England forward trio return for Grand Slam decider
TL;DR
England's forward trio, Lilli Ives Campion, Maddie Feaunati, and Sadia Kabeya, return for the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France after missing the previous match due to injury. This match is crucial for maintaining their 37-Test winning streak.
Key points
- England's trio returns for the Grand Slam decider
- Players missed previous match due to injury
- England seeks fifth successive clean sweep
Mentioned in this story
England have reinforced their pack for the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France with the return of World Cup winners Lilli Ives Campion, Maddie Feaunati and Sadia Kabeya for Sunday's match in Bordeaux.
The trio missed last Saturday's win over Italy through injury.
With a raft of players sidelined, England have had to dig into their reserves, particularly up front, to maintain a 37-Test winning streak and stay on course for a record-extending fifth successive clean sweep of the tournament.
However, the Red Roses are closer to full strength than they have been since their opening-round win over Ireland.
Ellie Kildunne is restored to her more accustomed full-back role, with Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald completing an experienced back three.
Zoe Harrison, who has been excellent off the tee and kicking from hand throughout the tournament, keeps her place as the starting fly-half ahead of Holly Aitchison.
Delaney Burns, who played her first England games since 2023 during this campaign, forms a second-row partnership with Ives Campion.
Burton, who switched to number eight after Feaunati pulled out of the line-up in Parma, partners the Exeter star in the back row, with Kabeya, who won player of the match in the September's World Cup final, at open-side flanker.
Liz Crake, who won her most recent cap in 2023 and has returned to working as a dentist alongside her rugby, has been named on the bench after Saracens team-mate Kelsey Clifford suffered a leg injury.
England have won their past 17 meetings with France in all competitions, but were pushed to within a point in a 43-42 victory in last year's Six Nations finale.
France, who have grown into the tournament as a new-look backline have found their feet, will be roared on by a crowd that is expected to set a new record for a Women's Six Nations match in France at the 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantique.
England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (c), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Ives Campion, Burns, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati
Replacements: Powell, Crake, Muir, Short, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison, Sing.
Q&A
Who are the England players returning for the Grand Slam decider?
Lilli Ives Campion, Maddie Feaunati, and Sadia Kabeya are returning for the match.
What is at stake for England in the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider?
England aims to extend their winning streak to 38 Tests and achieve a record-extending fifth successive clean sweep of the tournament.
When is the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France?
The match is scheduled for Sunday in Bordeaux.
