England Wins Women’s Six Nations Title, Preps for World Cup

England's Red Roses secured their seventh consecutive Women's Six Nations title and fourth straight Grand Slam with a narrow 43-42 victory over France, marking their closest contest in years. Head coach John Mitchell described the nail-biting win as the 'ideal' test in preparation for the upcoming home World Cup, emphasizing the value of experiencing pressure situations after a period of dominance. Despite their early commanding lead, England allowed France to close the gap, exposing defensive weaknesses that Mitchell acknowledged will need addressing before the World Cup. Mitchell highlighted that nearly all likely World Cup squad members now have crucial experience playing at Twickenham, which was part of the team's strategic preparation. The match reinforced the Red Roses' status as favorites but also demonstrated that other teams, like France, are closing the gap and can challenge their supremacy. This close contest is seen as beneficial for England's growth and readiness for the heightened challenges of the World Cup.