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Red Roses

23 Apr 2021 | 6 min |

Red Roses v France Women: preview, teams and stats

As the Red Roses face France in the 2021 Women's Six Nations final here is everything you need to know.

England have made six changes for the fixture including Emily Scarratt being named captain with Sarah Hunter becoming a finisher.

There are returns to the XV for Lark Davies, Abbie Ward, Marlie Packer, Poppy Cleall and Sarah McKenna, while Zoe Harrison makes her first start of the tournament at inside centre. The Red Roses have won back-to-back Women's Six Nations Grand Slams and are looking for a third title in a row.

France have just one change from their side that beat Ireland 56-15 last weekend to top Pool B, as Romane Ménager comes in at No 8.

Gaëlle Hermet captains the side from openside flanker, while wing Caroline Boujard is the Six Nations top try scorer so far. Les Bleues have lost their last seven meetings with the Red Roses and go in search of a first win in England since 2015.

  • When? Saturday, 24 April
  • Kick-off? 1400 BST 
  • Where? Twickenham Stoop, London
  • Coverage? BBC Two, Match Centre on EnglandRugby.com, follow on England Rugby Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

VIEWS FROM THE CAMP

England head coach Simon Middleton: “The diversity of her [Poppy Cleall] game is fantastic – she can carry, fend, is a great distributor and her understanding of the game is pretty phenomenal. I think that goes for both Cleall sisters as they know the game inside out.

“Zoe [Harrison] has a world class kicking game, so depending on how we want to play and how we want to set the team up in playing field position or possession she gives us really good options.

“We’ve talked about how we want to start the game as we know France will start the game big. I’m expecting a few fireworks in the first five minutes.

“The key will be go forward. If you’re playing off slow ball then you’re not going to be able to play a running game against France, as they’ll be out of the blocks and into you."

RED ROSES PREPARE FOR WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS FINAL

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England captain Emily Scarratt: “They’re always incredibly tough, incredibly physical, I don’t think there is going to be any surprises in terms of how hard the game is going to be.

“We’re under no illusions of the challenge at the weekend but it’s a really exciting one for us.

“It’s awesome [being on BBC Two], as we want to showcase what we do and our sport to as many people as possible and we’re not able to do that in terms of fans at the stadium. To have it on terrestrial TV and it being well publicised is great for us.

“You don’t get many opportunities to be in finals and to practice that week and the differences it brings. When you’re out there on the pitch there are no second chances, it’s knockout rugby and there’s a championship on the line, and it doesn’t change the mindset but it’s good practice.” 

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

  • 21 November 2020: England 25-23 France - Twickenham Stadium, London (Autumn International)
  • 14 November 2020: France 10-33 England - Stade des Alpes, Grenoble (Autumn International)
  • 2 February 2020: France 13-19 England - Stade du Hameau, Pau (Six Nations)
  • 16 November 2019: England 17-15 France - Sandy Park, Exeter (Autumn International)
  • 9 November 2019: France 10-20 England - Stade Marcel Michelin, Clermont Ferrand (Autumn International) 
  • 10 July 2019: England 20-18 France - Chula Vista Elite Training Centre, San Diego (Super Series)
  • 10 February 2019: England 41-26 France - Castle Park, Doncaster (Six Nations)
  • 10 March 2018: France 18-17 England - Stade des Alpes, Grenoble (Six Nations)
  • 22 August 2017: England 20-3 France - Kingspan, Belfast (Rugby World Cup)
  • 4 February 2017: England 26-13 France - Twickenham Stadium, London (Six Nations) 

KEY STATS

  • The Red Roses are on a 13-match winning run in the Six Nations
  • Simon Middleton's side have won 23 of their last 24 Tests, with the only defeat coming to New Zealand in the 2019 Women's Super Series
  • The Red Roses are on a seven-match winning streak against France and have won 11 of the last 12 meetings
  • France are looking for their first win in England since 2015
  • England Women have had more Test matches against France than any team in their history, winning 35 of their meetings and losing 14
  • Caroline Boujard is the top try scorer in the competition so far crossing five times
  • Twins Poppy and Bryony Cleall lead the Six Nations offloads charts with four each, with France's Gabrielle Vernier also hitting that mark
  •  Zoe Aldcroft is England's top tackler so far in 2021 with 27 in her two matches

TEAMS

England

15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens Women, 34 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 17 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (C; Loughborough Lightning, 94 caps)
12. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 28 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 16 caps)
10. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 41 caps)

1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 58 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
3. Shaunagh Brown  (Harlequins Women, 22 caps)
4. Abbie Ward (Harlequins Women, 46 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 17 caps)
6. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury Women, 22 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 75 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 45 caps) 

Finishers

16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 55 caps) 
17. Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps)
18. Bryony Cleall (Saracens Women, 3 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 60 caps)
20. Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 124 caps)
21. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 14 caps)
22. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins Women, 7 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 13 caps)

France

15. Emilie Boulard
14. Caroline Boujard
13. Carla Neisen
12. Jade Ulutule
11. Cyrielle Banet
10. Caroline Drouin
9. Laure Sansus

1. Annaëlle Deshaye
2. Agathe Sochat
3. Rose Bernadou
4. Madoussou Fall
5. Safi N’Diaye
6. Marjorie Mayans
7. Gaëlle Hermet (c)
8. Romane Ménager

Replacements

16. Laure Touyé
17. Maïlys Traoré
18. Clara Joyeux
19. Lenaïg Corson
20. Coumba Diallo
21. Pauline Bourdon
22. Morgane Peyronnet
23. Jessy Trémoulière

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