England win eighth successive Women’s Six Nations after powering to victory over France

Dominant,invincible, indefatigable. There are so many words to describe this England team. No matter what you throw at them, they win matches and lift trophies. The Red Roses have an almost untouchable air as, despite experiencing the worst injury and unavailability crisis this team has had for a decade, they swept aside every opponent in the Women’s Six Nations to seal their eighth consecutive title and fifth grand slam in a row.

With a legacy already secured thanks to their 2025 World Cup win, England set out in this Six Nations to build a dynasty. They have certainly laid the foundations – their unbeaten streak now stands at 38 games across all competitions. The latest win came with the dismantling of France in a cauldron-like atmosphere in Bordeaux. England become the first team to win the tournament immediately after claiming the World Cup.

The final last September put Ellie Kildunne’s name in lights and this win will surely produce the same outcome. Her two first-half tries set England on their way to victory and the Harlequins star always seems to come good in crunch matches for her team.

Mentions too must go to the hooker, Amy Cokayne, and the captain, Meg Jones, who seemed to be everywhere, despite being the only Red Rose who has played every minute of the tournament.

France will be bitterly disappointed. In the lead-up to the match, the star scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus said she had the same feeling she did back in 2018 in Grenoble, the last time France beat England. The No 9 had a fantastic game while Ambre Mwayembe and Madoussou Fall Raclot also impressed in a hugely physical encounter.

Jess Breach on her way to scoring England’s third try. Photograph: Catherine Steenkeste/Reuters

The France head coach, François Ratier, noted the importance of not allowing England to score early and get a hold of the match. That plan was executed perfectly. The visitors leaked penalties but France’s defence forced them to make the errors. The hosts’ own attack was also singing but was missing the final touch until the 14th minute when they scored a spectacular team try that broke the deadlock. Mwayembe ripped the ball from an England attack and via superb handling and quick thinking Bourdon Sansus was over.

The second part of Ratier’s plan was to “hit England where it hurt”, but they failed to land blows in the first 40 and so while the blue brick wall continued to be mightily impressive, it was the Red Roses who scored next through Sarah Bern.

Glorious chaos followed before something clicked into place for England. Their attack started to flow and France’s defence began to wane with the full-back Kildunne scoring twice and Jess Breach completing a brilliant finish in the corner.

England’s Zoe Harrison kicks a conversion. Photograph: Catherine Steenkeste/Reuters

A Zoe Harrison penalty began the second half. The fly-half’s impeccable kicking has been essential to this title win. The Saracens player has missed only two of 31 shots at the posts across five matches and her game management against France was commendable once again.

“She is very good,” Mitchell said. “Zoe’s mental state has changed since the World Cup and I like that mental state. I think the players enjoy her as well because she drives the game. She is very decisive.”

France gave everything to hit back, an effort that was rewarded with a fifth try in five games for the wing Anaïs Grando. Bourdon Sansus had her second but Breach also doubled her try tally to set up a tense final 10 minutes. What the win meant to England was summed up by the celebration of their final try by Cokayne, who threw the ball and yelled “Come on” at a jeering French crowd.

The France captain, Manaé Feleu, watched on and applauded as England lifted the trophy and she became emotional describing her disappointment at the loss: “I am really proud of the girls and I am really proud of the group, we still have a lot to work on. I want to congratulate England, they are world champions and there is a reason for that.”

For France this has been an impressive first tournament in charge for Ratier and this loss will not stop their journey.

The question continues to be: who can beat England? Their next opponents are Australia in the WXV series this September but Canada and New Zealand, who play them in the same month, are sterner tests. For Mitchell, it is the first step on the path to defending the World Cup in 2029: “In four years time we want to do the same thing [as we did in 2025].”