London (AFP) - England proved just too strong for France as they won 38-33 to complete a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam in front of a world record crowd at Twickenham on Saturday.
The largest attendance for a stand-alone women's international, topping the 42,579 crowd for England's World Cup final loss to New Zealand in Auckland in November, witnessed a dominant first-half display by England, who led 33-0 at half-time.
There seemed no way back for France, also bidding for a Grand Slam, after they had conceded five tries and been reduced to 13 players by two yellow cards.
But in a classic 'game of two halves' France won the second period 33-5, with Lark Davies' try the hosts' lone score of the half.
The clock, however, was always against France as England clinched a fifth successive Women's Six Nations title in coach Simon Middleton's last game in charge after eight years at the helm.
"I am super proud, the whole squad in this Six Nations has got us to where we are today and it is amazing," England captain Marlie Packer told the BBC.
"We knew they (France) would be tough, they played to the 80th minute and kept asking questions of us so credit to them."
'Couldn't wish for more'
An emotional Middleton said: "You couldn't wish for more than this.It's been an honour and privilege to do this job.I have been very lucky."
France, the last side to beat England in the Six Nations five years ago, dominated the opening 15 minutes at a sun-drenched Twickenham but determined defence kept them at bay.
England, by contrast, scored with their first attack of the match.
Helena Rowland made a break and right wing Abby Dow went over in the corner.
England extended their lead when flanker Packer powered over from close range for her seventh try of the tournament.
France's day went from bad to worse when fly-half Jessy Tremouliere, in her final Test before retirement, was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on as England pressed for a try in the 31st minute.
And from the ensuing scrum, No 8 Alex Matthews charged over, with Rowland adding the extras.
England were awarded a penalty try as French prop Rose Bernadou was sin-binned for making a tackle from an offside position.
And with France two players down and the clock in the red, England ran in their fifth try with Zoe Aldcroft going over for a converted score.
France, however, began their recovery when full-back Emilie Boulard capped a slick move for a 48th-minute try before Gabrielle Vernier's clever dummy reduced the deficit still further.
But Davies's try from a trademark rolling maul helped settle England's nerves.
France were far from finished, scoring further tries through Charlotte Escudero, Emeline Gros and Cyrielle Banet before running out of time.
"In the first half, that is not a true reflection of our team," said France captain Audrey Forlani."If you look at the second half, that is our real team.We need to keep working and keep that second half in mind."
An increasingly professional Wales underlined their progress by securing third place later Saturday by scoring five tries in a 36-10 win away to Italy -- their third victory of the tournament.
Scotland condemned Ireland to the wooden spoon and a fifth defeat in as many matches this tournament with a 36-10 triumph of their own.
The result meant the Scots had won successive Six Nations wins for the first time since 2006 following last week's defeat of Italy.
Ireland were level at 10-10 early in the second half but Scotland pulled away with four more tries, including one from captain Rachel Malcolm.
