After resting a few of their aces against Wales, France are playing with a full pack – as you would expect. Lineup changes include the return of Madoussou Fall at lock and Gaëlle Hermet, the former captain, at flanker.
One late swap: Joanna Grisez is out, replaced on the wing by Anne-Cécile Ciofani. That’s a blow: Grisez scored two tries against the Welsh last time out.
Danger players include the powerhouse Gabrielle Vernier and her fellow centre Nassira Konde. The No 8 Romane Ménager – whose twin sister, Marine, starts on the wing – is another physical threat, while fly-half Lina Queyroi offers silkier skills.
England are aiming for a 29th successive Women’s Six Nations victory. The last side to beat them in this competition? France at home in 2018, naturally. This is the team looking to repeat that trick.
France XV: Boulard; Ciofani, Konde, Vernier, M Ménager; Queyroi, Bourdon Sansus; Deshaye, Sochat, Khalfaoui, Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Hermet, R Ménager.
Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Joyeux, Feleu, Gros, Chambon, Berthoumieu, Jacquet.
A strong lineup with minimal changes. Lark Atkin-Davies is injured, so Amy Cokayne comes back in after suspension. Morwenna Talling retains her place after Rosie Galligan picked up a thumb injury in the warm-up against Ireland.
The player to watch, among many, is Ellie Kildunne: just the nine tries for her in this Six Nations so far. That’s more than double anyone apart from her teammate Abby Dow (five) and Kildunne has been this tournament’s standout star.
Below are the Red Roses starters aiming to win a third successive grand slam, but the real sign of England’s strength in depth is the bench. Emily Scarratt and Abbie Ward ready to come on when needed? Oof.
England XV: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Kabeya, M Packer (capt), Matthews.
Replacements: Powell, Carson, Clifford, Ward, Feaunati, L Packer, Scarratt, Gregson.
Late drama! Today’s early kick-off saw Wales snatch victory at the last, edging out Italy 22-20. In front of 10,592 in Cardiff, Sisilia Tuipulotu’s try in the final minutes levelled the scores before Lleucu George’s winning kick – redemption after her late miss against Scotland cost Wales a draw earlier in the tournament.
It’s still the wooden spoon for the hosts (a bonus-point win was needed to have any chance of avoiding that fate), but they will be relieved not to end this Six Nations winless.
“It is massive,” Ioan Cunningham, the head coach, told BBC Wales. “There is so much work, energy, effort gone into this campaign and things haven’t gone our way. It means so much to us all and we are just so delighted we managed to get across the line.”
The 2024 Women’s Six Nations has saved the best for last: a winner-takes-all grand slam decider between France and England in Bordeaux. Le Crunch!
The Red Roses are the form team, John Mitchell’s side improving, evolving and culminating in a 14-try demolition of Ireland last time out. They have become increasingly clinical as this competition has gone on and the back three – Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Jess Breach – scored eight tries between them against the Irish. Yikes.
Les Bleues have had endure a bit more, showing their best in flashes. But they have raised their game in key moments and will be backed by a vociferous 27,000+ fans at Stade Chaban-Delmas. They’re a physical side, a menace at the breakdown and will be fired up as underdogs.
However it’s the visitors who have to be wary of ill-discipline: two red cards and two yellow cards have been dished out to England in this Six Nations. They didn’t matter a jot in their four previous cakewalks, but it’s a different situation in France.
Also, while England have crushed all before them, there’s an argument that France having been in a few scrapes – particularly in Scotland where they were behind at half-time – means they are more battle-tested if this goes close. Though you get the feeling England’s players are relishing the prospect of a challenge.
It kick-offs at 4.45pm BST (5.45pm local time). Starting XVs and live updates are on their way!
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