Jones says coping without leading names will serve England well long-term

Meg Jones has called on England to defy their lengthy list of absentees one final time when they face France in Sunday’s Grand Slam decider.

The Red Roses head to Bordeaux’s Stade Atlantique on the brink of completing a fifth successive Guinness Women’s Six Nations clean sweep, despite missing a host of Women’s Rugby World Cup winners to injury or pregnancy.

Apart from an unusually leaky defence, they have brushed aside the setbacks to extend their winning run to 37 Tests and set up the title collision with their fiercest European rivals France.

England captain Jones said: “It either makes you or breaks you, doesn’t it? We’ve definitely risen to the challenges.

“These experiences will put the girls in good stead in years to come. They were big contenders on the world stage anyway and now they’re fully adaptable.

“We’ve got a very strong squad and very much looking forward to the challenge against France.

“France love their rugby and their fans love supporting their team and making as much noise as they possibly can.”

Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Rosie Galligan and Lark Atkin-Davies are missing the Women’s Six Nations because of pregnancy, while the injury list has hit double digits, with the second row being hardest hit by those unavailable.

However, head coach John Mitchell insists no returning player will simply walk back into the team.

“If you look at this combination of players, it potentially could play in the World Cup in 2029,” Mitchell said.

“Just imagine all these girls with another 30 or 40 Test matches in them by the time we get there.

“And then obviously you’ve got some of the girls who will have to fight their way back, won’t they?

“It’s just the way the Red Roses are built. We’re in a good place and that’s why it makes it so fun.”