France swept to the Six Nations title with a 35-16 victory over Scotland on Saturday, edging out bitter rivals England whose 68-14 rout of hapless Wales had sent the championship battle down to the wire.

Wales were thumped 68-14 by England in Cardiff to pick up the wooden spoon for a second successive year as their losing streak stretched to 17 Tests in a row.

Alex Mitchell is adamant England's 68-14 hammering of Wales in Cardiff must signal the start of a new era for Steve Borthwick's men. England, however, cut loose against Italy in round four before rounding off the championship in emphatic fashion by posting their highest score against Wales,