For a third consecutive year, the outcome of England vs France will be the final and deciding match of the women’s Six Nations.
And, like last year, both teams will head into this game with the possibility of a grand slam still on the line.
Favourites England are bidding for a 19th straight victory in the competition, to go alongside a fifth straight championship title, while France are hoping to get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2018 at Twickenham tomorrow.
In what is going to be the biggest attendance at a women’s rugby game in history, more than 53,000 people are set to attend at HQ as the sport builds closer towards its aspiration of filling the stadium for the 2025 Rugby World Cup Final.
It will mark the last game that Simon Middleton will be in charge of the team, with the hope of coaching his side to a fifth grand slam and sixth Six Nations title, with the boss also able to reflect on reaching two World Cup Finals as head coach and winning one as an assistant in 2014.
And French great Jessy Trémoulière will be looking to go out on a high as she calls time on her playing career, no doubt hoping to repeat the feat of her last-minute winner against England in 2018, which then had a world record crowd for a women’s match of 17,440.
“We don’t really focus on that specific part of it,” Maud Muir said of Trémoulière’s retirement, as she spoke on The Rugby Paper Podcast.
“We try to get the same mindset as for a typical game, but obviously there’s underlying nerves for these sorts of games. No-one wants to lose.
“But although we want to win, we also want to be challenged. These games help us improve because we don’t get them that often.”
With talismanic skipper Marlie Packer fit to play after an injury scare against Ireland in their victory last week, England are able to name as strong a team as they have all tournament.
“I’ve done a different training load this week from the rest of the squad but I’ve come through what I need to be at my best for this week,” she said.
Hannah Botterman is also able to play despite having an injury problem of her own, with a knee problem threatening her inclusion in the deciding game.
Meanwhile France make four changes, with three in the pack and one in the backline.
Rose Bernadou comes in at tighthead prop for her first start of this year’s competition, replacing Assia Khalfaoui, while Manaé Feleu replaces Maëlle Picut, packing down at second row alongside skipper Audrey Forlani.
Axelle Berthoumieu replaces Romane Ménager in the back row, shifting Charlotte Escudero to number eight, as fit-again Pauline Bourdon comes in for Alexandra Chambon in the sole change in the backs at scrum-half.
England: Kildunne, Dow, Rowland, Heard, MacDonald, Aitchison, L Packer; Botterman, Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Beckett, Kabeya, M Packer (c), Matthews.
Substitutions: Powell, Carson, Muir, Cleall, Talling, Hunt, Reed, Breach
France: Boulard, Banet, Ménager, Vernier, Llorens, Trémoulière, Bourdon; Brosseau, Sochat, Bernadou, Feleu, Forlani (c), Berthoumieu, Hermet, Escudero
Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Khalfaoui, Ménager, Gros, Chambon, Arbez, Filopon
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