France’s Women’s Rugby Faces Setback but Shatters Attendance Records at 2026 Six Nations Finale

In a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 Women’s Six Nations tournament, France’s women’s rugby team was defeated 43-28 by England at the Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux on May 17, marking their 18th consecutive loss to their formidable rivals. Despite notable tries from players like Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Anaïs Grando, France struggled with critical errors including four lost lineouts that hampered their comeback efforts. England’s victory secured their eighth consecutive Grand Slam and extended their winning streak to 41 matches since 2018.

While the Bleues’ performance fell short on the pitch, the match witnessed a historic moment off it, breaking the national attendance record for a women's rugby match in France with 35,062 spectators. This new record eclipses the previous high of around 28,000 set during the 2024 Crunch match, signaling a surge in the sport’s popularity. Florian Grill, president of the French Rugby Federation, hailed this milestone as a “new victory for women’s rugby” amid a 17% rise in female licensees this season, now exceeding 55,000.

Coach François Ratier acknowledged the team's need for sharper execution and clinical precision during key moments, suggesting areas for growth as France aims to close the gap with England. Meanwhile, the record-breaking attendance symbolizes growing support and momentum for women’s rugby in France, paving the way for further development and professionalization of the sport at all levels.