Zoe Aldcroft believes England’s hard work over the past few months paid off against France after helping her side clinch a third consecutive Women’s Six Nations title.
The 24-year-old flanker was named Player of the Match for her superb all-round performance, which included 14 carries and 15 tackles, in an enthralling Championship final.
England defeat France to defend Women’s Six Nations title
England scored the only try of the game at the end of the first half as Poppy Cleall barged over and Emily Scarratt converted to give the hosts a 7-0 lead at The Stoop.
Two penalties from Caroline Drouin cut the deficit to a point with eight minutes left to play but the Red Roses held on before confirming a 10-6 victory with a late Scarratt penalty.
And while England were made to sweat after the break as Les Bleues piled on the pressure, Aldcroft hailed her teammates for their endeavour as they held their nerve.
“It means so much, we’ve worked so hard since January and I think all that paid off today,” she said. “We worked hard for the full 80 minutes which is what we spoke about.
“It obviously came off and we got the win. They were pushing us back in the tackles but we knew that pressure was going to come on, so we just had to hold on in there and keep going.
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“I think in the first half we could have been more physical and taken it to them more, maybe played it a bit wider and got our tip-ons a little bit more but we did it when it mattered.
“There is definitely [psychological advantage from beating France again]. That is what we were thinking, it was going to be a battle, it always is a battle between us and France.
“Every time we go out and play them it’s like that and credit to them as they played absolutely amazing but it’s put us in a good stead.”
