- Only France stand between John Mitchell’s side and another Six Nations sweep
- England are keen to raise awareness of women’s game before 2025 World Cup
- Superstar Ellie Kildunne has stressed team’s vital importance as role models
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They’re one of English sport’s most successful teams and have become synonymous with winning.
But as they look to seal a sixth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title and a third straight Grand Slam in Bordeaux on Saturday, this is the Red Roses as you’ve never seen them before.
Only France stand between John Mitchell’s side and another Championship clean sweep, but the reality is England should have too much for Les Bleus.
The Red Roses are thriving on the field. Off it, they are determined to use their growing platform to raise interest in and develop the female game ahead of England hosting the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
Ahead of this Six Nations, England’s players took part in a lifestyle photoshoot with the aim of taking women’s rugby to new audiences. They are certainly doing that.
‘I’m very creative off the pitch and I hope that shows on it. I try and find happiness in everything I’m doing,’ said superstar full-back Ellie Kildunne, who sums up the growing force that is women’s rugby.
‘I think it marries really well. We’ve become a team that’s undefendable.’
At 24, Kildunne has declared it her ambition to become the best rugby player – male or female – in the world.
She is on her way and has a remarkable nine tries in just four Six Nations games this year.
As shown by her modelling pictures in Mail Sport, Kildunne is not just a one-trick pony. Away from rugby she likes photography and has launched her own fashion range with sports brand Canterbury.
‘It’s going well and I’m enjoying it. I don’t want the Six Nations to be over,’ Kildunne said. ‘We’ve become a team that’s got multi threats. We’re strong in different ways.
‘I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. I’m enjoying it and have a smile on my face. I’m content with who I am and the people around me. I just want to keep going and ride the wave.’
Women’s rugby remains the sport’s biggest area for potential growth.
England’s dominance of the Six Nations isn’t good for the competitiveness of the Championship, but it isn’t derailing female interest in the game and that can only be a good thing.
‘Being a role model is really important,’ said wing Jess Breach, who is part of an electric England back three with Abby Dow and Kildunne. ‘I didn’t have anyone in rugby I looked up to as such but nowadays I think it’s really important for young boys and girls to see us. I’m honoured and a lot of us are to be role models for a lot of people. It’s amazing we’re in that space now.
‘When people say we’re a world class back three or one of the best back threes in the world, it’s scary but it’s an honour as well. We all got our first caps back in 2017 together and to see us grow has been amazing. We’re all very different but come together well to perform on the pitch.’
France, like England, are also unbeaten in 2024. But the Red Roses should have too much for Les Bleus.
In his first campaign in charge, head coach Mitchell has taken his team’s attacking game to new heights with the help of former England men’s boss Brian Ashton.
In this Six Nations, England have scored 38 tries and 228 points.
‘We spoke about taking the handbrake off and that’s what we’re doing. By doing that we’re finding different ways of scoring,’ said Kildunne.
In their down time, England’s players have regular social evenings. One of the highlights of this camp was an in-house darts night.
Ominously for France, Mitchell believes his team can get even better for their Grand Slam decider after they hammered Ireland 88-10 at Twickenham, scoring 14 tries.
‘We have the ability to dial it up again this weekend,’ said Mitchell. ‘This group sets such high standards we’ll never be satisfied. We’ll always want to be better.’
