England head coach John Mitchell believes a nail-biting victory to complete Grand Slam glory was the ideal test ahead of their bid for World Cup glory on home soil later this year.
The Red Roses claimed a seventh successive Guinness Women’s Six Nations title and a historic fourth consecutive Grand Slam victory by beating France 43-42 at the Allianz Stadium, where they were left scrambling late on to extend their unbeaten record.
England scored five tries in the opening 23 minutes to hold a 24-point advantage but let their commanding advantage slip in the second half, with France closing on a shock victory after two late tries until the Red Roses held on for the 55th win in 56 Tests.
England ran in seven tries during their narrow victory against France
“This is ideal for us,” Mitchell said. “After a really good start we could have put them away but they got energy through the middle and that’s what French sides do. Once they get into you they feel success.
“I thought we’d have to win the game three or four times but I think we had to win it nine times. We’d done enough to complete the goal.
“These types of games do help us. We get them occasionally. But you also have to understand that the Red Roses are unique at the moment and have been for a while. Teams tend to perform against us.
England are unbeaten in the Women’s Six Nations since 2018
“That will continue to happen in 2025 and that will help us raise our game. And we have to raise our game, which is really clear.”
England had only conceded five tries in the opening four matches of their Six Nations campaign but yielded six against France, who also became the first side to score in the final 20 minutes against the Red Roses this season.
“I wasn’t happy with the defence,” Mitchell added. “They got through us in the middle too easily.
“We adjusted at half-time and the girls did a good job in that area in the second half. But the edge defence was not the standard of the Red Roses.”
France threatened their first away victory over England since 2015
England will be favourites to win the World Cup for the first time since 2014, having finished runners-up in five of the last six editions and having won every Test in the Women’s Six Nations since 2018.
Mitchell regularly rotated his XV throughout the campaign, making nine changes for their top-of-the-table clash with France, with the head coach e
“After today, 95 per cent of the girls who are likely to go to the World Cup will have an experience of Allianz Stadium, before this game that wouldn’t have been the case,” Mitchell explained.
“That is a situation we’ve planned for, to make sure the broader group have had an experience here.
“We’ve matured enormously in that area and if we hadn’t practised those things going into a home World Cup, when that reality happens you aren’t ready for it. I think our girls are definitely ready for what’s to come and whatever jobs they’re given.”
What’s next?
England have been drawn with Australia, USA and Samoa for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, held on home soil for the second time.
The Red Roses will play in the opening game on August 22 against the United States at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, with their remaining two pool matches being hosted at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton and Brighton’s Amex Stadium.
British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports
Watch the Lions tour of Australia live on Sky Sports in 2025
Sky Sports will exclusively show the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up matches to be shown exclusively live.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Steelers reach 1-year deal with WR Robert Woods amid Aaron Rodgers, QB search
The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured a new target for whoever their quarterback will be this next season.The Steelers struck a one-year, $2 million deal with veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll join an already solid wide receivers room in Pittsburgh that includes both George Pickens and DK Metcalf, who was traded to Pittsburgh in March.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWoods had 203 receiving yards and didn’t score last season, his second with the Texans. Woods will now enter his 13th season in the league this fall, and the Steelers will mark his fifth NFL team. The Buffalo Bills first selected Woods with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of USC, and then he spent time with both the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans before landing in Houston.Woods won’t be the […]
Ceará x Palmeiras: saiba onde assistir ao jogo da Copa do Brasil
Ceará x Palmeiras: onde assistir ao jogo da Copa do Brasil (Foto: Gabriel Silva/ Ceará SC) Nesta quarta-feira (30), o Ceará recebe o Palmeiras na Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza, às 19h30 (de Brasília), pela partida de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil. A partir desta fase, os confrontos (definidos em sorteio) são disputados em formato de mata-mata, com duelos de ida e volta e, em caso de igualdade no marcador na soma dos resultados, a vaga nas oitavas de final será decidida nas cobranças de pênaltis. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O segundo e decisivo jogo entre Vozão e Verdão está programado para acontecer no dia 22 de maio, também às 19h30, no Allianz Parque, em São Paulo. Como assistir Ceará x Palmeiras AO VIVO A partida na Arena Castelão será transmitida ao vivo e com exclusividade para todo o Brasil pelo canal Prime Video. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Prime […]
Jimmy Butler reportedly will play in Game 4 of Warriors vs. Rockets after missing time with pelvic contusion
The Golden State Warriors will reportedly have one of their key starters back on the floor on Monday.Jimmy Butler, who has been out with a pelvic contusion, will play in Game 4 on Monday night as the Warriors take on the Houston Rockets, per NBA insider Chris Haynes. Butler missed Saturday's Game 3 matchup with the injury.Golden State currently leads the series 2-1.This story will be updated.
Sormani se revolta com titular do Santos: “Energia negativa”
Santos em ação pelo Campeonato Paulista 2025. Foto: Divulgação/SFC Sormani detonou o atacante Guilherme e pediu a saída do jogador. Titular do Santos, ele não vem correspondendo em campo e mais uma vez teve uma atuação apagada dentro do Brasileirão Série A, dessa vez contra o Red Bull Bragantino. “Aquele indolente do Guilherme no lado esquerdo fazendo porcaria nenhuma. Ele não sai do jogo, que coisa impressionante. O cara não tem mais condições de jogar no Santos, tem que vender esse cara, emprestar, doar… Faz uma vaquinha para pagar a multa dele e mandar embora”, iniciou dizendo. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Chega, não dá mais. Um jogador lento e que só toca de lado, ele não arrisca nada, é um medroso. O que esse cara tem? Não é possível. A torcida está brava com ele, fica uma energia negativa no estádio quando […]
Jimmy Butler will return to court for Warriors in Game 4 vs. Rockets
Jimmy Butler will return to action for the Golden State Warriors in Monday night’s crucial Game 4 against the Houston Rockets.Butler missed the last seven quarters of the series after falling hard on his tailbone area while grabbing a rebound in the first quarter of Game 2. The Warriors lost that night but survived at home without him in Game 3, firming up a 2-1 series lead.AdvertisementButler feels the urgency in this moment on both the calendar and his career, and has been pushing to get back as soon as possible from a deep glute contusion.He worked out prior to Game 3 and continued to advance with his treatment and healing to get the green light from Rick Celebrini, the franchise’s lead medical decision maker, for Monday night.Butler played 42 minutes in Game 1. Kerr isn’t sure if Butler will […]
Shedeur Sanders receives comparison to NFL MVP candidate Quarterback ahead of kicking off NFL career with Cleveland Browns
In the end, the Cleveland Browns managed to select Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a dramatic story that stole all the attention during the days the event unfolded in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Now, however, it's time to shift focus to plans ahead of the season's start.Shedeur Sanders starts spending big money at a huge partyAgainst this backdrop, the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback has received high praise, already being compared to a seasoned NFL player who was recently a candidate for MVP.Shedeur Sanders compared to Jared GoffAfter being picked in the fifth round, at the 144th overall spot, Shedeur Sanders received a particularly intriguing comparison-one that should pique Cleveland's interest. If he reaches this level, it could mean the Browns have found their franchise quarterback. ESPN's Matt Miller, in his pro comparison, likened Shedeur to […]
Related
Steelers reach 1-year deal with WR Robert Woods amid Aaron Rodgers, QB search
The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured a new target for whoever their quarterback will be this next season.The Steelers struck a one-year, $2 million deal with veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll join an already solid wide receivers room in Pittsburgh that includes both George Pickens and DK Metcalf, who was traded to Pittsburgh in March.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWoods had 203 receiving yards and didn’t score last season, his second with the Texans. Woods will now enter his 13th season in the league this fall, and the Steelers will mark his fifth NFL team. The Buffalo Bills first selected Woods with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of USC, and then he spent time with both the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans before landing in Houston.Woods won’t be the […]
Ceará x Palmeiras: saiba onde assistir ao jogo da Copa do Brasil
Ceará x Palmeiras: onde assistir ao jogo da Copa do Brasil (Foto: Gabriel Silva/ Ceará SC) Nesta quarta-feira (30), o Ceará recebe o Palmeiras na Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza, às 19h30 (de Brasília), pela partida de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil. A partir desta fase, os confrontos (definidos em sorteio) são disputados em formato de mata-mata, com duelos de ida e volta e, em caso de igualdade no marcador na soma dos resultados, a vaga nas oitavas de final será decidida nas cobranças de pênaltis. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O segundo e decisivo jogo entre Vozão e Verdão está programado para acontecer no dia 22 de maio, também às 19h30, no Allianz Parque, em São Paulo. Como assistir Ceará x Palmeiras AO VIVO A partida na Arena Castelão será transmitida ao vivo e com exclusividade para todo o Brasil pelo canal Prime Video. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Prime […]
Jimmy Butler reportedly will play in Game 4 of Warriors vs. Rockets after missing time with pelvic contusion
The Golden State Warriors will reportedly have one of their key starters back on the floor on Monday.Jimmy Butler, who has been out with a pelvic contusion, will play in Game 4 on Monday night as the Warriors take on the Houston Rockets, per NBA insider Chris Haynes. Butler missed Saturday's Game 3 matchup with the injury.Golden State currently leads the series 2-1.This story will be updated.
Sormani se revolta com titular do Santos: “Energia negativa”
Santos em ação pelo Campeonato Paulista 2025. Foto: Divulgação/SFC Sormani detonou o atacante Guilherme e pediu a saída do jogador. Titular do Santos, ele não vem correspondendo em campo e mais uma vez teve uma atuação apagada dentro do Brasileirão Série A, dessa vez contra o Red Bull Bragantino. “Aquele indolente do Guilherme no lado esquerdo fazendo porcaria nenhuma. Ele não sai do jogo, que coisa impressionante. O cara não tem mais condições de jogar no Santos, tem que vender esse cara, emprestar, doar… Faz uma vaquinha para pagar a multa dele e mandar embora”, iniciou dizendo. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Chega, não dá mais. Um jogador lento e que só toca de lado, ele não arrisca nada, é um medroso. O que esse cara tem? Não é possível. A torcida está brava com ele, fica uma energia negativa no estádio quando […]
Jimmy Butler will return to court for Warriors in Game 4 vs. Rockets
Jimmy Butler will return to action for the Golden State Warriors in Monday night’s crucial Game 4 against the Houston Rockets.Butler missed the last seven quarters of the series after falling hard on his tailbone area while grabbing a rebound in the first quarter of Game 2. The Warriors lost that night but survived at home without him in Game 3, firming up a 2-1 series lead.AdvertisementButler feels the urgency in this moment on both the calendar and his career, and has been pushing to get back as soon as possible from a deep glute contusion.He worked out prior to Game 3 and continued to advance with his treatment and healing to get the green light from Rick Celebrini, the franchise’s lead medical decision maker, for Monday night.Butler played 42 minutes in Game 1. Kerr isn’t sure if Butler will […]
Shedeur Sanders receives comparison to NFL MVP candidate Quarterback ahead of kicking off NFL career with Cleveland Browns
In the end, the Cleveland Browns managed to select Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a dramatic story that stole all the attention during the days the event unfolded in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Now, however, it's time to shift focus to plans ahead of the season's start.Shedeur Sanders starts spending big money at a huge partyAgainst this backdrop, the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback has received high praise, already being compared to a seasoned NFL player who was recently a candidate for MVP.Shedeur Sanders compared to Jared GoffAfter being picked in the fifth round, at the 144th overall spot, Shedeur Sanders received a particularly intriguing comparison-one that should pique Cleveland's interest. If he reaches this level, it could mean the Browns have found their franchise quarterback. ESPN's Matt Miller, in his pro comparison, likened Shedeur to […]
Be the first to leave a comment