England concluded preparations for their hosting of the Women's Rugby World Cup with a convincing away victory over France, winning 40-6 on Saturday in their last warm-up international before the tournament kicks off later in the month.
England – who have contested the last six World Cup finals, a run that includes their 2014 triumph – produced a dominant performance and will be heading to the tournament brimming with confidence as they scored six tries without reply against their hosts.
Morwenna Talling, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir all went over in the first half as England put on an impressive display of forward power and Megan Jones and Lark Atkin-Davies (two) added second-half scores as a near-full strength English side proved far too strong for the French at Stade Andre-et-Guy-Boniface.
Zoe Harrison kicked over five conversions while France’s two penalties were slotted over by Morgane Bourgeois.
The result made it 57 wins from their past 58 internationals, and a 16th win in a row over the French, for the English who kick off the World Cup with a Pool A clash against the United States in Sunderland on August 22.
France, who have been third at seven of the nine previous World Cups but never reached a final, are in Pool D and meet Italy in their opening game at Exeter on 23 August.