Six Nations: Red Roses face formidable France side to secure Grand Slam in tournament decider - talking points

The Red Roses are one game away from winning a 38th consecutive game, securing their eighth consecutive Women's Six Nations title, and completing their fourth consecutive Grand Slam. That is a record that speaks for itself.

The going looks like it has been easy on paper - but the reality is somewhat different.

Captain Zoe Stratford is just one of 11 prominent players missing for England due to injury or pregnancy - including eight of the 13 forwards listed in their World Cup final squad - and yet an injury-stricken lineup has still passed every tournament test with flying colours, scoring an average of 60 points in each of their four wins thus far.

Standing in their way are an unbeaten France side. Les Bleues boast a tournament-best defensive record and are coming off an 11-try bonus-point victory against Scotland. They will be no walkovers.

So, Sunday features a repeat of last year's epic Grand Slam decider between undoubtedly the two best teams in the tournament - Sky Sports tells you everything you need to know ahead of a huge final Six Nations week...

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Another nail-biting Six Nations Finale?

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England snatched the title at Twickenham 43-42 against France last year, claiming their seventh consecutive tournament win - and their fourth consecutive Grand Slam - in what was one of the most extraordinary games in Women's Six Nations history.

Despite England's eventual victory, it was their opponent's comeback - having been down 31-7 after 27 minutes - that took the headlines. France's Joanna Grisez crossed the line in the 79th minute for a late try and a successful conversion closed the deficit down to one point before a fatal knock-on from the restart condemned France to a heartbreaking defeat.

But Les Bleues have good reason to be more optimistic this time around. England have conceded 76 points through four rounds in 2026, compared to just 29 at this stage last year, including 33 in their last match against Italy - a stark contrast to France's 49 points across the tournament.

The retirements of senior players including Emily Scarratt and Abby Dow, in conjunction with the absence of Zoe Stratford and Abbie Ward, have forced England to field a less-established side - not least due to the aforementioned injury trouble - but the return of World Cup-winning flanker Sadia Kabeya and back-row Maddie Feaunati will give John Mitchell's side a boost heading into Sunday.

The Red Roses also face the added challenge of playing away in Bordeaux, where a record crowd is expected to welcome them in France's rugby heartland in what will be a daunting atmosphere.

"France are a quality side, and we've got a huge amount of respect for what they bring and the way they play the game," said head coach John Mitchell.

"To face them in Bordeaux - in the heart of the south-west, a region so passionate about rugby with a vocal home crowd behind them - is exactly the sort of challenge the girls relish, embrace and walk towards."

England have seven straight tournament wins under their belt. There's no doubt that, considering the circumstances, their eighth could be their most impressive yet.

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Jones: Crowd will be a massive factor

England captain Megan Jones, speaking to Sky Sports:

"I think the crowd this weekend is going to be massive, both for France and us. I think they either come with a hostile environment or they're very loud, lots of bands playing.

"We've actually been training with the sounds on in the background to make sure that we're a little bit accustomed to it.

"There's actually quite a lot of calm about us, which is good because I think we trust what we have. We believe in the game we play as well. So it's definitely a lot of calm.

"I know there's excitement. We love playing the French and vice-versa. So it's going to be physical. It's going to be a huge, huge Test match. And yeah, we're looking forward to it.

"[France] have got an amazing forward pack. Their 9 bulldogs, perfect as well for them. She always creates opportunity. She's a threat.

"Carla Arbez as well, she's been playing really well. The 10 for them. So if we can mitigate that connection, I think that'll help. If we can also slow down their ball, that'll also help. But it's a game of rugby.

"We just need to score more points than them and hopefully we'll come out on top."

Elsewhere in the Six Nations...

Wales vs Italy

Wales are still searching for that crucial first win under new coach Sean Lynn.

The end of the tournament marks a difficult period for Welsh rugby - in the women's, men's and the domestic game - and a tough final match of the tournament looms as they take on Italy.

Their defence will be key. They have conceded 157 points this campaign and face a buoyed Italy side who, despite their loss, are coming into the game after scoring five tries against England and having secured a record 44-12 win over Lynn's side in last year's edition.

"We've got the right people in the right place, it's just about us being able to execute what they're asking," said Wales scrum-half Keira Bevan, who came out to publicly back Lynn ahead of Sunday's clash. "Yes, we probably haven't had the wins we want, but we are performing and getting better every game."

Whether that belief will lead to a win for Lynn's team remains to be seen.

Ireland vs Scotland

The chase for third place is on for an Ireland side who'll fancy their chances against a Scottish side coming off the back of a disappointing campaign and conceding 11 tries against France in their last match.

Sione Fukuoka's side head into the clash following three successive defeats, with injuries disrupting their momentum under their new coach. There is cause for encouragement, though - scoring four tries against a vaunted French defence last time out was four times what any other opponent who had faced Les Bleues had managed thus far.

Ireland, though, are undoubtedly the favourites. They boast a much stronger lineup than their opponents, led by hard-hitting captain Erin King who leads the tournament in tackles, and star back Aoife Wafer, who bagged a brace of tries last time out.

With an estimated record-breaking crowd at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the task could be too tall for a Scotland side low on morale.

Women's Six Nations final-day fixtures

Sunday May 17

• Wales vs Italy - Cardiff Arms Park (12.15pm kick-off)
• Ireland vs Scotland - Aviva Stadium, Dublin (2.30pm kick-off)
• France vs England - Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (4.45pm kick-off)

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