France v England | Talking points as the Red Roses triumphed in Bordeaux

All the record books will show that England won the Guinness Women’s Six Nations a little differently in 2026.

Plagued by injuries and absences, John Mitchell’s team dug deep in Bordeaux to claim a 43-28 win against France to secure a fifth Grand Slam in a row. Their eighth Women’s Six Nations title on the trot.

It was an impressive performance from the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 champions, who contended with a Pauline Bourdon Sansus brace and a late Rose Bernadou score at the Stade Atlantique.

Braces for Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach made their mark for England, while Sarah Bern’s powerful score accounted for one of the Red Roses’ five tries.

Here are three talking points from a Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux…

Count England out at your peril

Poor defence and too many players missing.

These were the two things that people felt stood in the way of another Women’s Six Nations title for the Red Roses.

England had conceded more points than ever at a Championship after Round 4 of this year’s competition. Then there was the matter of 13 players from the Women’s Rugby World Cup winning side that missed this tournament with injury, pregnancy or retirement.

“I think there was a lot more doubters and outside noise but we had good players and we just had to mould together,” England captain, Meg Jones, told BBC Sport. “Defence is a mindset but you just have to front up and own your collision and it becomes so much easier.”

Each point had its merit. But, now that England have picked up an eighth Women’s Six Nations title in a row, we know beyond doubt that the Red Roses can never be counted out.

What John Mitchell was able to achieve with teenagers and back-row forwards packing down at lock this Championship has been nothing short of sensational. Without even having intended to the world champions have blooded new talent in the form of Demelza Short and Haineala Lutui, while Delaney Burns stepped back into the forwards pack seamlessly after three years in the international wilderness.

Questions about England’s form – even though they were still winning matches – was inevitable. Each question was answered curtly in both press conferences and on the pitch. Nothing phases these Red Roses. It is their world. We just live in it.

France are on their own journey

Plenty of people will be quick to judge France based on this performance. Beaten by 15 points at the Stade Atlantique, there was clear daylight between the two teams on the day. But France are anything but the finished product.

In his first tournament as France boss, François Ratier has handed out six new caps during this tournament and only Pauline Bourdon Sansus was aged 30 or above in his starting XV.

In a very short space of time Pauline Barrat, Anaïs Grando, Mathilde Lazarko, Cloe Correa, Siobhan Soqeta and Aubane Rousset have made names for themselves in Test rugby. While 21-year-old Teani Feleu has been something of a revelation in midfield after starting her international career in the back-row.

All these players, you must think, have long futures to come in a France jersey. To have come so close to England is hugely impressive. A late yellow card for Alexandra Chambon’s high tackle certainly did not help things either.

Whatever the case you have to expect France to come back stronger in the future. They will be testing themselves too, having already confirmed that they will take on New Zealand’s Black Ferns four times across their six WXV Global Series matches this year. If that does not sharpen some tools, who knows what will.

38 Tests and counting

As the confetti settles in Bordeaux, only one question really comes to mind; when will the Red Roses next lose a game?

Now John Mitchell’s team have 38 matches in a row. The last time they lost was the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup when New Zealand’s Black Ferns downed them at Eden Park in the final. Even that day the losing margin was just three points.

This clash with France was billed as the biggest challenge yet for a team missing 13 players from their Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph last year. Ultimately that billing was not truly lived up to.

England will next be in action in September when the WXV Global Series comes around. They have confirmed encounters with Australia, New Zealand and a trio of matches against Canada.

The Black Ferns and the Women’s Rugby World Cup runners-up will undoubtedly provide a stern challenge.

John Mitchell’s team have not played New Zealand since the WXV 1 in 2024, when they won by a 18 point margin. Now Whitney Hansen’s team have surpassed Canada in the World Rugby rankings, you must look at the Kiwis as England’s greatest challengers. All eyes on Allianz Stadium it is.