Just the beginning for the Red Roses as Middleton signs off

Simon Middleton believes that his departure from the Red Roses is not the end of their meteoric rise, in fact, it is just the beginning. The England head coach bowed out with one final victory as the Red Roses claimed a fifth Grand Slam under his tenure following a 38-33 win over France at Twickenham. Ad Middleton waved goodbye in front of 58,498 fans alongside departing backs coach Scott Bemand, with recently retired captain Sarah Hunter delivering the TikTok Women's Six Nations trophy.

RugbyThomas waves farwell to Wales following historic Italy victory43 MINUTES AGO Some would say it is the end of an era, but Middleton says different. «It's been a big Six Nations for change with Sarah stepping down and retiring and then obviously myself and Scott Bemand deciding to move on,» the 57-year-old said. «It was a brilliant day and we couldn't have wished for a better stage to go out on.

»But it's not the end of the road, it's just a little bit of the way along the road." England did not have it their own way as they looked to give Middleton a fairytale send-off, battling against a fired-up France in the first 15 minutes. Abby Dow's sprinting score settled England who embarked on a period of dominance that stretched right until the half-time whistle. Marlie Packer and Alex Matthews crossed before the Red Roses were awarded a penalty try after Rose Bernadou became the second France player in the sin-bin, joining the retiring Jessy Trémoulière.