England will try to claim an eighth straight Women’s Six Nations title on Sunday when they face France, the only side with a realistic chance of stopping a run that now stands at 37 games. Last year’s decider was settled by a single point, and France have spent the past six years finishing second to England in the championship.
Ellie Kildunne is again part of a side that has won all its matches despite being depleted by retirements, pregnancy and injury. England have still scored the most points in the tournament, with Marlie Packer the top try scorer, while France have matched them with a record that has been built on control and pressure: the most carries, the most offloads, the most defenders beaten, the fewest missed tackles, the most dominant contacts and an 88.4% tackle success rate.
The numbers set up a final that looks tighter than England’s recent dominance might suggest. France have had the better of the physical and territorial battle across the tournament, and their attack has been sharp enough to test England’s defence for the full 80 minutes. Pauline Bourdon Sansus has been central to that French structure for years, while Anaïs Grando has added four tries in four games and also produced a covering tackle against Ireland that held up Fiona Tuite over the line.
England, though, still carry the edge of experience and the comfort of having found ways to win even when not at their sharpest. Zoe Harrison has landed 23 of 24 kicks, and Sadia Kabeya is back from injury, adding another option to a squad that has already had to absorb several changes. That resilience has mattered, but it has not hidden every flaw. England conceded the most points they ever have in the Six Nations against a team that was not France in the match against Italy, a reminder that their standards have not been as clean as their results.
There is also a selection gamble inside England’s own camp. Packer will start on the bench against France, a sign that the holders are still managing bodies and roles as the season reaches its biggest day. She said the group had to stop overthinking and trust instinct, warning that once a player hesitates, the other team gains the advantage. She also pointed to the defensive maul as a problem that had to be addressed after issues in the Wales game and again against Italy, especially with some players still learning their roles at international level.
John Mitchell’s message was simpler. Asked about the threat France posed, he said England would just score more. That is the kind of confidence that comes from a 37-match winning run. But it is also the kind of line that will be tested immediately if France bring the consistency they have shown in the tournament and keep England under pressure for the full match. France have had the tools to challenge England for a while. What has been missing is the 80-minute performance to finish the job at the moment it matters most.
