Fran Matthews and Heather Fisher have both been concentrating on sevens and were making their first appearances for the side since 2011.

Both Matthews and Fisher impressed, with debutant Jo Watmore one of the tryscorers alongside Ruth Laybourn and Fiona Davidson.

And with a three-Test series against World Champions New Zealand on the horizon, Street has warned his team that they cannot rest on their laurels.

He said: “This could be the best team, without doubt the best I’ve ever worked with. It’s really pleasing. These are tough games, hard games. The French play with physicality and dig in.

“I was really impressed by Amber Reed on her first cap. She settled in very well and Jo Watmore, she’s a quality player.

“New Zealand will be back after last year’s loss with a full team. They’re world champions. We’ll have had more time together, a more settled squad. We’ll need to be on top of our game to repeat our success.

“We have to react well under pressure. That’s one of the reasons this game with France was useful. We have to know how the team react to pressure and they did that to come back and get this result.”

Winger Matthews was named in the squad for the three Tests against the Black Ferns and she admitted it had been great to get back into an England shirt again after such a long absence.

She added: “It’s amazing to be back. Wearing the England shirt is an amazing experience.

“I think this team have so much potential. The performance against France was great.

“Our squad has a lot of depth. There are a few players out injured who have a lot to bring. It’s very exciting. I’m looking forward to what we can do.

“I cannot wait to play New Zealand. I’m buzzing to play them, they’re a physical side and such good opposition which we can test ourselves against.

“We must focus on the autumn tests. But it is all building blocks towards that, it’s got to be done. We have to improve and make sure we can achieve what we want.”

A year ago England beat the Black Ferns 2-0 in a three-Test series, with the final match drawn, gaining some measure of revenge for losing the World Cup final at the Stoop the previous autumn.

Fisher was not part of the team which beat New Zealand last year but she revealed that she was enjoying being back in Street’s side.

She added: “It feels fantastic to be back playing with the 15s. It’s always brilliant playing on home soil.

“The performance was fantastic. We’ve only had three days together, which is not much time at all.

“France are a fantastic side, they play with all guns blazing. They are aggressive with good ball carriers.

“Bring it on. It will be aggressive and hard. It’s never easy against New Zealand, they’ll want to lay down foundations on our soil, so we’ll need to put in a collective performance.”

England Women’s squad to face New Zealand
Claire Allan (Richmond), Emily Braund (Lichfield), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Emma Croker (Richmond), Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), Heather Fisher (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Georgina Gulliver (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Ceri Large (Worcester), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), Francesca Matthews (Richmond), Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Amber Reed (Bristol), Alice Richardson (Richmond), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Tamara Taylor (Lichfield), Danielle Waterman (Worcester), Joanne Watmore (Worcester)