France women were too good for England at Twickenham on Saturday night

Reigning world champions England have finished fourth in the Women’s Six Nations after France handed them a 21-15 defeat at Twickenham on Saturday night.

Only a handful of World Cup winners were in the England line-up, including prop Rochelle Clark, who led the side out on her 100th appearance.

France took the lead when Jessy Tremouliere kicked an early penalty and the full-back then added a conversion after skipper Gaelle Minot had powered over the line from a maul in the 21st minute.

That made it 10-0 to the visitors and Tremouliere added two more penalties, with England centre Amber Reed kicking one in reply.

And England then got back in the hunt when flanker Hannah Gallagher crossed the line after receiving a pass from prop Laura Keates.

But Tremouliere was the star on the day and she completed a 16-point personal haul by touching down in the corner to make it 21-8.

England did manage to reduce the margin of defeat in the closing stages when Harriet Millar-Mills scored a converted try.

The victory took France two points clear at the top of the Six Nations table.

However, Ireland can snatch the title if they beat Scotland by at least a 26-point margin on Sunday and they will be hopeful of accomplishing the feat against the winless Scots, who have conceded 154 points in their four games so far.