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England Retains Title in Thrilling Match Against France
In a nail-biting finale at Twickenham, France’s Joanna Grisez sparked hopes of an upset when she scored, leading fans to wonder if England’s dominance in women’s rugby would come to an end. Despite England taking an impressive 31-7 lead within the first 23 minutes, France relentlessly fought back, narrowing the gap to just one point as the match approached its conclusion. A crucial knock-on from France sealed the game, highlighting the immense pressure felt by the hosts, who erupted in jubilant celebration at the final whistle.
In a dramatic finish, England not only held onto the trophy but secured their seventh consecutive title. This victory extended their record to an astounding 34 consecutive wins in this tournament, and 25 wins across all competitions.
The Red Roses are accustomed to clinching trophies, but their sights are now set on a more significant challenge. The Rugby World Cup, scheduled to take place in five months, is the ultimate prize. Having last seized the World Cup in 2014, it is now their primary focus as they aim to cement their status as one of the top teams across all sports by claiming this coveted title once more.
Throughout the tournament, England showcased their prowess, although they faced a formidable French team that managed to outscore England with 42 points—surpassing the total points conceded by England in their previous four matches (29). This statistic underscores France’s competitive spirit throughout the game.
Strategic Choices Pay Off
England’s depth in talent was evident as coach John Mitchell experimented with different player combinations, keeping the Rugby World Cup in mind. The decision to start Emma Sing proved crucial, especially given Ellie Kildunne’s absence due to a hamstring injury. Sing entered the match ready to make an impact and, despite a shaky beginning, she quickly found her rhythm, scoring two tries and delivering a commendable performance in just her third appearance for the Red Roses.
Scotland Secures Dramatic Win Over Ireland
In another pivotal match, Scotland claimed a thrilling 26-19 victory against Ireland at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, thanks to Francesca McGhie’s last-minute try. Ireland initially took the lead with a try from Amee-Leigh Costigan, but Scotland answered with a series of strong plays, including a well-executed effort that allowed Lana Skeldon to score.
The back-and-forth continued in the second half, with Ireland’s Linda Djougang grounding a hard-fought try. However, a quick response from Scotland, despite being down a player due to a yellow card, allowed them to seize the momentum once again. A late surge for the winning try cemented their second victory in the Women’s Six Nations.
Defensive Prowess and Tactical Adaptations
While both teams showed remarkable resilience, England’s defense was tested multiple times, particularly after a mishap with a pass from scrum-half Mo Hunt led to a try for France’s Bourdon-Sansus. With pressure mounting, England struggled to maintain their lead, ending the first half with France closing in at just a 10-point deficit following a try from Marine Menager.
The second half saw England substitute MacDonald due to a knee injury, but captain Zoe Aldcroft stepped up, scoring a crucial try to guide her team. France, undeterred, continued to pressure England, with outstanding individual efforts like Kelly Arbez’s solo try contributing to an intense matchup.
As the final whistle blew, England celebrated with their first trophy of the season, but their eyes are firmly set on the upcoming World Cup. The lingering question remains: can they build on this success and secure the elusive World Cup title that has evaded them since 2014?
Source
www.theguardian.com