England Clinch Eighth Straight Women's Six Nations Title in Bordeaux
England combined composure and precision to defeat France before a record crowd, securing their eighth consecutive Women's Six Nations championship at Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux.
The visitors appeared to have the match under control when Zoe Harrison's penalty early in the second half extended their lead to 29-7. However, France, who opened the scoring, mounted a spirited comeback that threatened to overturn the result.
Tries from Anais Grando and Pauline Bourdon Sansus narrowed England's lead to eight points amid rising noise from the home supporters. Nevertheless, a well-executed try by Jess Breach, the sin-binning of France's replacement scrum-half Alexandra Chambon, and strong contributions from England's substitutes quelled the French resurgence.
Amy Cokayne sealed the victory with a try in the 76th minute, celebrating by throwing the ball into the stands, which elicited jeers from the crowd.
England's performance extended their own record of seven consecutive titles (2006-2012) to eight, achieving five consecutive Grand Slams and 38 successive Test wins.
France set a new home Women's Six Nations attendance record with 35,062 spectators, surpassing the previous figure of 28,000 at this fixture in 2024.
While the match did not replicate the drama of the men's Six Nations encounter between these nations two months prior, it provided a compelling and high-quality conclusion to a tournament that has attracted unprecedented attention and attendance.
France Start Strong Before England Assert Control
France have shown significant progress over the past six weeks, and their confidence to end a 17-match losing streak against England was evident in the passionate anthem rendition and the tears of number eight Lea Campon as it concluded.
The hosts aggressively entered England's 22-meter area within the first two minutes, with forwards Axelle Berthoumieu and Madoussou Fall Raclot overpowering defenders.
England's Amy Cokayne executed a courageous turnover near her own posts to repel the attack, but France's early pressure persisted.
After gaining momentum at the scrum, England seemed to take control, but France regained possession from MacKenzie Carson deep in their half and launched a remarkable coast-to-coast try.
Wing Lea Murie evaded Sadia Kabeya and Lucy Packer before passing inside to Campon, who released scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus—the sole remaining player from France's last victory over England in 2018—to score.
Despite missing several key players from their Rugby World Cup-winning squad in September, England demonstrated squad depth and unity.
Prop Sarah Bern powered over to equalize at 20 minutes, followed by Meg Jones kicking a loose ball forward for Ellie Kildunne to extend the lead on the half-hour mark.
Five minutes later, Jess Breach’s quick acceleration took her to the corner, and with time running out in the half, Helena Rowland’s long pass enabled Kildunne to score her second try after strong support from Maddie Feaunati and Abi Burton.
Zoe Harrison’s reliable kicking contributed to England’s 26-7 halftime lead, which was somewhat flattering given the flow of play.
England acknowledged the need to maintain focus. One minute into the second half, Harrison opted for a penalty kick close to the French posts, extending England’s lead beyond three scores.
They required this cushion as France mounted a comeback.
France’s opening try of the second half, scored by Bourdon Sansus, was among the tournament’s finest, as she sprinted from one end of the pitch to the other.
France surged back with Grando scoring in the corner after England’s defense was drawn in, followed by Bourdon Sansus darting off the back of a scrum and weaving between defenders Packer and Harrison to score.
Trailing by eight points but with momentum and over 20 minutes remaining, France’s resurgence posed a significant threat.
However, England responded with a well-executed wrap-around move off first-phase ball that created space for Breach to sprint away and score, dampening the stadium’s atmosphere.
France continued to fight, with heavy tackles impacting Kildunne and Claudia MacDonald Moloney. The referee ruled that Chambon committed a high tackle in the latter incident, resulting in her sin-binning and reducing France to 14 players for the remainder of the match.
England, who had been politely welcomed over the tannoy before kickoff, received a less friendly reception from the crowd as teenage substitute Demelza Short exchanged verbal comments with French players, and Cokayne’s pointed celebration drew further ire.
Late in the match, Rose Bernadou scored for France, turning the home crowd’s jeers into cheers, but England had already secured their victory through resilience and squad depth.
Match Details
France: Barrat; Grando, Rousset, T Feleu, Murie; Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Mwayembe, Lazarko, Khalfaoui, Soqueta, Fall Raclot, Berthoumieu, M Feleu (c), Chambon
Replacements: Riffonneau, Brousseau, Bernadou, Zago, Correa, Escudero, Chambon, Queyroi
England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Ives Campion, Burns, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati.
Replacements: Powell, Crake, Muir, Short, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison, Sing.
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) and Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Scorers
France Tries: Bourdon Sansus (2), Grando, Bourdon
Conversions: Arbez (4)
England Tries: Bern, Kildunne (2), Breach (2), Cokayne
Conversions: Harrison (5)
Penalties: Harrison
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