seconds to spare.
The French comeback would not be enough and England would not be denied their grand slam in front of their fans. It is their 5th championship title and they are back-to-back grand slam winners.
England’s victorious captain Packer said: “I can’t put it into words how good it was, absolutely amazing.
“From the bus journey into Twickenham today, it was a pinch-yourself moment. The fans were along the streets and it was a very special occasion from start to finish.”
The afternoon was crowned with Sarah Hunter, England’s most capped player bringing the new Six Nations trophy onto the field its first appearance.
“At the start of this tournament, we were co-captains together. For me, she is the ultimate Red Rose and the legacy she leaves behind, you don’t get 141 caps without being fully dedicated to the job in hand and she’s always been that person.
“To see her walk it on and get the standing ovation she deserves was special,” she added with a smile.
