- author, alastair telfer
- role, bbc sports journalist
Women's Six Nations: france vs england
venue: Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux Date: Saturday 27th April Kick-off: 16:45 BST
coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online. Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. Read text commentary, highlights and reports on his BBC Sport website and app.
They will play France away for the Grand Slam.
Saturday's game in Bordeaux was one that was scheduled for John Mitchell when he took over as England's head coach, even if the New Zealander himself doesn't admit it.
The challenge for a first Women's Six Nations title and England's sixth in a row could not be tougher.
Winning is non-negotiable when you take charge of the Red Roses. He is expected to win the Grand Slam for the third consecutive year.
The stakes were also high last year when England welcomed France to Twickenham in front of their biggest-ever women's rugby crowd in Simon Middleton's final game as manager.
They nearly blew a 33-point halftime lead and won the game 38-33. This was a warning that France, no matter what form it was in, was always a threat.
“If you're thinking about the old team, it could be a really tough battle, but I actually think we've improved a lot in this Six Nations.
“Things are going well and we just have to make sure it stays that way.”
“You can dial up again”
Throughout the season, Mitchell has seen his team grow in demand for a faster-tempo offense.
In the opening match against Italy, a series of mistakes made in the first half made it seem like it might take some time for him to put this style into practice, but by the fourth round everything went well and Mitchell played in front of 48,778 people at Twickenham. His side scored 14 tries against Ireland.
Stepping up at the biggest opportunity is a character trait that runs through the veins of this England team in the Six Nations.
The victory marked their 28th consecutive victory in the championship, a record for both the men's and women's tournaments since losing to France in 2018.
The Red Roses will step up their game when it matters most and with a huge crowd of around 28,000 expected in Bordeaux, an extra level of intensity is needed now more than ever.
“We've gotten better as the tournament has gone on, but who said there was a limit to the style we produced last weekend?” Mitchell said.
“We have the ability to raise it again. It certainly won't stop. It will continue to evolve.”
The attack has been helped by the introduction of experienced coach Brian Ashton, with the former England men's coach playing a “small role” in the “coaching development” and assisting young coaches Sarah Hunter and Lou Meadows. are doing.
“Brian doesn't always go through the coaches for advice. He can tell the players what he wants to say,” Packer added.
'I don't really care' – Mitchell on discipline concerns
Big test matches end in close contests. In three of the last four Six Nations meetings, a single score has separated the teams.
Flanker Packer added: “We want the mindset to step on our throats and be ruthless.”
“If we take it off at any time, they can show the French flair. We're not going to let them play and if we can't give them the ball, they won't be able to play. .”
With a perfect four wins for bonus points, 208 goals scored in attack and only 20 conceded, England are at the top of every win statistic required to be favorites.
However, red cards against Italy and Scotland and at least one sin bin in every game have yet to be penalized by the opposing countries.
France have half as many cards as England in the Championship and have the attacking ability to punish further mistakes in tackling technique.
But playing on the edge and getting the ball back as quickly as possible remains a top priority for Mitchell.
It's a calculated risk he's willing to take, even if the margins are that large.
“We're going to continue to play with an edge. I don't really care what people say about discipline,” Mitchell told Rugby Union Weekly.
“Ultimately, the game for us is to be physical and stop the team's momentum.”
What happens in case of a tie?
Despite both teams winning all games, France missed out on a bonus point in their narrow win over Scotland and will enter the Grand Slam deciding match with a one-point lead over England.
England also have a 114 point advantage over their opponents, so a draw would mean the Red Roses would clinch the title.
what is happening?
- England can extend their winning record in the Women's Six Nations to 29 games.
- The Red Roses can claim their sixth consecutive Six Nations title and third consecutive Grand Slam.
- Victory also means England have won 13 of their last 13 matches against France in all competitions.
lineup
France: Boulard; Grisez, Condé, Bernier, M Menager. Cairoi, Bourdon Sansus. Deshay, Sochato, Halfoui, Fereu (captain), Fall, Escudero, Hermet, R. Menager.
Replacement: Riphoneau, Mwembe, Joyeux, Feliu, Gros, Chambon, Chofani, Jaquet.
England: Kildan; Dow, Jones, Hurd, Bleach. Aitchison, Hunt. Botterman, Cockayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Kabeya, M. Packer (Capt.), Matthews.
Replacement: Powell, Carson, Clifford, Ward, Faunaty, L. Packer, Scarratt, Gregson.
Referee: Maggie Cogger Orr (New Zealand)
