How England can overcome French threats in Grand Slam decider

England vs. France at the Guinness Women’s Six Nations

Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, April 26 Kick-off: 16:45 BST

Cardiff, Cork, Leicester, and York. Where England plays in the Women’s Six Nations is irrelevant; consoling bonus points are earned.

The Red Roses won their final match at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday with a score of 59-7 thanks to Scotland’s 59-7 defeat last weekend, allowing them to collect the most points possible from their four matches.

Although John Mitchell’s side have won the title seven times in a row, he has vowed to produce the “complete performance.”

Les Bleues are the only team to defeat the Red Roses in the Six Nations in 2018 and are also undefeated this campaign.

We’ve had a discussion about it, and we’re interested in it. We are aware of its existence. We’re constantly looking for that flawless performance, Mitchell said.

When France scored 33 points in a remarkable second-half comeback against England in the last of their three encounters in Twickenham in 2023, they almost stunned England.

In the second period, France launched an offensive attack that would end up costing them tries from every position, demonstrating what could happen if you kicked erratically against their dangerous backs.

Les Bleues remain dangerous in attack thanks to their old-school French flair, which requires accuracy from the start to win the territorial battle and block opportunities. They have 21 points in the championship this year and 21 in the defeat by Mitchell’s side last year in Bordeaux.

Scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus is a class act that can create a magic moment from anywhere and at any time, as evidenced by her outstanding performance in the second half against Scotland.

France have avoided using this tactic in their previous two encounters against Mitchell’s side, which leaves fly-half Carla Arbez with joint-second for kicks in play (52).

According to Mitchell, “France now attacks differently and has Pauline Bourdon Sansus, who is a threat,” according to BBC Rugby Weekly.

The 10 [Carla Arbez] is there to move them forward, despite the fact that they focus on kick meters.

They didn’t kick in Bordeaux, which is surprising considering how our back three played against Ireland in our WXV1 warm-up game in September.

“I’ll be surprised if they don’t come with that because they have relied on kicks from 10 in this tournament.”

England needs to keep an eye on quick wing Joanna Grisez, who showed off her sharp finishing skills in the opening win over France in Italy last Saturday, 34-21.

At 10 minutes, Mitchell has switched to Holly Aitchison’s running game, where Saracens fly-half Zoe Harrison, who impressed in victories over Wales and Ireland, for the decisive kick.

With a strong performance, Harrison could fill the gap left behind France’s back three on a large Allianz Stadium pitch, which he can access with ease. A home Rugby World Cup opener in August will take place there.

Former England fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean stated on BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly, “A big, long kicking game where you can pressure France is going to be huge.”

Scotland’s flanker Evie Gallagher faced a constant threat at Leicester’s breakdown, recording three turnovers and finding particular success in the second half to halt England’s ball.

Marlie Packer, a flanker for Scotland, told the BBC, “We could have been more ruthless at the breakdown in the second half.

“Our individual targets are the focus of our efforts,” says the statement.

Prior to the victory over Scotland, England struggled in the first half against Ireland, leading just 7-5 at half-time. The hosts also made crucial turnovers to halt the Red Roses.

In the Six Nations this year, France’s top eight player Teani Feleu has four turnovers, and lock Manae Feleu has three steals in the breakdown.

Les Bleues will likely take note of Gallagher’s top-scoring overall stats and target England’s breakdown to stop quick ball reaching their clinical outside backs.

In each of their four Six Nations victories this year, England’s pack has been dominant in front.

The second-half sin-binning of England’s prop Niamh O’Dowd helped them score two tries and turn the game in their favor after Ireland’s scrum dominance.

Mitchell was unhappy with his side’s set-piece, and Scotland scored their first try against England since 2023 on Saturday with a powerful maul drive.

“We had a little untidiness,” the captain said. He claimed that we occasionally let them off the hook and that our maul could have been better.

Manae Feleu, France’s second row, has won two lineouts this campaign, only to lose to England locks Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan. He will be eager to disrupt the Red Roses’ line-out and maul, which was so crucial to their preparation for the World Cup final in 2022.

With lock Madoussou Fall and Manae Feleu all standing carriers, France’s pack will want to compete with the champions in the loose as well.

Les Bleues’ previous three victories have resulted in a 6-2 bench spilt to keep their pack strong for the entire 80 minutes, which they have used again on Saturday for the game.

Daley-Mclean continued, “I believe that France is one of the few packs in the Six Nations that can rival what England can do.”

Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland, and others.

France: Bourgeois, Grisez, Menager, Vernier, Arbwy, Arbez, Bourdon, Brosseau, Bigot, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Feleu.

Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Queyroi, and others are their replacements.

Referee: New Zealand’s Maggie Cogger-Orr.