Rugby

John Mitchell: England ready for ‘arm-wrestle’ with France for Six Nations title

The Red Roses are bidding for a sixth successive title.

England head coach John Mitchell is ready for a rousing Women’s Six Nations finale
England head coach John Mitchell is ready for a rousing Women’s Six Nations finale (Gareth Fuller/PA)
By PA Sport Staff

England are ready for an “arm-wrestle” when they bid to land a sixth successive Guinness Women’s Six Nations title on Saturday.

Unbeaten rivals France stand between the Red Roses and a third Grand Slam on the bounce, with the Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux set for a crowd of more than 30,000.

England have reeled off four bonus-point wins in a row, rattling up 228 points and conceding just 20 across emphatic victories over Italy, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

France, though, are just one point behind and ready to pounce on any slip-up in the quest for silverware.

“We have been expecting an arm-wrestle for some time,” England head coach John Mitchell said.

“We have been wanting that, we’ve been asking for it and we are certainly going to get it on the weekend.

“This game is going to give us really good feedback. It’s important to experience that, and it will hold us in good stead.

Maddie Feaunati was among England’s try-scorers against Ireland at Twickenham
Maddie Feaunati was among England’s try-scorers against Ireland at Twickenham (Gareth Fuller/PA)

“France will be buoyed by the fact they are at home, but we are actually looking forward to embracing that challenge.

“It is another full capacity stadium, which gives us energy too. That is what drives the girls – they want to play in front of full capacity.”

Scotland will be guaranteed an impressive third-place finish if they beat Ireland in Belfast, but Wales appear destined for the wooden spoon.

Wales are five points adrift of Ireland in fifth, so a bonus-point victory against Principality Stadium visitors Italy is required to give them any chance of not propping up the final table.

It will be Wales’ first stand-alone fixture at the 74,500-capacity Cardiff venue, and they are hopeful of a five-figure attendance.

Wales captain Hannah Jones said: “The fans have really stuck with us, and that has been so important to us.

“This is when we need them most, when we need their support, because these are tough times.

“Losing hurts us, and we want to put that right and we are determined to do so against Italy – for ourselves, but also the fans.”