Revamped Dispatch: French Women's Rugby Takes on England in Six Nations Finale
England-France: The Blues squaring off against their black foe in the finale of the Six Nations Championship
The French women's rugby team isn't walking into Twickenham as favorites. "Ain't many folks betting on us to win," admits halfback Pauline Bourdon Sansus as the squad prepares to face the English Red Roses, current champions, on April 26 at 17:45 (Paris time). The winner of this "final" will hoist the Six Nations Trophy.
Turf Wars
Few within the French side boast victory against the Red Roses. With 65 caps under her belt, Pauline Bourdon Sansus is one of the exceptions. She was part of the 2018 squad that snatched a narrow victory in Grenoble (18-17) before securing the grand slam a week later. Since then, England hasn't lost a match in the Six Nations. "They're a clinical team," described Sansus in a pre-match press conference. "Their style is strategic and superb, and they've got a slew of exceptional individuals."
Undefeated like their opposition, the French are vying for their first title victory since 2018. But the duo of Gaëlle Mignot-David Ortiz hasn't always been convincing. They struggled against the Italians in Parma on April 19, barely edging out a 34-21 victory after a sluggish first half. "If we take a half to warm up against the English, it's gonna be a tough nut to crack, and history might repeat itself," cautions Sansus, recalling their 2018 Twickenham outing that started with a 0-33 thrashing in the first half before a valiant comeback.
Line-Up Shuffle
The French XV, committed to play, sometimes falters in the face of tough competition. With Romane Ménager, Séraphine Okemba, and Montserrat Amédee unable to take the pitch in this "final" battle, the squad will have to adapt. "Every single mistake gets punished," warns the opposition. Another tough competitor awaits, as the Red Roses are just as eager for this clash. "It's a massive showdown, a spectacle for spectators, but brutal for the players," says former English international Shaunagh Brown on the Six Nations website. "Against France, every action counts, and the tiniest error – a forward pass, a foolish penalty, a misplaced lineout – is severely penalized."
Igniting the Spark
The Blues will need to start off strong to unsettle the Red Roses, who aren't accustomed to being in the lead. "We have to aim to start the match aggressively, and shake them up a bit," anticipates Sansus. With the World Cup fast approaching, France has the opportunity to make a statement with a strong showing against their biggest continental rivals. "It's the finale of the tournament," concluded first-line Yllana Brosseau. "The world will be watching, so we've got to show our best game and display our strengths for the World Cup, which will take place in England from August 22 to September 27." If history is any indication, this match is bound to be a nail-biter!
- Pauline Bourdon Sansus, with 65 caps under her belt, was part of the French team that managed to secure a narrow victory against England in 2018, a feat few within her current squad can claim.
- The French women's rugby team, as they prepare to face England in the Six Nations finale, is aiming to hoist the Six Nations Trophy for the first time since 2018.
- In contrast to the French side, the English Red Roses, current champions, haven't lost a match in the Six Nations since their defeat at the hands of the French in 2018.
- The upcoming European-leagues premier-league match between France and England promises to be a fierce contest, with both teams vying for dominance in the final showdown of the tournament.
- Salary negotiations, however, might not be top of mind for the French rugby players, as they prepare for a potentially historic match against England, which could serve as a memorable springboard for their 2021 World Cup campaign in the premier-league of sports, football.
