‘World class’ Sing ready for Grand Slam decider

While taking a crochet class, which is a favorite pastime in England’s camp, Red Roses full-back Emma Sing did not anticipate receiving a call from head coach John Mitchell.

The preparation for the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday was completed on Monday evening.

The 24-year-old back hasn’t played since the team’s win over Italy in the opening round, but he was content to be playing in the standings, falling short of Ellie Kildunne, the year’s best player.

But when she realized Mitchell had missed a call, her thoughts quickly turned from crochet hooks to back three calls.

Sing and Mitchell got in touch with Mitchell to learn that Kildunne would start the Grand Slam final.

Mitchell described Sing as “world class” and claimed Saturday’s game as an ideal opportunity to give Kildunne’s deputy a proper workout before the Rugby World Cup.

When asked if France would air Sing in the air on BBC Rugby Union Weekly, Mitchell responded with “Good luck if they do.”

Emma Sing, who runs hard and straight and is elusive, is a very hard tackle and outstanding in the air.

She will also cut you open, she says.

Sing won the first World Cup in 2022 and has since amassed 288 points for Gloucester-Hartpury in the last two Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) seasons.

However, her standout moments against Italy came with the ball in hand, with three line-breaks and a try in the corner coming off of her seventh cap, which demonstrated a well-rounded game suitable for international rugby.

The Red Roses are chasing a 15th straight victory over France to claim their seventh Six Nations title and fourth Grand Slam championship in a row. They are on a 24-game winning streak.

Les Bleues last visited Twickenham in 2023, where they scored 33 points in the second half to avenge an incredible comeback.

With a 42-21 victory in Bordeaux, Mitchell’s side held on to win the previous year’s match.

Although Mitchell split his three playmakers, Holly Aitchison was in command of the victory on that day and held onto the 10 shirt this campaign.

Helena Rowland, the utility back who was named on Saturday’s bench, started one game at fly-half against Italy, while Aitchison was chosen to start at 10 in Scotland’s hammering last Saturday.

Zoe Harrison, a player for Saracens, won the World Cup final in 2022 and advanced her case to victories over Wales and Ireland, with the 27-year-old chosen to start the match-up because of her effective kicking style.

A wise decision is appropriate for knockout-style rugby, and a strong performance might earn Harrison a spot in the 10 shirt, but Mitchell’s is not that easy.

The equation is clear, but I don’t know what Helena Rowland or Zoe Harrison can do, Mitchell said, “The end is the World Cup, and I know what Holly can do.”

“It would be foolish of me to anticipate that 2025 might not be the year we might need one of them because we don’t have the other two.”

England will have just one more opportunity to win a trophy than they did in the World Cup final in September on Saturday.

Harrison explained to BBC Sport, “Playing at Allianz Stadium and being a Grand Slam decider creates more of a buzz.”

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.