Willstrop and Matthew star as England win

The men’s team, spearheaded by the world number one James Willstrop and number two Nick Matthew, beat their old rivals France in the men’s final in Nuremberg for the 12th time since 2000.

Meanwhile the women’s team also claimed a win ahead of the tournament in the O2 that begins on May 14, but were pushed all the way by final opponents Ireland.

Belfast’s Madeline Perry, ranked three in the world, fought back from 2-1 down to best world number two Jenny Duncalf, but wins for British champion Laura Massaro over Aisling Blake and wildcard Alison Waters’s victory over Laura Mylotte clinched the win.

The highlight of the Championships was arguably the match between fierce rivals James Willstrop and Gregory Gaultier, who took to the court for their seventh meeting in the last seven months.

Since the first of those, Englishman Willstrop has become world number one and the Yorkshireman had to produce a showing worthy of his ranking to see off world number three Gaultier.

The team victory marks England’s 20th success in a row, as well as the 37th in total since the inaugural championships in 1976.