Summary

  • England win third successive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam

  • Red Roses have won six Women's Six Nations titles and 29 matches in a row

  • France reduced to 14 after prop Assia khalfaoui sent off in second half

  • Number eight Alex Matthews player of match after scoring two tries

  • England ran in five tries to secure 35-14 half-time lead in Bordeaux

  • 'Hostile' crowd of about 28,000 at Stade Chaban-Delmas

  1. Postpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    A general view of the inside of the stadium as players of England and France walk out of the tunnelImage source, Getty Images

    Here we go then.

    The tension is palpable and the fans are up for this one.

    Both sets of players have made their way to the field and we're all set.

    But first, it's time for the anthems...

  2. 'Kildunne glides past defenders'published at 16:41 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC One

    On Ellie Kildunne...

    As a full-back she is always in the back field, but it about how quick she transitions.

    She glides past defenders.

  3. 'It was nowhere near a smooth path'published at 16:39 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    Sadia Kabeya has made the England number six shirt her own during this Six Nations.

    Let's hear from her now about her journey to the highest level...

    Media caption,

    England's Sadia Kabeya on rugby's growth & inclusivity

  4. Weather watchpublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    The rain is lashing down in Bordeaux and the conditions are far from ideal for fast running rugby.

    But England say they want to let the handbrake off, so expect them to still throw the ball around.

  5. 'England are the best team in the world'published at 16:34 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    France Rugby

    France head coach Gaelle Mignot, speaking to the BBC ahead of kick-off: "England are the best team in the world at the moment, but France are prepared for today so it is going to be a great game.

    "The players are optimistic for today and they have worked hard so they can't wait to be on the field!"

  6. Watch: The last time they metpublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    So what happened the last time these two met?

    England claimed the Grand Slam in front of a record crowd at Twickenham on the final day of the 2023 Six Nations.

    The Red Roses opened up a big lead before France recovered in the second half, but the hosts were not to be denied.

    Time to refresh your memory of how that one unfolded...

    Media caption,

    Women's Six Nations: England defeat France to seal a Six Nations Grand Slam

  7. 'France will definitely challenge England'published at 16:28 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC One

    Coming to France is difficult.

    France are a team on the rise and the will definitely challenge this England side.

  8. 'It's something we will embrace'published at 16:26 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    England Rugby

    England's head coach John Mitchell, speaking to the BBC: "It has been a normal week for us and we had to get over the performance of last weekend.

    "We went through a good review and obviously this game brings up different challenges.

    "We also have the weather to adapt to as well.

    "We have been looking forward to this for a long time and we are ready for it - it's something we will embrace."

    On the challenges France pose: "They will come at us and they have a forward pack that hasn't been under pressure yet.

    "Territory today will decide where a lot of the pressure will come from."

  9. Postpublished at 16:25 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    Let's hear from the England boss now...

  10. 'The challenge does not get tougher'published at 16:23 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport

    A match away against France for a Grand Slam.

    Saturday in Bordeaux was the game John Mitchell earmarked when he took over as England head coach, even if the New Zealander does not admit it.

    The challenge does not get tougher to claim his first Women's Six Nations and England’s sixth successive title.

    Winning is non-negotiable when you are in charge of the Red Roses - a third consecutive Grand Slam is expected.

    Last year the stakes were also high when England welcomed France to Twickenham, in front of the largest women's rugby crowd in history, in Simon Middleton’s final game in charge.

    Read more here.

    John MitchellImage source, Getty Images
  11. 'If we starve them from the ball, they can't play'published at 16:20 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    Let's hear from the England skipper in full now...

    Media caption,

    England captain Marlie Packer explains how they'll approach their game against France.

  12. 'Foot on the throat'published at 16:16 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    BBC Sounds

    Speaking to Rugby Union Weekly, England captain Marlie Packer said: "The breakdown is an area we need to make sure we stay on top of. France have a dominant forward pack but we have to stick to our own game plan.

    "We want that mindset of being ruthless with the foot on the throat, we want to dominate the set-pieces. We know they like to take a quick tap and we have to stay on it from the first minute to the 80th minute.

    "If we come off it at any time they can turn on that French flair. We are not going to let them play and if we starve them of the ball they can’t play. If we are ruthless in how we go about our business the scoreboard takes care of itself."

  13. Key battlespublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    So where will the game be won or lost?

    From Lina Queyroi against Holly Aitchison to Emilie Boulard's head-to-head with Ellie Kildunne, we look at six key battles here.

    Lina Queyroi and Holly AitchisonImage source, Getty Images
  14. 'We want to silence the crowd'published at 16:10 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    Alex Matthews says England will "thrive" off the expected fierce atmosphere which will greet them in Bordeaux.

    The Red Roses have not lost in 28 Six Nations games since they were beaten by France in Grenoble in 2018.

    "We love being booed," said number eight Matthews. "I ran out for my 50th cap with the whole crowd booing and I didn't want it any other way.

    "We want to prove a point and silence the crowd early, which the girls will thrive off."

    Read more here.

    Alex MatthewsImage source, Getty Images
  15. Line-upspublished at 16:07 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    France: Boulard; Grisez, Konde, Vernier, M Menager; Queyroi, Bourdon Sansus; Deshaye, Sochat, Khalfaoui, Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Hermet, R Menager.

    Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Joyeux, Feleu, Gros, Chambon, Ciofani, Jacquet.

    England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Kabeya, M Packer (capt), Matthews.

    Replacements: Powell, Carson, Clifford, Ward, Feaunati, L Packer, Scarratt, Gregson.

    Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)

  16. Team newspublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    England make one change to the side which thumped Ireland as hooker Amy Cokayne returns to the starting line-up from suspension to replace the injured Lark Atkin-Davies

    France, meanwhile, make four changes to their starting XV which defeated Wales 40-0 in Cardiff, including the return of former captain Gaelle Hermet at flanker and lock Madoussou Fall.

  17. Someone's '0' has to gopublished at 16:00 British Summer Time 27 April

    France v England (16:45 BST)

    France are four from four...

    France womenImage source, Getty Images

    England are four from four...

    Jess BreachImage source, Getty Images

    The top two are both chasing the Grand Slam, but who will come out on top in Bordeaux?

    Kick off is at 16:45 BST...