England hold off France to seal fourth straight Six Nations crown

England claimed their fourth successive Women's Six Nations title with a hard-fought 24-12 victory over France in the Grand Slam decider in front of a sell-out partisan crowd at the Stade Jean Dauger in Bayonne on Saturday.

The visitors arrived in the Basque Country having won their four previous matches by margins of 50 points or more and capped an impressive campaign with their 23rd win in a row and their 10th straight victory over France.

England initially found themselves in unchartered territory as France got an early score but the hosts' bright start soon turned into a long afternoon as the Red Roses hit back in brilliant fashion with three of their own.

Les Blues were held at bay by the physicality and defensive work of Simon Middleton's side, who were relentless for much of the half and carried their 14-point lead into the break.

England's maul was key to them continuing their relentless attack while France's line-out inconsistencies halted theirs as Zoe Aldcroft's four steals in the first half was the difference between the two sides.

Fly-half Zoe Harrison was sent to the sin-bin early in the second half but England got through the 10-minute period without conceding a point and added three through Emily Scarratt's penalty after French centre Maelle Filopon was yellow-carded.

Annick Hayraud's side had sprung into life after going down to 14, however, and all their pressure finally amounted to some points as Annaelle Deshaye powered over the line just after the hour mark but Caroline Drouin missed the conversion.

The try gave the home side some hope but it proved too late as England held on and stamped out any sign of attacking sparks from France, who last beat them in Grenoble in the 2018 tournament en route to lifting