England 43 - 42 France: England player ratings as the Red Roses secure record breaking title win

The Red Roses saw off an exciting French outfit in a nailbiting performance as they ran out 43-42 winners to win the Grand Slam and their 7th straight Six Nations title.

The number one ranked side in the world recorded a 34th straight victory in a displayed defined by attacking prowess.

England started off brilliantly with a try by in-form winger Abby Dow as she danced her through a tackle and over the whitewash.

However, the visitors were not going to lie still for the time being. Carla Arbez responded just minutes later before Emma Sing, starting in place of the injured Ellie Kildunne, returned the favour and scored.

Lark Atkin-Davies had the simple job of putting the ball down after a tremendous maul, which England would continue to use to great benefit.

Sing scored her second of the match after another maul as the set piece continued to ravage through the French ranks and cause all sorts of problems.

It was then the turn for England's remaining member of the back three, Claudia MacDonald, to get in on the act as she scored for the Red Roses.

It seemed that England would be on their way to a huge win but France responded late in the half with tries from Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Marine Ménager as England went in at half time 31-21 up.

The start of the second half was a cagey affair as both teams settled down after a frenzied attacking display in the first 40.

England captain Zoe Aldcroft reached out to score her side's sixth try before Kelly Arbey rounded Dow to respond a minute later.

Later, a period of pressure was sustained by the Red Roses as they battered their way through to the French line. With the defenders bunched in the middle of the park, Harrison threw an inch-perfect pass for Dow to run on and score in the corner.

France kept their foot in the match and gave the end of the match a nailbiting finish. The impressive Morgane Bourgeois and Joanna Grisez both scored as the visitors trailed by a single point heading into the last minute.

The Red Roses chose to kick off long at the subsequent restart and France threw a forward pass to confirm England as Six Nations champions in front of a 37,573 strong crowd at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Tries: 7 (Dow 3', 57', Sing 7', 17', Atkin-Davies 11', MacDonald 22', Aldcroft 48')

Conversions: 4 (Harrison 8', 17', 23', 49')

Penalties: 0

Drop Goals: 0

Yellow Cards: 0

Red Cards: 0

Starting XV: 15. Emma Sing 14. Abby Dow 13. Megan Jones 12. Tatyana Heard 11. Claudia MacDonald 10. Zoe Harrison 9. Natasha Hunt; 1. Hannah Botterman 2. Lark Atkin-Davies 3. Maud Muir 4. Morwenna Talling 5. Abbie Ward 6. Zoe Aldcroft (c) 7. Maddie Feaunati 8. Alex Matthews

Replacements: 16. Amy Cokayne 17. Kelsey Clifford 18. Sarah Bern 19. Rosie Galligan 20. Abi Burton 21. Lucy Packer 22. Holly Aitchison 23. Helena Rowland

Tries: 6 (Arbez 5', Bourdon Sansus 28', Ménager 38', Arbey 49', Bourgeois 69', Grisez 78')

Conversions: 6 (Bourgeois 6', 29', 39', 51', 70', 79')

Penalties: 0

Drop Goals: 0

Yellow Cards: 1 (Khalfaoui 22')

Red Cards: 0

Starting XV: 15. Morgane Bourgeois 14. Joanna Grisez 13. Marine Ménager 12. Gabrielle Vernier 11. Kelly Arbey 10. Carla Arbez 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus; 1. Yllana Brosseau 2. Manon Bigot 3. Assia Khalfaoui 4. Manae Feleu (c) 5. Madoussou Fall-Raclot 6. Charlotte Escudero 7. Léa Champon 8. Téani Feleu

Replacements: 16. Élisa Riffonneau 17. Ambre Mwayembe 18. Rose Bernadou 19. Kiara Zago 20. Axelle Berthoumieu 21. Taïna Maka 22. Alexandra Chambon 23. Lina Queyroi

It is no mean feat to fill in for the World Player of the Year but the Gloucester-Hartpury flyer pulled off a blinder. She scored England's second try after receiving an offload and then crossed over for a brace after a great attacking platform off of a maul. Sing showcased her defensive abilities too with a superb try-saving tackle as France mounted their comeback.

Shaunagh Brown said midweek that the winger would be one to watch and how right the former Red Rose was. A neat step around a French defender saw her cross over for England's first try. She was electric in attack and had much joy down the right wing in the first half. Dow completed her brace on the 57th minute after collecting a lovely pass from Harrison.

It seems to be going so well for Jones this week. A move announced to join Trailfinders next season and an absolute blinder against France. Her barnstorming running lines caused the visitors all sorts of problems. Her pinpoint passing resulted in two tries from Sing and MacDonald.

Restored the lineup after a very promising performance from Shekells last week. The inside centre brought dominance to England's backline, shown best by a huge hit on Vernier in the first half. Another strong carry through the centre in the second half gave England a great attacking position.

After a player of the match display in round four, MacDonald was up to her usual tricks. Early pressure from the winger gave England important territory which led to the first score. A brace last week and a try in this match exemplifies her incredible ability. She is quickly making the 11 shirt her own. The winger suffered an early injury scare to her leg early in the second half but was able to continue.

The Saracen is seemingly Mitchell's first choice at fly half and his choice is paying off. Harrison's kicking out of hand is a real weapon in England's arsenal and was utilised well. She orchestrated Heard and Jones outside her to great effect. However, a costly error allowed Bourdon Sansus to score as she knocked on in England's try zone. She made up for her mistake as she threw a perfect pass out to Dow on the wing who was able to stroll in untouched.

Hunt is always important to the England whenever she plays but she had a quiet match. She did well to ensure quick ball and was decent in defence.

Simply put, the loosehead was world class. She epitomised the role of a prop and more. She was excellent over the ball in the ruck as she came up with two important turnovers, most notably in the 14th minute on her own line. Botterman had some brilliant carries too with ball in hand.

A smart operator at scrum time and in the lineout and this match was no different. She was solid in defence and her efforts resulted in a simple try from a maul. Always a reliable player for Mitchell's side and surely a starter at the World Cup in the summer.

A quieter game for Muir in comparison to her performance off the bench last week. Her displays at scrums are always impressive and she put in a couple of good hits on the French forwards. Sarah Bern may be better suited moving forward in the future.

One of the few who will be guaranteed to remain in the starting XV for the World Cup. England's strength in depth is sublime at the moment but Talling has to be starting. Her rucking work was incredible with two counter-ruck turnovers. A powerful carrier and very hard working.

The second row has long been an important part of England's squad and this match proved no different. Not the one for the flashy offloads or quick breaks, Ward quietly went about her work and came out on top. Good showing.

Captain Fantastic. Aldcroft deserves all the credentials she gets and is integral to England' style of play. A player of the match performance defined her status as one of England's greats.

7. Maddie Feaunati - 6

A quiet match for the openside but this was a match for the backs. Some important carries and good work in the rucks secured ball for England in a match that seemed to shift momentum every minute.

Not her imperious self but still important otherwise. Much like Feaunati, she had a quiet match but did have an impact. Did her job well.

John Mitchell was not happy with the second half performance as England shipped tries to allow France back within a point. The replacements did not have the desired effect to close the game out in a way that should have been up to standard for the Red Roses. Ultimately, England won the match so credit must be given to the role that the substitutes played to eventually get over the line.