Super Holly shows why she’s No.1 for Mitchell

By Ben Jaycock

England……………38pts

Tries: M Packer 11, Breach 18, 49; Rowland 23, Talling 44, L Packer 66

Conversions: Aitchison 11, 23, 44, 66

France……………… 19pts

Tries: Sochat 45, Menager 61, Bourdon 70

Conversions: Tuy 45, 61

Holly Aitchison produced a superb performance at fly-half to guide England to their 16th consecutive victory.

The Red Roses scored six tries in their first outing since beating France in April to claim a third Six Nations Grand Slam in a row as they began their continue to gear up for their WXV1 title defence in Canada.

Aitchison was criticised for her goal kicking during the Six Nations with England’s embarrassment of riches at 10 shown with formidable place kicker Zoe Harrison on the bench. But Aitchison’s control of the game and its tempo is why the Bristol back is John Mitchell’s number one choice, while her four successful attempts from six conversions silenced her critics.

England extended their win streak over France to 14 games and next week will face world champions New Zealand at Twickenham.

Touchdown: Helena Rowland scores England’s third try

PICTURE: Alamy

Captain Marlie Packer said: “We knew it was going to be a tough encounter. Every time we play France, we know it’s going to be a battle right to the final whistle.

“I think we came out the blocks firing. France and had a good 10 minutes within that but we just needed to make sure we stuck to our processes that we worked on a lot over pre-season. It’s coming together, I’m super proud of all the girls.”

In the opening five minutes, France were dominant with their new fly-half Lina Tuy orchestrating proceedings but winger Abby Dow, who is renowned for her attacking play, produced a superb jackal turnover to halt the visitors’ momentum.

England replied with sustained pressure and Packer was on hand to dot down from close range. Aitchison converted from a tough angle.

France’s backline continued to be a threat but England did enough to keep them out in the opening quarter, forcing knock ons which were compounded by scrum dominance from England beefy pack.

Ellie Kildunne showcased her fancy feet to break down the right and off recycled ball, play was quickly switched to the left allowing Saracens’ Jess Breach to score out wide having been assisted with a neat step by debutant Maddie Feaunati.

Agathe Sochard was sent to the sin bin after Hannah Botterman’s complaints to referee Kat Roche about the French hooker kicking the ball as it emerged from a ruck.

England utilised their numerical advantage as centre Helena Rowland took the ball at pace and burged over the line before half-time.

The first half had a feeling of a first game back with both sides suffering from ring rust but England kicked it up a gear after half-time as Packer went over from a devastating driving maul illustrating why the Red Roses pack is regarded as the best in the world.

However, France responded with Sochat dummying off a maul, showing her pace to breeze past Amy Cokayne and get the visitors on the board. Breach scored her second try after Aitchison’s clever kick in behind. The potent wing had little space near her touchline but brushed off the tackle of her opposite wing Cyrielle Banet.

France were superior in a rare scrum and took full advantage as No.8 Romane Menager picked the ball up to drop over the line but that was cancelled out by replacement scrum-half Lucy Packer going over from close-range.

French star Pauline Bourdon Sansus was surprisingly left on the bench and the scrum-half went over minutes after coming on to continue her scoring spree against England.