France 28-43 England: Red Roses clinch record eighth Women's Six Nations title in a row with Bordeaux Grand Slam
Tries from Sarah Bern, Ellie Kildunne (two), Jess Breach (two), Amy Cokayne, plus the superb kicking of Zoe Harrison (five conversions, one penalty) saw England's Red Roses to Women's Six Nations Grand Slam win over France in Bordeaux; Title is England's record-extending eighth in a row
Sunday 17 May 2026 18:59, UK
England's Red Roses secured a record-extending eighth Women's Six Nations title in a row, performing brilliantly to beat France 43-28 in Sunday's Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux.
France enjoyed the better of the play in the first half, hitting the front through scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus, but England rattled back to improbably score four tries before half-time through prop Sarah Bern, full-back Ellie Kildunne (two) and wing Jess Breach.
The hosts responded through further tries via wing Anais Grando and Bourdon Sansus to narrow the score to 29-21, only for the Red Roses to strike again when they needed to most through Breach again.
England fly-half Zoe Harrison also kicked magnificently well off the tee, adding five conversions and a penalty - two from the touchline.
Any further French response was then quelled when replacement scrum-half Alexandra Chambon was sin-binned for a high tackle, with England scoring once more through hooker Amy Cokayne and left to celebrate an astonishing 38th Test victory in succession.
- Women's Six Nations as it happened: France 28-43 Red Roses
- Women's Six Nations 2026: Results
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France started the contest fully on top, with England struggling to gain a touch on the ball even, but the hosts couldn't add points for their impressive start.
Instead, France's opening try bizarrely came from England's opening attack into the 22 in the 14th minute - lock Madoussou Fall Raclot stripping back possession and the hosts counter-attacking for a try of supreme quality.
Wing Lea Murie did the damage in beating three defenders amongst a series of offloads which allowed Bourdon Sansus to run in.
Six minutes later France had a glorious chance to add to their lead after full-back Pauline Barrat kicked a wonderful 50:22, but - not for the first time in the contest - possession was lost at an attacking lineout.
France were made to pay just two minutes later when England tighthead Bern crashed over after a series of sustained close-range carries in which England displayed their muscle.
Murie skinned Breach in the next major chance only for hooker Cokayne to intercept the ball, and though Kildunne soon made a poor clearance from her own 22, another France lineout went awry.
Just shy of the half-hour mark the Red Roses had their second try out of nothing as a loose ball in midfield was kicked on twice by centre Meg Jones, allowing Kildunne to show her pace and gather the ball to ground under the posts against the run of play.
Siobhan Soqueta broke into the 22 for France in response, but Cokayne pinched another big turnover, while an England scrum penalty near the end of the half presented the visitors a big chance.
Though their maul was halted, England shipped play wide where Breach was in space and did well to finish in the corner.
A marvellous Zoe Harrison conversion saw the Red Roses into a healthy 21-7 lead, and they stretched that to a scarcely believable 26-7 in the final play of the half as Helena Rowland found Kildunne with a lovely long pass.
Less than two minutes into the second half England increased their lead even further through the boot of Harrison, as she slotted a penalty after Fall Raclot was pinged for a tackle off the ball.
A superb carry from loosehead Ambre Mwayembe preceded all out French attack in the England 22, but nothing came from it as off a central scrum France worked the ball out to Grando in space, who knocked on with the try-line begging.
France did finally make their pressure count in the 54th minute when Grando scored out wide as the hosts upped their pace in the carry - Carla Arbez converting well to narrow the deficit further.
Centre Aubane Rousset almost got over for France soon after but was stopped just short, only for the hosts to make that territory count through Bourdon Sansus, who sniped off a scrum to score by the posts - just five minutes after Grando's try - narrowing the gap to eight points.
Just as the hosts started to believe, however, England clicked into gear at the other end: Breach searing in down the right at stunning pace to score in the corner, and Harrison delivering another wonderful touchline conversion.
The final nail in the coffin then came as France were reduced to 14 players for the remainder when replacement scrum-half Alexandra Chambon was sin-binned for a high tackle.
A couple of penalty decisions then went the way of England when they might not have to the ire of the home crowd, with Cokayne scoring after a driving maul to ensure success despite France having the very final say with a Rose Bernadou try.
Kildunne proud of England's 'history makers' - still room to grow
Player of the match - Ellie Kildunne - speaking to BBC:
"It's hard to sum up the emotions. It's never been done before [five Grand Slams]. To be part of a team that makes history again is something I'm very proud of.
"We knew it wouldn't be easy today, we knew what was coming, but I'm so proud of the girls. Grand Slam baby!
"We've had to show how adaptable we are as a team. I don't think there has ever been a time where so many people have been mixing and matching, but it shows the depth in English rugby and the culture of our team to bring new people in.
"We've won a Grand Slam but there is still so much room to grow. That is exciting."
Emotions ride high for Red Roses head Mitchell
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell speaking to BBC:
"That was a great performance today. We were tough, and we had to endure a lot at the start. The way we've evolved our game is incredible. When we create connections out the back, we're pretty unstoppable.
"It was great to win a World Cup at home, but what we've navigated in this tournament - the youth and energy coming through, while our mates are at home becoming mums or going through rehab - these girls are just so brave, unbelievable, and driven. They are courageous all the time.
"This has been the hardest Six Nations, which is why I've been so emotional. I sat in my room for quite a while today trying to work through it ahead of what was our biggest test so far. But I've got to take my hat off to the players and the coaching staff.
"They have been awesome in navigating so much change, and that has made us a better coaching unit because we've had to be honest, clear, and simple about how we go about things."
France captain Feleu: 'England showed why they're world champions'
France captain - Manaé Feleu - speaking to BBC:
"The disappointment is as huge as the effort we put in every day to play these kind of games. There is a lot of disappointment.
"Small mistakes [cost us]. With small mistakes, England can do big things. We gave them what they needed to score after our first try, that is on us.
"I'm proud of the girls and of the group. We have shown a difficult brand of rugby this tournament. We've got a lot to build on still.
"I want to congratulate England. They are world champions and they showed that today on the field."
Women's Six Nations final-day results: Italy win in Cardiff as Ireland hammer Scotland
Sunday May 17
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