England wins fourth consecutive title and Grand Slam
LONDON - England proved their total dominance of the world game as they won a fourth consecutive Women's Six Nations title with a Grand Slam victory in France.
England were initially startled in front of a sellout Bayonne crowd as France's Romane Menager scored first. But their maul was a formidable weapon with two Sarah Bern and one Abbie Ward tries for a 21-7 lead at half-time.
Annaelle Deshayes' 66th-minute try gave the vocal fans hope, before
England held on for their 23rd win in a row. That run equals England's best - set between 1992-97 - and they have now won 10 consecutive games against France, who will be their World Cup pool opponents in October.
After record wins against the Black Ferns in the autumn, this victory places England as firm favourites for the showpiece in New Zealand. The French newspapers on Saturday morning promised things would boil over in Bayonne
and the atmosphere at Stade Jean Dauger - sold out more than a month before the game - did not disappoint.
The chants of 'Allez Les Bleues' started early as the crowd cheered France's arrival and booed England. During the week, England had stated their intention to silence the crowd. That message evidently did not reach the resident brass band and when Zoe Harrison dropped a high ball behind her tryline there was an eruption of noise as the knock-on gave France a 5m scrum. N0.8 Menager sniped through a gap for the inevitable score to put England behind - something they had not yet experienced this tournament.
For the first time since 2021's Six Nations final against France, England were rattled. The Red Roses' superstars settled their nerves as Poppy Cleall made a solid carry and Helena Rowland followed it up with a stylish 50:22 kick.