England extend domination as they clinch Grand Slam hat-trick
Marlie Packer led England to another Six Nations Grand Slam
©PA
France 21-42 England, Bordeaux
England have clinched the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam hat-trick as they defeated a 14-player France side with a 42-21 victory in the final round in Bordeaux.
This was also sixth straight title for England in the Six Nations as they remain undefeated since John Mitchell took over in autumn last year.
England made a head start to the game as Maud Muir powered from close range and Holly Aitchison kicked the conversion in front of the posts to make it 0-7. The visitors doubled their tally in the 12th minute when Alex Matthews found the gap in the defence of France to touchdown and Aitchison once again improved to make it 0-14.
The first response from France came in the 18th minute when Gabrielle Vernier burst through the gap to score but England responded back strong as Emilie Boulard's pass allowed Megan Jones to touchdown before an assist from Pauline Bourdon Sansus allowed Marine Menager to score making it 14-21.
England dominated the remaining of the opening half as Marlie Packer and Amy Cokayne scoring further tries as Mitchell's side headed into the break with a convincing 14-35 lead.
The start of the second half saw Assia Khalfaoui sin-binned for head contact on Morwenna Talling and it was later upgraded to a red card following a bunker review system.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Romane Ménager went in the corner but her effort was cancelled out when Alex Matthews touched down after collecting a pass from Connie Powell as the red roses completed a 21 point victory and a Grand Slam title victory.
Team line up:
France XV: Boulard; Ciofani, Konde, Vernier, M Ménager; Queyroi, Bourdon Sansus; Deshaye, Sochat, Khalfaoui, Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Hermet, R Ménager.
Reserves: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Joyeux, Feleu, Gros, Chambon, Berthoumieu, Jacquet.
England XV: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Kabeya, M Packer (capt), Matthews.
Reserves: Powell, Carson, Clifford, Ward, Feaunati, L Packer, Scarratt, Gregson.
