England Women claim fifth straight Six Nations title
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England women secure Grand Slam
England Women won a fifth consecutive Six Nations title and a fourth Grand Slam in five years with a tense 11-10 victory over France Women in Rennes.
Amy Turner's try put England 5-3 ahead at half-time while France had Claire Canal sent off on the half-hour mark.
Celine Allainmat's try put France ahead before Katy McLean gave England the lead again with a 64th-minute penalty.
France had the chance to win the game in injury time but Aurelie Bailon's last-gasp penalty fell just short.
"Even though this was a tight game, the victory was never in doubt in my mind," said England Women's head coach Gary Street.
"We knew France would throw everything they had at us and they made us work very hard for this win. But we showed great character and mental strength to turn this around."
France: Elodie Poublan; Celine Allainmat, Sandrine Agricole, Lucille Godiveau, Caroline Ladagnous; Aurelie Bailon, Marie Alice Yahe; Stephanie Loyer, Laetitia Salles, Lenaick Lorre, Cryrielle Bouisset, Hasna Ramouni, Claire Canal, Marie Charlotte Hebel, Sandra Rabier. Replacements: Clemence Ollivier, Nadege Labbey, Manon Andre, Amandine Vaupre, Jennifer Troncy, Fanny Griselin, Fanny Horta.
England: Fiona Pocock; Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Amber Penrith; Katy Mclean, Amy Turner; Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemming; Joanna McGilchrist, Tamara Taylor; Heather Fisher, Margaret Alphonsi, Catherine Spencer (capt) Replacements: Emma Layland, Claire Purdy, Rebecca Essex, Karen Jones, La Toya Mason, Alice Richardson, Claire Allan.
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