Women's Six Nations: Red Roses claim triple Grand Slam with 42-21 victory over 14-player France
27 April 2024, 10:52 | Updated: 27 April 2024, 18:52
The Red Roses secured their third Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam in succession with a 42-21 victory over 14-player France in Bordeaux.
It was a breathless first 40 minutes of action as the Red Roses had the bonus point wrapped up before the break, tries from Maud Mauir, Alex Matthews, Meg Jones, Marlie Packer and Amy Cokayne, plus perfection from the boot of Holly Aitchison, giving them 35 points.
France hit back through converted efforts from Gabrielle Vernier and Marine Menager but went in 35-14 down at half-time.
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The hosts were forced to play the majority of the second half a player down after Assia Khalfaoui was given a red card for a dangerous tackle but they did not relent, Menager going over for her second.
However Matthews' second stunted any progress they made, securing the 42-21 win for England.
The victory secures a third Grand Slam in succession for the Red Roses and their sixth Six Nations win in a row, keeping France searching for their first victory over the old foe since 2018.
First half blitz helps England onto Six Nations success
The Red Roses were ready to play with intensity right from the word go and were rewarded within the first five minutes, Muir powering over from short range from the line out and Holly Aitchison converting for a 7-0 lead.
As the home outfit threw chances away, England's organisation put them on top once again and this time it was Matthews who went over from the rolling maul, the conversion giving them a 14-0 lead within the first 15 minutes.
France then finally found a way through after putting together the phases, Vernier running the sweetest of lines and Queyroi converting to bring the score to 14-7.
Out of nowhere, Jones then hit back for England poaching possession via an interception to dive over in the corner but only minutes later Menager went down the other end of the field, bringing the score to 21-14 with just over 10 minutes remaining of the first 40.
Packer was then rewarded a controversial try as she burrowed over, the crowd not enjoying what they suspected was an effort grounded short of the line giving the Red Roses a 28-14 lead and the bonus point before the break.
It then got worse for France as Cokayne went over from the driving maul for her side's fifth try, Aitchison kicking the conversion once again for a 35-14 advantage at half-time.
Drama then ensued just four minutes into the second half as Khalfaoui was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Morwenna Talling, the bunker review upgrading it to a red card for a high-degree of danger.
A wrestle for momentum then ensued as emotions ran high, France making unforced errors as they searched for more points, their biggest opportunity as they put the phases together right on England's line coming to an abrupt end with a knock on.
They finally made their breakthrough on the 70th minute as Menager went over for her second but it took only a couple minutes for the Red Roses to stunt the celebration as Matthews went over once again to bring the score to 42-21, the celebrations then ensuing as Aitchison kicked the ball into touch and confirmed the Red Roses' hat-trick of Grand Slams.
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(c) Sky Sports 2024: Women's Six Nations: Red Roses claim triple Grand Slam with 42-21 victory over 14-player France
