Reinforcements for Red Roses ahead of Women's Six Nations title decider

England will welcome back the trio of Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati for Sunday’s Women’s Six Nations title decider against France in Bordeaux.

Head coach John Mitchell has made seven changes in total to take on France, with Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald back on the wings as Ellie Kildunne returns to full-back.

The return of Ives Campion at lock alongside Delaney Burns means that Abi Burton moves to blindside flanker to form a back row alongside Kabeya and Feaunati, with England opting for a five-three split on their bench. Those replacements include Marlie Packer, who scored four tries last week against Italy.

Mackenzie Carson starts at loosehead prop in place of Kelsey Clifford, who is missing through injury, with Sarah Bern and Maud Muir swapping once more at tighthead prop.

“France are a quality side, and we’ve got a huge amount of respect for what they bring and the way they play the game,” Mitchell said.

“To face them in Bordeaux – in the heart of the south-west, a region so passionate about rugby with a vocal home crowd behind them – is exactly the sort of challenge the girls relish, embrace and walk towards. With that support comes expectation and pressure, and Francois has already laid down the challenge to his players.

“This tournament has demanded adaptability and the ability to learn quickly from us throughout. The girls have stayed connected, composed and continued to grow within our new attacking identity. I’m proud of the way the players have competed for positions, pushed one another every day and earned the right to contest for the Championship.

“We understand the significance of the performance ahead and what it would mean to us, but our focus remains firmly on trusting our game, staying present, being courageous, creating stronger connections and continuing to act selflessly for one another, throughout this tournament.”

England team to face France

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 61 caps)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 56 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 37 caps) – captain
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 50 caps)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 39 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 69 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 43 caps)
1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 27 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 93 caps)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 83 caps)
4 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 7 caps)
5 Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
6 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 8 caps)
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 31 caps)
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 26 caps)

Replacements

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 23 caps)
17 Liz Crake (Saracens, 2 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 52 caps)
19 Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 3 caps)
20 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 115 caps)
21 Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 48 caps)
23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16 caps)