England’s slim hopes of a first Six Nations title since 2012 came to an abrupt end against France, who squeezed the life out of the world champions to record their second successive victory at Twickenham.
A smothering pack, coupled with the artistry of the French half-backs Yanna Rivoalen and Audrey Abadie, denied England’s youthful side what threatened to be an unlikely comeback when Harriet Millar-Mills forced her way over with eight minutes to go. For France, the full-back Jessy Trémoulière kicked 11 points and scored her side’s second try after the captain Gaëlle Mignot had gone over in the first half, while Hannah Gallagher also touched down for England. But, unlike their male counterparts, there was no late drama; instead France monopolised the ball in the closing stages to deny Rochelle Clark, who, upon becoming England’s joint most capped player, put in a lung-busting shift in the front row, victory on her 100th appearance.
“It was really tough, we’re disappointed we didn’t quite play as well as we perhaps should have. We didn’t quite front up enough,” said Clark. “It’s disappointing to lose by six points but full credit to France, they have a really good goalkicker. This year has already been a building year, it has been tough, we’ve missed the girls who have been away but it’s all building towards the next World Cup which is the ultimate goal.”
France began by flexing their muscle up front and were awarded their first penalty after three minutes, Trémoulière converting for an early advantage and the opening try was scored by Mignot, after an overwhelming forward drive down the left. Trémoulière added a tricky conversion. A couple of galloping runs, first from the full-back Fiona Pocock and then from the 21-year-old lock Abbie Scott, rejuvenated the home ranks however, not least when England’s momentum was illegally stalled by France’s outside-centre Shannon Izar, who was promptly shown a yellow card.
Trémoulière extended France’s lead five minutes before the interval, expertly slotting a penalty from range after Clark was pinged for not releasing but England responded from the tee through Amber Reed. After the break, Trémoulière extended France’s advantage to 13 with another finely struck penalty before Pocock and Katy Mclean dragged England to their opponents’ 22, only for the door to be slammed shut again. Gallagher flung it open, however, with just over 20 minutes to go, steam-rollering over in the right corner after a fine pass from Vicky Fleetwood, Reed falling short with the conversion. France’s response was swift and the replacement Caroline Boujard found Trémoulière, who burst over on the right. Millar-Mills, the replacement flanker, gave England hope but France comfortably kept them at bay to ensure that they will defend their title unless Ireland can triumph in Scotland on Sunday by at least 27 points.
