10 h. ago Narrow win ‘ideal’ for England’s World Cup preparations, says Mitchell

Red Roses win Six Nations after 43-42 victory over FranceCoach believes Twickenham experience will help playersJohn Mitchell said England’s one-point win over France was the “ideal” test for his side with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon.The Red Roses won their seventh consecutive Women’s Six Nations title after holding off a late French comeback at Twickenham. It was by far the closest match for England in this tournament, with their other four matches resulting in dominant wins. The lack of competition that the Red Roses face have led some to believe they needed a loss or a close game to learn from in order to know the answers if challenged at the upcoming World Cup. Continue reading...

Economics

10 h. ago John Mitchell explains why England’s Women’s Six Nations close shave was ‘ideal’ for Red Roses

England secured a seventh successive title despite a major scare against France

Economics

11 h. ago England survive mighty fright against France to claim Women’s Six Nations grand slam again

England 43-42 France: The Red Roses just about clung on after a thunderous comeback from the visitors at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

Events

12 h. ago England hold on to claim Women’s Six Nations grand slam with one

England 43-42 FranceDow and Sing score twice before visitors’ late fightbackThere was a moment after France’s Joanna Grisez scored where fans were wondering if this would be the day England’s stranglehold on this competition came to an end. The Red Roses were 31-7 up after 23 minutes, but a resolute France cut back the lead to one point in the final minute. A French knock-on ended the game and the sheer pressure the hosts were under was plain to see by the wild celebrations by the England players at full-time. Despite the nervous ending for England, they not only retained the trophy at Twickenham but claimed a seventh successive title. England’s victory stretched their winning run in this tournament to 34 games and 25 in all competitions.The Red Roses are used to lifting silverware, but the trophy they are hunting will be on the line in the next game they could play here in five months’ time in the Rugby World Cup final. That has eluded them since 2014 and it remains their main targ...

Politics

15 h. ago England v France: Women’s Six Nations grand slam decider – live

Live news from the 4.45pm BST kick-off at TwickenhamSarah Rendell’s preview | And you can drop Luke an emailThere are two games to think about at Twickenham on Saturday, the one the Red Roses will play in, and the one they want to play in. The first is their grand slam decider against France, which kicks off at 4.45pm. The second – at the same venue, five months and one day later – is the World Cup final which, if everything goes as the team hopes at the Stadium of Light, Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton Gate and the other grounds they will visit between now and then, will be the next game they play at the home of English rugby.Mitchell makes nine changes. The women’s world player of the year, Ellie Kildunne, is ruled out by injury so Gloucester-Hartpury’s Emma Sing will start at full-back. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago First Europe, then the world: Twickenham awaits in year of twin peaks for England

Grand slam clash is vital stepping stone in Red Roses’ quest to reclaim the World Cup crown they last held in 2014There are two games to think about at Twickenham on Saturday, the one the Red Roses will play in, and the one they want to play in. The first is their grand slam decider against France, which kicks off at 4.45pm. The second – at the same venue, five months and one day later – is the World Cup final which, if everything goes as the team hopes at the Stadium of Light, Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton Gate and the other grounds they will visit between now and then, will be the next game they play at the home of English rugby.The Red Roses head coach, John Mitchell, has been around long enough to know the smart thing to do is separate the two. “We’ve got to be careful focusing on the World Cup final because we’ve got to earn the right to contest it,” Mitchell said this week. “It’s good to have the chance to be back at our home stadium, but it’s an isolated situation, that’s the wa...

Politics

39 h. ago Zoe Harrison urges England to embrace the occasion in grand slam clash with France

Harrison has got the nod at fly half as the Red Roses battle their fiercest foes at Allianz Stadium for Women’s Six Nations glory

Politics

46 h. ago The vital opportunity that the Red Roses must take in Women’s Six Nations grand slam decider

England face a necessary test against their fiercest foes France in front of another good crowd at Twickenham

Politics

63 h. ago Ellie Kildunne ruled out of grand slam decider as Zoe Harrison starts at fly

Harrison edges out Holly Aitchison for the starting No 10 shirt as England take on France at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

Politics

64 h. ago Ellie Kildunne ruled out of grand slam decider as Zoe Harrison starts at fly half for Red Roses

Harrison edges out Holly Aitchison for the starting 10 shirt as England take on France at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

Politics

64 h. ago Six Nations: England star Ellie Kildunne to miss Grand Slam decider after suffering hamstring injury

England will be without their star full back as they push for a seventh straight Six Nations title

Events

7 d. ago Holly Aitchison sparkles in latest England rout as fly half decision looms

England 59-7 Scotland: Fly half Aitchison unlocked England’s attacking game in another thrashing of overmatched opposition

Politics

7 d. ago Red Roses rout Scotland to set up Six Nations grand slam decider

It will all come down to the final day of the Six Nations

Politics

7 d. ago Rampant Red Roses rout Scotland to set up grand slam decider with France

England 59-7 ScotlandTwickenham finale will decide destination of titleEngland felled Scotland in a devastating manner to set up a grand slam decider against France in the Women’s Six Nations as they bid for their seventh successive title. The 59-7 victory was the team’s 33rd consecutive win in the tournament.England were heavy favourites heading into the match as Scotland have never beaten the Red Roses in the tournament, with their last win across all competitions against their rivals coming in 1999. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Marlie Packer recalled as centre Jade Shekells makes first start for Red Roses

Former skipper Packer is reinstalled at openside flanker in another heavily

Politics

2 w. ago How Red Roses star Abby Dow emerged from sister’s shadow to become England’s wing wonder

As she prepares to win her 50th cap, Dow opens up to Harry Latham-Coyle about dreading game day, studying the world’s best wings and how being the youngest sibling shaped her rugby journey

Politics

2 w. ago Wullaert double for Belgium sinks England in Women’s Nations League

England’s puzzling, Jekyll-and-Hyde form continued as Sarina Wiegman’s side were beaten in Belgium despite a world-class debut goal from the ­Lionesses striker Michelle Agyemang.Brought on as a substitute for the final 10 minutes with England trailing 3-1, the 19-year-old’s first two touches of senior international football saw her control the ball with her thigh and volley home an outstanding, instinctive finish that gave the visitors hope of a late comeback, but they were unable to add to that magical moment and were left to rue their poor first-half performance. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Belgium vs England LIVE: Result and reaction as Lionesses suffer Nations League defeat

Belgium 3-2 England: A dream start for the hosts helped them get revenge for a 5-0 drubbing in Bristol last week

Politics

2 w. ago Belgium vs England LIVE: Mead strikes from penalty spot but Lionesses trail in Nations League

After thrashing their hosts 5-0 in Bristol on Friday, England head to Belgium in search of more success

Events

2 w. ago Prop Mackenzie Carson ruled out of rest of Women’s Six Nations in England injury blow

The Gloucester-Hartpury loosehead suffered an ankle injury against Wales

Events