Key occasions
Andy Bull
There are two video games to consider at Twickenham on Saturday, the only the Red Roses will play in, and the only they need to play in. The first is their grand slam decider in opposition to France, which kicks off at 4.45pm. The 2d – on the identical venue, 5 months and in the future later – is the World Cup ultimate which, if the entirety is going because the group hopes on the Stadium of Light, Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton Gate and the opposite grounds they are going to seek advice from between from time to time, would be the subsequent sport they play on the house of English rugby.
Mitchell makes 9 adjustments. The girls’s global participant of the 12 months, Ellie Kildunne, is dominated out by means of harm so Gloucester-Hartpury’s Emma Sing will get started at full-back.
Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir come again into the entrance row and Morwenna Talling returns at lock. Maddie Feaunati switches to No 7 with Alex Matthews slotting again in at No 8.
Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison are the half-backs, at No 9 and No 10 respectively, with Tatyana Heard additionally again within the centres.
England: Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft, Feaunati, Matthews. Replacements: Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.
France: Bourgeois; Grisez, Menager, Vernier, Arbey; Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Teani Feleu, Champon, Escudero, Fall Raclot, Manaé Feleu, Khalfaoui, Bigot, Brosseau. Replacements: Riffoneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Queyroi.
On Thursday, Mitchell insisted that Kildunne’s harm gifts to considerations for the World Cup:
Sarah Rendell’s giant fit preview:
“England are on the hunt for their seventh consecutive Women’s Six Nations title on Saturday but their toughest opponent yet in France stand in their way, who are also targeting their own grand slam success.
“France have been the runner-up to England in the past five Six Nations and the Red Roses have beaten their rivals in their last 14 meetings across all competitions. Twickenham will witness something special whoever wins.”
Preamble
Pressure is a privilege, so they are saying, and there may be force on England at Twickenham nowadays regardless of how dominant they appear to be. The Red Roses could have gained 24 fits in a row, and 33 consecutively within the Women’s Six Nations, however France have gained 4 out of 4 on this marketing campaign and Les Bleues now stand in the best way of a 7th instantly identify, plus a grand slam, for John Mitchell’s aspect.
England ran in 9 tries closing weekend as they brushed Scotland apart – the wing Claudia MacDonald had a specifically spectacular day with two tries, and jointly the entirety fell into position for this richly gifted squad. But Mitchell has closely circled the lineup during the match and now not the entirety has come simply in England’s 4 wins. Italy and Ireland introduced issues and now France can be anticipated to give you the hardest exam but.
It is World Cup 12 months too, so there is a chance for people to cement their position in Mitchell’s match plans – or play their manner out of competition if issues don’t move as easily as house enthusiasts will hope. Team information and extra bobbing up.
Kick-off at 4.45pm UK time.