England are bracing themselves for a bittersweet evening in Coventry on Friday. For while Sarah Hunter’s side should overcome an Ireland team smarting from a home defeat by Scotland, it is likely they will learn after the match at the Ricoh Arena that France have secured their fifth grand slam.
France’s 18-17 win over England in Grenoble last Saturday makes them favourites for the women’s Six Nations title when they face Wales in Colwyn Bay in a game that kicks off half an hour later than England’s match against Ireland.
Hunter, the England captain and No 8, does not believe the Six Nations is a two-horse race. “We saw with last weekend’s results, with Scotland and Italy both winning away, that it’s not predictable. I know France are favourites to win in Wales but all we can do is focus on our own game and make sure we end the championship on a high.
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“We were disappointed with the result last week, although it was a great Test in Grenoble, and we want to bounce back. It was frustrating to lose by a last-minute try and we know our accuracy and execution has to improve.”
Simon Middleton has not been afraid to make changes after the Grenoble defeat. Experienced hands such as the centre Amber Reed and the lock Tamara Taylor are not in the starting lineup. Reed drops to the bench and Taylor is left out of the squad altogether after winning her 115th cap last weekend.
Caity Mattinson is in as scrum-half for the first time and Poppy Cleall moves from the back row to the second row. There is a place among the replacements for the multi-talented Shaunagh Brown of Harlequins, who has boxed professionally and thrown the hammer at the Commonwealth Games. “She has been one of the outstanding players in the Premiership this season. She is a very physical ball-carrier who always gets over the gainline,” said Hunter of her fellow back-row forward.
France have made two changes from the side who beat England. Lisa Arricastre starts at loosehead prop and Celine Ferer, usually a lock, will play openside flanker. Wales are unchanged from the side beaten by Italy.