3. France 25 – 13 England: 2022 Six Nations Championships
France and England fans will remember this match for polarizing reasons. French supporters were ecstatic to see their country claim their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2010, yet England fans will never forget the time they were introduced to Antoine Dupont.
The scrum half was coronated in Paris, and ended his break-out Six Nations with another breath-taking performance. Rugby pundits and players had been aware of Dupont’s talents, yet this Grand Slam sealing match saw the then 25-year-old break into the mainstream. The most causal of fans now know his name, and highlight him as a man to watch heading into this weekend.
Dupont played a part in each of France’s four tries, and made his mark on the score-board too. Running onto the offload of Gregory Alldritt, as the back-rower crashed into contact, Dupont had open space to explode into the back-field. After a fend on Jamie George, the French captain outpaced Ben Youngs’ tap tackle attempt to score.
4. France 12 – 24 England: 2022 Women’s Six Nations
A history making match for England, as the Red Roses won their fourth consecutive Six Nations title. The Grand Slam triumph in Bayonne, saw England also equal the record of all-time consecutive international wins, with 23 in a row. England would break the record in the same year’s Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, with a 52-14 victory over the USA.
England and France met with the Grand Slam on the line in 2022, with both sides comfortably dismantling the other four nations on their way through to the final round. The stakes were perfectly set for a showcase of women’s rugby, and the following match lived up to all expectations.
France shocked England with a try after just three minutes, as Romane Menager broke through the defence, and crashed over to score from close range. However, England stood firm and responded with three first half tries. Prop Sarah Bern grabbed a brace, scoring on either side of lock Abbie Ward’s try.
The rolling maul was the choice set-piece of the day, with the French forwards dominated by the move, and were overpowered for three tries. England were able to resiliently see this lead out for the second half, despite a late consolation try from prop Annaelle Deshaye. Emily Scarratt added an extra three points from the boot, and ended the match by sending the ball sailing high into the stands.