England women looking for six in a row

England are ready for an “arm wrestle” when they bid to land a sixth successive Guinness Women’s Six Nations title today.

Unbeaten rivals France stand between the Red Roses and a third grand slam on the bounce, with the Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux set for a crowd topping 30,000.

England have reeled off four bonus-point wins in a row, rattling up 228 points and conceding just 20 across emphatic victories over Italy, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

France, though, are just one point behind and ready to pounce on any slip-up in the quest for silverware.

“We have been expecting an armwrestle for some time,” England head coach John Mitchell said.

“We have been wanting that, we’ve been asking for it and we are certainly going to get it on the weekend.

“This game is going to give us really good feedback. It’s important to experience that, and it will hold us in good stead.

“France will be buoyed by the fact they are at home, but we are actually looking forward to embracing that challenge.

“It is another fullcapacity stadium, which gives us energy too. That is what drives the girls – they want to play in front of full capacity.”

Scotland will be guaranteed an impressive a third-place finish if they beat Ireland in Belfast, but Wales appear destined for the wooden spoon.

Wales are five points adrift of Ireland in fifth, so a bonus-point victory against Principality Stadium visitors Italy is required to give them any chance of avoiding the foot of the table.

It will be Wales’ first stand-alone fixture at the 74,500-capacity Cardiff venue, and they are hopeful of a fivefigure attendance.