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Captain Sarah Hunter scored twice as England Women’s rugby defeat France Women’s rugby away from home for the first time in seven years.
In front of a vocal crowd at the Stade Marcel Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, England secured a famous victory, quelling the crowd with an impressive performance from a powerful forward pack.
France opened the scoring as Jessy Tremouliere slotted a penalty between the posts after a Katy Daly-McLean high tackle.
But Emily Scarratt swiftly replied in kind, with the newly crowned World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year levelling the scores with a fine strike from the tee.
England’s forwards then began to assert themselves, with a succession of mauls putting the pressure on the French eight.
Rugby World Cup 2019 best picturesShow all 45 1 /45Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The tournament takes place in Japan
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France's players attends a training session at the Fuji Hokuroku Park
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japanese children perform the Haka
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Ireland's Rhys Ruddock attends a gym training session
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan's wing Kotaro Matsushima is tackled by Russia's centre Vladimir Ostroushko
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Former New Zealand international Richie McCaw holds the Rugby World Cup trophy during the tournament's opening ceremony
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan fans cheer on their team
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 An Argentina fan wearing a mask with an image of football player Lionel Messi
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France supporters kiss outside the Tokyo Stadium
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France supporter dressed as Obelix
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan reacts
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Australia's hooker Silatolu Latu is tackled
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan reacts
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan waits
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina's centre Jeronimo de la Fuente (C) is tackled by France's wing Yoann Huget
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's players perform the Haka
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's players perform the Haka
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan's players bow
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's scrum-half TJ Perenara (L) and full back Ben Smith interact with fans
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Fans await the start of a game
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Ireland's wing Jacob Stockdale (2nd R) runs with the ball
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 England's centre Manu Tuilagi scores a try
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 England supporters attend a match
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A dog with ears coloured in pink
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A Wales supporters laughs outside the City of Toyota Stadium
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A US fan wears shows his support for the Eagles against England.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina vs Tonga takes places at the picturesque Hanazono Stadium.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 An Argentina supporter celebrates the victory over Tonga.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Isileli Nakajima celebrates after Japan beat Ireland in one of the great World Cup upsets.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The Japan team celebrate following the famous win over Ireland.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The Tokyo Stadium was lit up by fireworks following Japan's win in the capital.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japanese fans celebrate in the Tokyo fans park.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 All across the country, Japan fans were jubilant after the incredible win.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Workers clear the stadium after the match in Tokyo.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Namibia fans show their support ahead of kick-off against South Africa.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The setting sun cuts through clouds
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina's full back Joaquin Tuculet celebrates
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Scotland fans await the start
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A US supporter waves the US flag
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France's flanker Charles Ollivon catches the ball
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France supporter poses with a woman dressed as a geisha
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's scrum-half TJ Perenara scores a try
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina supporters
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Tournament director Alan Gilpin speaks to the media
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And Hunter scored the game’s first try, shepherding a powerful surge over the line and scoring.
Hunter grabbed her second before half-time, finding able support in the form of Sarah Beckett to drive over after a succesion of effective carries around the fringes.
France came back into the game as Marlie Packer was sent to the sin bin after referee Joy Neville lost patience with England’s indiscipline, and the extra player told for the French with Camille Boudad put over in the right corner to narrow the lead.
But another well-struck Scarratt penalty extended England’s advantage to ten, and effective defence allowed Simon Middleton ’s side to see out the remainder of the game and secure a famous victory.
England had not won in France since 2012, and the hosts had won 17 of their last 18 games at home.
The Red Roses host the French at Sandy Park in Exeter next week before completing their autumn exertions against Italy in Bedford.
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