England's Red Roses celebrate fifth Grand Slam after defeating France
The Red Roses have clinched their fifth successive Grand Slam, with Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach running in two tries each in a 43-28 triumph over France in Bordeaux.
Hot on the heels of last year’s World Cup triumph, England secured their eighth consecutive Guinness Women’s Six Nations title while extending their winning run to 38 Tests.
Meg Jones’ team had to fight for their victory, with France – inspired by their dynamic scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus – threatening to reel them in during the third quarter.
But Breach’s second try slammed the door on the comeback, and England finished strongly as they once again overcame the absence of several World Cup players to injury and pregnancy.
They knew France - their closest European rivals – had meant business from the moment their defence was breached by a stunning try from deep that was given momentum by wing Lea Murie and ended with Bourdon Sansus arriving at full tilt to finish.
The hosts continued to threaten with Murie and Anais Grando on the opposite wing causing problems, but they were making too many errors.
England settled when Sarah Bern burrowed over from close range after a spell of pressure from their pack and they then seized full control with Kildunne striking twice.
The 2024 world player of the year had recovered from a heavy challenge that might have been late and was first to the ball when Jones fly-hacked ahead as the Red Roses reacted quickly to France’s attack breaking down.
France were still asking questions of the visiting defence but mistakes continued to haunt them, including in defence when Murie failed to tackle Breach when the England wing picked up a loose pass and raced over.
Kildunne switched on the afterburners for her second after capitalising on an overlap and, with Zoe Harrison landing all four conversions, the Red Roses were 26-7 ahead at half-time.
France called on their history of comebacks against England to respond with two quick tries, both run in by their half-back general Bourdon Sansus.
Two classy scores by Bourdon Sansus had blown the game wide open but France’s reply ran out of steam and it was Breach who went over next with Kildunne’s straight line giving her a finisher’s chance.
Breach left three tacklers in her wake to place England on the brink of glory and the final stages swung conclusively against the hosts.
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Replacement scrum-half Alexandra Chambon was sin-binned for a high tackle on Maddie Feaunati, who had earlier received lengthy treatment on a knock that appeared to have ended her afternoon.
A line-out move produced a late try for Amy Cokayne to drive the visitors further ahead and, although Rose Bernadou crossed in overtime for France, the final scoreline underlined England’s dominance of the women’s game.
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