England Women go in search of another Slam

England’s women may well be on the brink of another Six Nations Grand Slam as they head to France this weekend.

Their record so far – four wins from four games, having scored 42 tries and conceded only twice – is pretty damned spectacular.

Yes, people rightly point to the fact that they have had the advantage of being a fully professional outfit and that the playing field is hardly level, but England can only beat what is put in front of them and the disparity in resources is really an issue for the wider women’s game rather than something the England team should be losing sleep over.

Despite the one-sided nature of England’s matches thus far, I think this has, nevertheless, been a successful Six Nations all round with sell-out crowds and extensive terrestrial TV coverage which I, for one, have been pleased to take advantage of. Having its own calendar slot, separate from the men’s tournament, has been a roaring success.

If England are going to claim the Grand Slam this year, however, they’re clearly going to have to do it the hard way. France, as we all know, will be no pushovers. Four from four themselves, and having only conceded three tries, they will undoubtedly be a tough nut to crack and any English complacency, or any sloppiness (and it’s fair to say that the England team has been a little sloppy from time to time thus far) could cost them dear.

It should be a cracking encounter in front of another sell-out 10,600 crowd at Bayonne’s Stade Jean Dauger. 

Good luck England.

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was