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26 Apr, 2025
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Women's Six Nations 2025: England's key battles to secure Grand Slam
@Source: bbc.com
France almost stunned England when they last travelled to Twickenham in 2023, when they scored 33 points in an incredible second-half fightback. The game finished 38-33 as France cut loose in attack in the second period, scoring tries from all over the pitch, showing what can happen if you kick inaccurately to their dangerous backs. Having scored 141 points in this year's championship and 21 points in last year's defeat by Mitchell's side in Bordeaux, Les Bleues remain dangerous in attack through their old-school French flair, meaning accuracy from the boot is needed to win the territorial battle and shut down opportunities. Scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus remains a class act - proven in her standout display in a dominant second-half performance against Scotland - and has the ability to produce a magic moment from anywhere and at any time. Fly-half Carla Arbez is joint-second for kicks in play (52) this championship, a tactic France have avoided using in their previous two encounters with Mitchell's side. "France now attack differently and have a world class nine [Pauline Bourdon Sansus], who is a threat," Mitchell told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly. "They focus on kick metres, the 10 [Carla Arbez] is there to move them forward. "In Bordeaux, they didn't kick, maybe seeing how our back three played at Twickenham against Ireland [the week prior], and in our WXV1 warm-up game in September they didn't kick at all. "In this tournament, they have been reliant on kicks from 10, so I'll be surprised if they don't come with that." Rapid wing Joanna Grisez is another player England need to keep an eye on after the 28-year-old showed off her sharp finishing ability for the opening score as France fought back to win 34-21 in Italy last Saturday. Mitchell has moved away from Holly Aitchison's running game at 10 in favour of the tactical kicking of Saracens fly-half Zoe Harrison, who impressed in wins over Wales and Ireland, for the decider. Harrison, on a wide Allianz Stadium pitch, is suited to finding space behind France's back three, and with a strong performance could seal a starting spot before a home Rugby World Cup that starts in August. "A big, long kicking game where you can pressure France is going to be huge," former England fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly. "France are not going to want to get into a territory battle, they are going to want to have their territory in the 22 when they can dominate with their big carries."
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