Women's Six Nations 2022: England win fourth consecutive title and Grand Slam

England won their fourth consecutive Women's Six Nations title with a Grand Slam victory in France.

England were initially startled in front of a sellout crowd as Romane Menager of France scored the first goal.

Their maul was a formidable weapon with two Sarah Bern and one Abbie Ward.

The vocal fans were hoping for a try by Annaelle Deshayes in the 66th minute, but England held on for their 23rd win in a row.

They have won 10 in a row against France, equaling the best run between 1992-97, when England was in the World Cup.

England are firm favorites to win the World Cup in New Zealand after their victory over the Black Ferns.

England regroup as atmosphere boils over

The atmosphere at the sold-out Stade Jean Dauger was great on Saturday, even after the French front pages promised that things would boil over in Bayonne.

The crowd booed England before they headed back down the tunnel as the chants of "Allez Les Bleues" started.

England stated their intention to silence the crowd. There was an eruption of noise as the knock-on gave France a 5m scrum when the message did not reach the resident brass band.

Number eight Menager was the one who put England behind, something they had not yet experienced.

England were rattled for the first time since the Six Nations final. The superstars of the Red Roses settled their nerves as they saw a solid carry from Poppy Cleall.

The rolling maul, shaped by forwards coach Louis Deacon, is England's greatest strength and they struggled up front against France last year.

The pack of white shirts rumbled over the tryline for the first score.

The second try was a mirror image of the first as Harrison kicked to the other corner and Ward went over.

France wouldn't allow the Red Roses to keep hold of the momentum once they earned it.

As the crowd clapped to the beat of a drum, Lydia Thompson dropped a high ball into touch, and the intensity grew as the world player of the year stole the line-out to take all the tension out of the air.

Thompson made a great run that got England back into France's 22, and a penalty kicked to the corner gave the maul a second try, as Bern claimed a second.

England came dangerously close to a yellow card and a penalty try as the blue maul bit back, but Infante pounced on a loose ball and Harrison cleared their lines.

The relief did not last long and England's defence scrambled until the clock stopped and they took the chance to regroup at half-time.

England stamp out French sparks

Before the match of their excitement at testing themselves, England spoke.

The 10th win in a row may show they have the upper hand over France, unless the French union invests more in their side.

Canada will take third spot in the world rankings after beating England 51-12 in November.

There is still time for France to regroup before the World Cup, with several second-half revivals a promising sign.

Harrison was shown a yellow in the second half for a deliberate knock-on and the crowd was angry.

England ended the French attack once again as they won a scrum penalty and were able to survive the 10 minutes down to 14 players.

The France centre was sent to the sin-bin for the same offence after Harrison returned to the field.

Captain Emily Scarratt added to her three earlier conversions by kicking a penalty to maintain a 100% record from the tee.

France would not be down as replacement wing Emilie Boulard made an impressive break, scything through defenders and into England's 22 before Scarratt galloped across the field to bring her to the floor.

France were improved by their numerical disadvantage and finally managed to put their own maul to work and score a try.

The hosts couldn't give their fans what they wanted. Scarratt kicked the ball into touch and then pumped her fist as Hunt jumped into her arms.

England remained on the pitch and created their own atmosphere, forcing the coaching staff to dance with the trophy on their head. A reward for another great performance.

More to come.

Line-ups

Thompson, Scarratt, Aitchison, Breach, Harrison, Infante, Cornborough, Davies, Bern, Ward, Matthews, Packer, Cleall were all from England.

Cokayne, Galligan, Beckett, Kabeya, Hunt, Kildunne are replacements.

R Menager is the leader of France.

Replacements: Boulard, Brosseau, Annery, Gros, and Touye.