Summary

  • England clinch Women's Six Nations Grand Slam and seventh successive title in nerve-racking finale

  • Captain Zoe Aldcroft and Abby Dow score crucial tries as France fight back in second half

  • England scored five tries in entertaining first half

  • England have not lost in Six Nations since defeat by France in 2018

  1. Champions!published at 19:08 British Summer Time

    England were pushed. They answered. They host the World Cup later this summer and will have to do the same all again...

    See you there!

    Media caption,

    England survive France comeback to win Grand Slam by a single point

  2. Relief and happinesspublished at 19:01 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    England were heavy favourites and have won the Six Nations.

    Sure, they were made to work for it and have more questions than answers but they are coming home with the medals.

    Women's Six Nations standings
  3. Postpublished at 18:59 British Summer Time

    England celebrateImage source, PA Media

    Goodness me, what a Test match.

  4. 'I didn't enjoy that'published at 18:59 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    England prop Hannah Botterman on BBC Two: "I didn't enjoy that. I am just glad we did it.

    "We have to believe in ourselves and believe that we are good enough to produce what we need to produce. There are definitely some things to work on.

    "We knew they would put us under pressure at points and they did some things differently from recent games and caught us out a couple of times."

  5. 'We got it done'published at 18:59 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    England coach John Mitchell: "That was a bit nervy. Defence wins titles and that wasn't great from us but our start was pretty good.

    "France made lots of pick and goes and we were poor in edge defence.

    "I would rather have this sort of feedback, any day of the week. We got it done, we completed a goal that hasn't been done in the modern era - four Grand Slams in a row - and now we can have a celebration and get ready for a World Cup.

    "The French get energy from success but I knew that we would have to win the game three or four times."

  6. 'That was a Test match'published at 18:57 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    England centre Megan Jones: "That was a Test match! Both sides going at each other for the full 80 minutes. I hope everyone enjoyed it.

    "We have to enjoy tonight and we have a huge couple of weeks. The World Cup is down the line and we'll solve that problem when we come to it."

  7. 'On the plane'...published at 18:53 British Summer Time

    Maggie Alphonsi
    2014 England World Cup winner on BBC Two

    England had players who had to step up, not just today but throughout the tournament. There are some selection headaches out there but there are some players who have to earn the right to get on the plane - oh, not on the plane but in the World Cup squad...

  8. How England won itpublished at 18:51 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    Media caption,

    England get over the line to win Grand Slam

  9. Postpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time

    Zoe Aldcroft drops the base of the trophy! No harm done and she can hold it aloft.

    Here comes the fireworks and tickertape!

    England lift the trophyImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    Brian Moore
    Former England hooker on BBC Two

    When you talk about standards don't understimate the difficulty of keeping going when you are firm favourites. You have to set your own standards. England's defence started to weaken and they had problems.

  11. Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time

    A stage has been rapidly constructed on halfway and here come England to collect their medals!

  12. 'France back themselves'published at 18:45 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    Maggie Alphonsi
    2014 England World Cup winner on BBC Two

    England are learning how to win in different ways. France score so many tries in the last 20 minutes because they back themselves. But they have to not let errors come in.

  13. Postpublished at 18:45 British Summer Time

    France full-back Morgane Bourgeois scored a try and kicked all six conversions. What a player, what a tournament!

    She is in tears on the ptch.

  14. 'Six Nations needed that'published at 18:43 British Summer Time

    Maggie Alphonsi
    2014 England World Cup winner on BBC Two

    The Six Nations needed that finish. It was a proper Test match and England should be proud the way they dug deep to win. They had to grind it out and you want that test before a World Cup.

  15. Postpublished at 18:42 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    Brian Moore
    Former England hooker on BBC Two

    Would England have got away with that playing New Zealand? That's the question they have to ask.

  16. Postpublished at 18:42 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    Simon Middleton
    Former England women head coach on BBC Two

    It was similar to two years ago. France gave it everything they had - what a game!

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:42 British Summer Time

    #bbcrugby, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    Mitchell has shown his limits here. Could easily be beaten at our own World Cup in the summer, and the RFU will only have themselves to blame

    Charlie

  18. 'We battled it out'published at 18:41 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    England captain Zoe Aldcroft to BBC Sport: "I am so proud of all of the girls' effort, we battled it out today. France came at us so all credit to us for holding on.

    "When we build pressure we need to keep our foot on the throttle. We will have a couple of drinks after this and enjoy tonight!"

  19. Postpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time

    Brian Moore
    Former England hooker on BBC Two

    It is about winning and England got over the line. What they did not do is defend well enough at the breakdown. France played high risk rugby and it very nearly paid off.

  20. Postpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time

    FT: England 43-42 France

    England were 31-7 up. They were 38-21 up. And in the end they squeaked over the line.