In a thrilling conclusion to the Women's Six Nations tournament, the French national team fell just short against England, losing 43-42 in a nail-biting match at Twickenham on April 26, 2025. This defeat marked France's 15th consecutive loss to their English rivals, who secured their seventh Grand Slam title in a row.
The match began disastrously for France, as they conceded five tries within the first 22 minutes, leaving them trailing 31-7 at one point. Despite the rocky start, the French team displayed remarkable resilience, mounting a spirited comeback in the second half.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Morgane Bourgeois sparked hope for the French side by scoring a try in the 70th minute, bringing the score to 43-35. Joanna Grisez followed suit, scoring another try just before the final whistle, which Bourgeois successfully converted, narrowing the gap to a single point at 43-42.
However, the final moments of the match were marred by a critical mistake. Following the try by Grisez, the French team failed to secure the ensuing kickoff, leading to a fatal handling error by Gueyroi, which handed possession back to England and effectively sealed the game.
Manae Feleu, co-captain of the French team, reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of the match, stating, "It's hard to put into words the emotions we have right now. I want to congratulate the team. Not many people believed in us; everyone told us we were going in as the underdogs. We showed everyone they were wrong. We look forward to meeting the English team again at the World Cup next summer... We proved we can compete, even if a point is nothing and at the same time, it's everything. We have time to close the gap."
Despite the loss, the French team finished the tournament in second place for the fifth consecutive year, a result that leaves them eager for redemption at the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted in England from August 22 to September 27, 2025.
The match was attended by approximately 46,000 spectators, who witnessed a display of tenacity and skill from both teams. England's early dominance was showcased through tries from Abby Dow, who scored twice, and contributions from Emma Sing, Atkin-Davies, and Claudia MacDonald, all of whom exploited the French defense in the opening quarter.
France, however, began to find their footing as the match progressed. Clara Arbez opened the scoring for the French team in the sixth minute, followed by tries from Bourdon-Sansus and Marine Ménager, who scored just before halftime, leaving the score at 31-21.
After the break, the French team continued to fight back, with Kelly Arbey scoring another try in the 51st minute, igniting hopes of an upset. However, England's Zoe Aldcroft responded with a try of her own shortly thereafter, further complicating France's comeback efforts.
As the match drew to a close, the tension in the stadium was palpable. The French team, having clawed their way back into contention, was just one point behind with seconds to spare. The final whistle blew, and the disappointment was evident as the players realized they had come so close to achieving a historic victory.
In the post-match analysis, French coach David Ortiz emphasized the importance of learning from this experience. "This tournament has helped us grow. We will take this match as a stepping stone towards our ultimate goal, which is the World Cup. We know we need to improve our discipline and reduce our errors to compete at the highest level," he stated.
The French team will now shift their focus to preparing for the World Cup, where they will be placed in Pool D alongside Italy, South Africa, and Brazil. With the lessons learned from their narrow defeat, the Bleues are poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming tournament.
Despite the heartbreak of the loss, the performance of the French team has sparked optimism among fans and players alike. The determination and skill displayed against England serve as a reminder of the potential that lies within this talented group of athletes. As they look ahead to the World Cup, the message is clear: the French team is ready to challenge the best in the world.
