England's latest Six Nations grand slam deserves glowing appreciation for two reasons. First, consistent excellence should always receive due recognition. Second, England had to do far more than simply show up and secure a routine victory. A 15-point margin against France might not suggest a full-blooded contest, but France more than fulfilled their part of the bargain. The nagging concern that the Red Roses are not being sufficiently challenged was put to rest as the determined hosts pinned England back for lengthy periods.
A Gritty Performance
England's eighth successive Six Nations crown was all the more admirable because it was anything but a serene cruise. In the first and third quarters, France pounded away at the visiting line, forcing England to dig in defensively. Until now, the campaign had not been notable for defensive solidity, but England properly stood firm. Even when France fought back to 29-21 with 20 minutes left, they could find no way through. The crucial next score came from Jess Breach, who collected her second try wide on the right to snuff out the hosts' momentum. Head coach John Mitchell had talked beforehand about being courageous with skill sets, and the purposeful midfield running and precise interplay were exactly what he sought.
Star Performers
England also have the benefit of the lurking match-winner Ellie Kildunne. Twice in the first half, the full-back accelerated away with long-limbed strides, leaving everyone trailing. Her well-timed pass also put Breach clear, proving she can create as well as finish. For those who shrug at England's 38th straight win and wonder why they should keep watching a foregone conclusion, the answer is that quality and quantity are not easy to maintain at the highest level.
Parallels in Sport
Men's tennis had something similar in Pete Sampras's era, when he spent 286 consecutive weeks at number one and won Wimbledon seven times in eight years. Just as it was not Sampras's problem that he became unbeatable on grass, it is not England's fault they have the resources, depth, individual quality, and ruthlessness to keep winning. Few criticised basketball's Boston Celtics or LA Lakers for winning too regularly.
Growth of Women's Rugby
Winning the World Cup last year allowed the women's game to take a significant leap in attention and support. Scotland, Ireland, and Italy have all set attendance records this season. Sustaining that momentum is the next battle, but there are reasons for optimism. The first British & Irish Lions women's tour departs for New Zealand next year, spreading the gospel. Welcoming Welsh or Scottish teams into Premiership Women's Rugby might also help, though any dilution of England's superiority will take time.
No one else has players of the class of Kildunne and Meg Jones, the goal-kicking accuracy of Zoe Harrison, or the forward power to cope with mass withdrawals through injury and pregnancy. Only six starters from the World Cup final against Canada played, hence Mitchell's visible emotion after the trophy lift. He called this "by far the hardest" Six Nations triumph he has been involved in.
Achievement Beyond the World Cup
Mitchell believes this might be an even bigger achievement than winning the World Cup, where many factors were in the host nation's favour. England's captain Jones agreed: "We've faced so much adversity. We fronted up and showed what England is about." Aside from flanker Sadia Kabeya's mild embarrassment at swearing on live TV, there was barely a negative in the Bordeaux night air as the team celebrated. Mitchell's refashioned team deserved every drop of their victory champagne.
The final word goes to Brian Moore, hanging up his BBC summarising hat after years of pithy analysis. "Don't underestimate the resolve you need to keep doing what England are doing," stressed Moore, a men's grand slam winner in 1991, 1992, and 1995. No one will have appreciated the hard-fought nature of this Anglo-French denouement more than him.
