England vs France rugby LIVE: Result and reaction as England win Women’s Six Nations grand slam decider

England 38-33 France: A world-record crowd of more than 58,000 were at Twickenham to see England seal another Women’s Six Nations grand slam

(Action Images via Reuters)

England beat a spirited France 38-33 to win their fifth straight Women’s Six Nations title with a grand slam in front of a world-record crowd at Twickenham to give coach Simon Middleton a fitting farewell.

With 58,498 fans in attendance, England struggled with nerves at first before pulling away from fellow unbeaten side France to go into the break with a commanding 33-0 lead.

Abby Dow scored England’s first try and although Helena Rowland missed the conversion, she made no mistake when captain Marlie Packer and Alex Matthews powered over. France were also temporarily down to 14 players when Jessy Tremouliere was sent to the sin bin, which also welcomed Rose Bernadou later in the half, helping England to score from a penalty try before Zoe Aldcroft also went over.

But England took their foot off the gas in the second half and France got on the board when Emilie Boulard scored the opening try before Gabrielle Vernier went through the English defence for a second. Both teams then scored from rolling mauls to make it 38-21 to England with 65 minutes on the clock. With five minutes left, France rallied with two more tries from Emeline Gros and Cyrielle Banet, but Tremouliere missed the first conversion as England held on for another grand slam.

Relive England’s historic win over France in the Women’s Six Nations, below

England vs France LIVE: Updates from Women’s Six Nations decider

• England beat France 38-33 at Twickenham in Women’s Six Nations grand slam decider
• A world record crowd for women’s rugby of more than 58,000 people watch the Twickenham triumph
• FULL-TIME! England 38-33 France
• 80’ - TRY! Banet crosses for second of France’s late consolation tries (ENG 38-33 FRA)
• 66’ - TRY! Escudero touches down from the back of a drive (ENG 38-21 FRA)
• 60’ - TRY! Davies dots down from an unstoppable drive (ENG 38-14 FRA)
• 55’ - TRY! Vernier snipes over from the base of a ruck after great dummy (ENG 33-14 FRA)
• 49’ - TRY! France finally score as Boulard barrels over out wide (ENG 33-7 FRA)
• 40’ - TRY! Aldcroft finishes a neat team move for the fifth try (ENG 33-0 FRA)
• 37’ - PENALTY TRY! Bernadou tackles from an offside position on the line (ENG 26-0 FRA)
• 32’ - TRY! Dominant England scrum ends with Matthews touching down (ENG 19-0 FRA)Eng
• 26’ - TRY! Sublime Heard offload allows Packer to power across the line (ENG 12-0 FRA)
• 17’ - TRY! Dow shows incredible pace to blaze over from England’s first attack (ENG 5-0 FRA)

[29 April 2023 14:31 · Mike Jones]

England 33-14 France

59 mins: England haven’t scored a point in the second half yet. Their lead should be enough for them to see out the game but another quick try from the French will start to get the crowd nervous.

England maintain possession and win a penalty before kicking the ball out to gain field position right outside the France try line.

[29 April 2023 14:29 · Mike Jones]

England 33-14 France (Tremouliere, 56)

Jessy Tremouliere’s conversion means she’s just broken the French record and is now their all time leading points scorer. That’s a nice landmark to hit in her final match.

Is the comeback on for France?

[29 April 2023 14:28 · Mike Jones]

TRY! England 33-12 France (Vernier, 56’)

56 mins: Oh what a dummy and run from Gabrielle Vernier!

A miscued kick across the field form Jessy Tremouliere sees Axelle Berthoumie tackled right on the touchline. Vernier picks up the ball, dummies a pass and steps inside of Lucy Packer to get behind the England line.

It’s a simple run over the line and France have a second try.

[29 April 2023 14:24 · Mike Jones]

England 33-7 France

53 mins: Another try for France would make things interesting here. They work the ball over to the far side but Axelle Berthoumie can’t find a way through.

France switch it back and try to drag England to the right. The visitors are really pressing their advantage here but England are holding firm.

[29 April 2023 14:20 · Mike Jones]

England 33-7 France (Tremouliere, conv)

50 mins: A tricky angle for the conversion is no problem for France’s kicker Jessy Tremouliere who plants it between the uprights to earn a couple more for the visitors.

[29 April 2023 14:19 · Mike Jones]

TRY! England 33-5 France (Boulard, 49’)

49 mins: France get on the board! They move the ball quickly down the line and stretch England. Emilie Boulard collects the pass, cuts inside and lunges for the line.

[29 April 2023 14:17 · Mike Jones]

England 33-0 France

47 mins: France are back up to their starting contingent of 15 players as Rose Bernadou completes her time in the sin bin.

There’s a few mistakes slipping into England’s play. Marlie Packer is judged offside when she grabs Pauline Bourdon’s arm to stop her pass.

[29 April 2023 14:15 · Mike Jones]

England 33-0 France

45 mins: Just as England look to push into some decent field position Holly Aitchison knocks on and gives the ball back to France.

After winning a penalty from England holding up the scrum, Bourdon plays it quickly before passing down the line to Jessy Tremouliere.

A dink kick forward lands in the hands of Abby Dow and she drives it back into the French forward line.

[29 April 2023 14:11 · Mike Jones]

England 33-0 France

42 mins: Pauline Bourdon gets through England’s forward line with a darting run before winning a penalty which France take quickly.

Gabrielle Vernier brings the ball towards the uprights but the Red Roses turnover the ball on the edge of their try line once again.

England’s defence has been incredible today.

[29 April 2023 14:09 · Mike Jones]

Second half: England 33-0 France

Holly Aitchison gets the match back underway. Jessy Tremouliere is back on the field for France but the visitors are still down to 14 players as Rose Bernadou serves the rest of her time in the sin bin.