Fickou, whose club play Stade Français Paris in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 next month, notched France’s opening try on 14 minutes, while reigning European Player of the Year Dupont, who goes up against Ulster Rugby with Toulouse, grabbed France’s third and decisive score on 60 minutes.

The duo’s efforts came either side of a try from Toulouse flanker François Cros on the stroke of half-time, after two penalties from Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith, another EPCR European Player of the Year nominee, got England on the scoreboard.

Leicester Tigers full-back Freddie Steward, whose club play ASM Clermont Auvergne in the last 16, dotted down for a try converted by Smith to give England some hope on 47 minutes, but France held on for their crucial win.

France needed a victory to secure their first Six Nations title since 2010 because Ireland had beaten Scotland 26-5 at the Aviva Stadium earlier in the day.

Tries from Leinster Rugby trio Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy and Josh van der Flier – who is also in the running for EPCR European Player of the Year - and Munster Rugby scrum-half Conor Murray, plus three conversions from Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton, had kept Ireland in contention.

Meanwhile, Montpellier Hérault Rugby fly-half Paolo Garbisi kicked 11 points as Italy triumphed 22-21 over Wales at the Principality Stadium to claim a first Six Nations win since 2015.

EPCR European Player of the Year nominees Gaël Fickou and Antoine Dupont, of Racing 92 and Stade Toulousain respectively, scored tries as France completed the Six Nations Grand Slam by beating England 25-13 at Stade de France on Saturday.