A dominant display by France’s forwards laid the platform for them to beat England 17-12 in the Women’s Six Nations title decider in Vannes, claiming the title on point difference from their visitors.

France had to come from behind at the Stade de la Rabine after Lydia Thompson scored only the third try of the Championship against Les Bleues in the 25th minute to triumph with two tries from inspirational captain Gaelle Mignot and another from Audrey Forlani.

The home side, roared on by a packed stadium, had made the better start in this winner-takes-all encounter with their forward pack dominating up front and barely allowing England out of their own half in the opening 10 minutes.

France had no trouble defending England’s predictable attack in the first quarter, but then captain Sarah Hunter broke quickly off the back of a scrum and fed Thompson, the winger shrugging off four attempted tackles to go over in the corner.

Amber Reed added the conversion and it looked as though the score would remain at 7-0 until half-time, only for France to strike a blow with five minutes remaining in traditional fashion, their forwards driving over the line with Mignot scoring the try.

France came out in determined fashion after the break and began to build up a head of steam, seemingly more confident in their attack and gratefully receiving the ball England kicked back at them to counter-attack at will.

France hold firm

Camille Cabalou saw her penalty attempt hit the post, but with 53 minutes on the clock Les Bleues kicked a penalty to touch, won the lineout and drove for the line, this time second-row Forlani dotting down to give her side the lead for the first time in the match.

Cabalou added the conversion and France continued to pile on the pressure, England barely able to get out of their own half until they turned the tables on Les Bleues, a long driving maul resulting in a try for Tamara Taylor. Reed’s conversion hit the post to leave the score tied at 12-12.

With the crowd of more than 10,000 cheering on the home side, France continued to press forward and were finally rewarded with 10 minutes to go when Mignot scored her second try, Les Bleues’ third to come from a driving maul on the night.

The missed conversion gave England hope of securing victory and with it an eighth Grand Slam and first title since 2012, but despite France giving away several penalties, their defence held firm and after they turned the ball over it was left to scrum-half Pauline Bourdon, called up from the under-20 side, to boot the ball into touch to spark the celebrations.

The margin of victory will not be enough to lift France above England in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings when they update on Monday, instead Les Bleues will close to just seven hundredths behind the world champions in second.

The Women’s Six Nations will conclude on Sunday when Wales host Italy in Aberavon and 2014 champions Ireland welcome bottom of the table Scotland to Dublin with third place in the Championship at stake. Click here for the final round preview.

Photo credit: I.PICAREL/FFR