England Women remain on track to retain their RBS 6 Nations crown after a hard fought 16-3 victory over France at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium this weekend.
The game might not have been quite the performance England Head Coach Gary Street was looking for but the result speaks for itself as England now look to secure a sixth successive title and another Grand Slam.
England hooker Amy Garnett and skipper Katy McLean eventually sealed the victory with a try each, but not before making the England side sweat with both touchdowns secured in the last quarter of the game against a fierce French side.
Street, whose side is now the only unbeaten team in the Six Nations, said: “We were very sporadic today and we managed to squander quite a few opportunities. It was frustrating because we got ourselves into some good positions but we missed the try scoring opportunities. We lacked precision at times and that was disappointing.
“There’s lots for us to work on but the important thing is that we are still on track. We have now got a good focus for our game against Scotland and we know where the improvements need to be made.”
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Both teams looked dangerous from the off, and just two minutes in skipper McLean made a great break, catching France on the hop. The tourists were fully prepared, however, swarming around England to dash their try scoring hopes.
Worcester’s Danielle Waterman and Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt also came close in the opening quarter but France held firm while England paid for their errors in the final stages of their attacking play.
France had the first opportunity to put points on the board with a penalty after 26 minutes but Sandrine Agricole couldn’t convert. A second attempt, with Nadge Casenave taking over the kicking duties, was more successful and France took a 3-0 lead after 26 minutes.
McLean too had her chance at goal but missed her 35th minute effort. She made amends just minutes into injury time, however, making it 3-3 at half time.
The Darlington Mowden Park Sharks fly half was back in action soon after the restart with a successful 49th minute shot at goal giving England a 6-3 lead.
England rang the changes on the pitch with replacements Garnett, Rachael Burford and Catherine Spencer making an immediate impact. Burford came close to scoring, but again France’s defence held firm. Again, the chances were there for England but the World Cup finalists just couldn’t secure the points.
England’s continuous pressure did pay off eventually though, with Saracens’ hooker Garnett picking up from the back of a ruck and storming her way over the try line. McLean missed the penalty but England led 11-3 after 72 minutes.
McLean then rounded things off for England with an injury time try. A ruck in the midfield saw England spin the ball out to the right wing and McLean found space to score the final touchdown. Again, she couldn’t make the conversion but 16-3 was enough to seal the win for England.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
