The Red Roses secured an unprecedented eighth consecutive Women's Six Nations championship on Sunday, defeating France 43-28 in a pulsating Grand Slam showdown in Bordeaux. The victory not only delivered the title but also extended England's extraordinary winning sequence to 38 Test matches, reinforcing their status as the sport's preeminent force.
France, buoyed by a vociferous home crowd at Stade Chaban-Delmas, drew first blood when scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus crossed for an early try after just 14 minutes. The hosts' aggressive defensive line and swift attacking transitions troubled England in the opening exchanges, but the defending champions quickly recalibrated.
Prop Sarah Bern muscled over for England's first try in the 22nd minute, cutting the deficit and shifting momentum. Then, in a devastating nine-minute spell, full-back Ellie Kildunne showcased her world-class pace and footwork with two tries, and wing Jess Breach exploited space on the left edge to make it four first-half scores. Fly-half Zoe Harrison, who was metronomic from the tee, added three conversions to propel England to a 29-14 halftime lead.
The second half saw France refuse to wilt. Wing Anais Grando dotted down early in the half, and Bourdon Sansus completed her brace just before the hour mark, dragging the score back to 29-21 and reigniting home hopes. However, England's composure under pressure proved decisive. Harrison slotted a penalty and then converted Breach's second try—a clinical finish in the 64th minute—to re-establish a two-score buffer.
The contest's definitive moment arrived when French replacement scrum-half Alexandra Chambon was sin-binned for a high tackle, leaving Les Bleues a player down. England immediately exploited the numerical advantage, with hooker Amy Cokayne crashing over from close range in the 78th minute. Though replacement prop Emilie Bernadou grabbed a consolation try for France in added time, the outcome was already settled.
Zoe Harrison's 15-point haul from the tee—conversions and a penalty—was instrumental, with two of her conversions struck from near the touchline. Kildunne and Breach each finished with two tries, underlining the attacking depth that has become England's hallmark.
This eighth straight title surpasses any run in Women's Six Nations history and edges England closer to the all-time international rugby winning streak records. Their last defeat remains a distant memory, and the team shows no signs of relenting. For France, the narrow margins and the late yellow card will sting, but their performance demonstrated that the gap to England is closing.
The result prompts broader reflection on the competitiveness of the tournament. While England's quality is undisputed, the growth of women's rugby in other nations is evident in the increasingly robust challenges they face. The Red Roses' ability to answer every French surge on Sunday speaks volumes about their mentality and conditioning.
As the dust settles in Bordeaux, England's players will celebrate another chapter of history, but the wider context of their 38-match streak—which includes victories over every major nation—will fuel conversations about what it means for the global game. For now, John Mitchell's side can bask in the glory of a record-extending triumph that once again showcased their ruthless efficiency and collective belief.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.