England enacted revenge on reigning Grand Slam champions France as they ran in seven tries at Castle Park to down the visitors.
Two scores apiece from Poppy Cleall and Jess Breach did the damage before a strong second-half showing from France demonstrated what they were capable of.
But the damage had been done in the first 40, with England taking a 24-0 lead into the break, an advantage that they would never relinquish.
England thought they had taken an early lead when returning winger Sarah McKenna sped through the French line to cross the whitewash, but for the TMO to intervene and overrule after an infringement at the scrum that started the move.
But they didn’t have to wait long before they got on the board, Breach gathering an inch-perfect Katy Daley-McLean chip to cross in the right corner after Emily Scarratt’s monster kick gained huge ground for the hosts.
And Daley-McLean’s typical assurance from the tee brought up a landmark moment for the 33-year-old, the subsequent conversion taking her total over 500 points in international rugby.
The focus shifted to England’s other winger as the hosts extended their lead, with Kelly Smith asking pertinent questions of the French defence.
The ball was fed out to the winger with England bothering the France line, making ground before she was downed at the whitewash.
But Cleall was first on-hand, timing her run to perfection to receive the ball at pace and crash over.
And Smith soon got her own name among the scorers as she sprinted on to a deft Scarratt grubber for England’s third despite the hosts being a player light, with Vickii Cornborough serving time in the sin bin.
Breach was back in the mix as she added her second of the match and, with it, England’s bonus point.
Scarratt intercepted in dangerous territory, with England quick at the breakdown to send Breach through in the corner on the stroke of half-time.
Stern words in the French dressing room at the break kick-started a flurry of scores as they hit straight back through Safi N’Diaye before Cleall immediately added her second of the match from the re-start.
Pauline Bourdon showed tricky feet and a wicked feint as she wrenched the French back into the reckoning before Hannah Botterman drove over on the hour as England reclaimed the initiative.
Cath O’Donnell drove over to take England’s points tally past 40 before Bourdon added her second and France’s third with time running out in their hunt for the bonus point.
But Romane Menager ensured that France would leave Castle Park with a share of the spoils as she deservedly drove over for France’s fourth.
