England and France roar into a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider after road routs

England and France have finished a respective first and second in the Six Nations every year since 2020, and have met in a final round showdown every year since 2021. A record crowd for a France home game in the Women's Six Nations is expected next weekend in Bordeaux at 42,000-seat Stade Atlantique. But France will have to overcome not having beaten England in eight years.

England 61, Italy 33 England had the bonus-point fourth try and victory in hand inside 14 minutes. That's when Zoe Harrison missed her first goalkick in 19 attempts in the championship. Harrison finished the game converting eight of the nine tries, including all five from the touchlines.

Also at 26-0 a sleepy and sloppy Italy woke up. Italy scored its first points against England at home since 2018 and wound up with its highest ever score against England, surpassing 24 from 10 years ago. A remarkable five tries included two by replacement flanker Francesca Sgorbini.

But the game's undoubted star was its oldest player, 36-year-old Marlie Packer, who scored four tries. The fourth was the best: She smashed through five defenders in the 60th minute. Packer leads the tournament with seven tries and has 59 in her career, only two behind the England record held by Sue Day.