England Women defeat France to defend Women's Six Nations title

April 24, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

England secured a third consecutive Women’s Six Nations title as Simon Middleton’s side held off a second-half France fightback to triumph 10-6 at the Twickenham Stoop.

A first-half try from Poppy Cleall, converted by Emily Scarratt, on the cusp of half-time proved to be enough for the Red Roses to seal an eighth straight win over Les Bleues.

A couple of penalties from Caroline Drouin piled the pressure on the defending champions after the interval as France attempted to regain the crown they last clinched in 2018.

But a late penalty from Scarratt, who had missed a couple of penalties in the first half, ensured England got over the line again and confirmed a hat-trick of Championship titles.

In a low-scoring match, defence was king and no player embodied England’s resilience when under pressure better than Zoe Aldcroft - the deserved Women's Six Nations Player of the Match.

Aldcroft put her body on the line time and time again as the hosts came under intense pressure from France in the second half, a fact that was hammered home by her individual statistics.

The 24-year-old finished the 80 punishing minutes with 15 tackles to her name - more than any other player on her team and the second-most on the field behind France’s Rose Bernadou.

She also made a remarkable 14 carries for 46 metres at The Stoop, showing her incredible engine and wisdom beyond her age as she helped her team clinch the Championship title.