Thank you for joining me for what delivered to be one of the best games so far in the tournament. It was a classic Le Crunch battle with France rattling England, who managed to stick it out to continue their winning run.

England will next play South Africa on 23 October, which we will bring you all the live action for, and France take on Fiji on the 22nd.

If you missed any of the action from today's match have a read of Becky Grey's report here.

So I am confused by all the maths with the tables, we thought we had it down with the QF spots worked out but the Rugby World Cup Twitter account say England have their last eight spot!

Maths is not my forte but World Rugby have reportedly confirmed that the Red Roses are quarter-finalists!

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England head coach Simon Middleton told ITV: "First and foremost, hats off to France. We had them under a lot of pressure in that match... immensely proud of the team. there was definitely a bit missing from our finishing. They are so never say die and some dogged...

"It turned into an absolute arm wrestle. We showed great composure at the end, we won the kicking battle for territory and we ran the game down in the last five to ten minutes.

"We will have a few days off for a start. They will be able to put their feet up a bit... There are some players who deserve some game time."

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It is worth noting France almost beat England with two of their stars missing. Laure Sansus and Romane Ménager both went off injured in the first half, there is a lot more to come from this French side - particularly if the two players are available.

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While the win came with England holding on for dear life it is another victory for the Red Roses. They extend their record winning streak with 27 on the bounce. Yes they were rattled but they still taste success. It will be interesting to hear from head coach Simon Middleton.

Ugo Monye
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

England need to improve the clarity of their thinking and decision making, 10m or 20m out. The win was good, the performance wasn't. If England play like that again in three weeks, they could be going home without the trophy.

England captain Sarah Hunter told ITV: "We know the encounters between us and France, they come down to tight scores. Tonight was no different, some very good sides... I hope it was a great showcase for women's rugby.

"It shows the emotion of what it means for everyone out there. games can get heated at times.

"It's very special but tonight was all about the team and getting the win over France, that is as much to me as the record. Rocky is a legend of the game and to be held in the esteem as her [is amazing]."

Katy Daley-Mclean
England's 2014 World Cup-winning captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

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I think this could be the making of this England side. They needed to be tested and that was a thorough examination. They will use it to work out the kinks and flaws to improve.

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France must be so frustrated their old rivals get the win over them once again. But they can take heart, and a losing bonus point, from that performance - it was the best France have looked in a very long time.

It is a wake up call for England who are used to breezing to huge wins. France preventing them from scoring, with Emily Scarratt the only scorer for England, means the Red Roses have not secured their quarter-final spot yet.

I am going to get my breath back now, wow. What a contest. And think, we could have it all over again in the semi-final.

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The Red Roses hold on, just. Their winning run continues but France were arguably the better team in that one!

Zoe Harrison kicks to the corner and ahead of the line-out France make another change with Gabrielle Vernier off for Lina Queyroi.

England are on the driving maul, France have done well defending it so far but they are making metres. Leanne Infante comes away with it and they are running through the phases, and running down the clock. The France defence is still impeccable, they have definitely staked their claim for the trophy in this performance.

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The nerves are real for both sides but France most definitely have momentum here. England come away with the ball from the scrum and my heart is beating out of my chest, what a contest!

The kicking game is back in play Zoe Harrison is the first to blink and runs into contact. England have the advantage and they will be keen to run down the clock here. Harrison kicks away but we come back for the advantage. Breathe out for now!

Zoe Harrison clears the lines and boos ring around the stadium as the crowd believe a French player was obstructed as the kicking game came into play. We play on.

Emily Scarratt loses the ball in contact and France come away with it, they have the advantage and we come back to it after a loose French ball. This is so tense. Will England lose their winning streak?

Katy Daley-Mclean
England's 2014 World Cup-winning captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

These tactics are just so unimaginative for me. England need to change the picture - throw a pass, chip in behind, make use of the variety of threats in that backline.

Ugo Monye
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

You can feel how nervous both teams are. England and France have both stripped back their tactics to something safety-first. There is a lot more boot in the game, with both teams attempting to put pressure on the opposition.

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The kicking game is in play, England are the first to run it and Emily Scarratt's pass to Helena Rowland isn't clean.

Before the France scrum they make a change with Marjorie Mayans off for Safi N’Diaye. France wins the scrum and here come the tempers once more! Hannah Botterman gets amongst it and Caroline Drouin kicks to the corner. And ahead of their next attack Clara Joyeux is off for Assia Khalfaoui.

France knock the ball on though! England are celebrating like crazy, this is how close this match is.

Is anyone else nervous? This game could go either way!

France are with possession and they are finding it difficult to puncture a way through. Caroline Drouin kicks away and it goes straight out, an England line-out to come. Madoussou Fall steals it though, the first England have lost.

The Red Roses have it back though, this is breathless!

And suddenly France are right back in this on the scoreboard, they have never been out of the match with that stunning defence but they really needed those points.

Leanne Infante is receiving treatment after charging down a kick but it looks as though she is remaining on the pitch. England have an attacking position but before the line-out Cath O'Donnell and Maud Muir is on. The Red Roses needed to retain possession but they have again given the ball away at the breakdown, French scrum to come.

Katy Daley-Mclean
England's 2014 World Cup-winning captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

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That is a delicious chip ahead from Caroline Drouin and what a line from Joanna Grisez!

The wing took on four tackler before offloading for a fine score.