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England Trio Return for Women's Six Nations Grand Slam Decider vs France

England welcome back Lilli Ives Campion, Maddie Feaunati, and Sadia Kabeya for the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France in Bordeaux.

·2 min read
Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati and Lilli Ives Campion

England Forward Trio Return for Grand Slam Decider

England have strengthened their forward pack for the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France with the return of World Cup winners Lilli Ives Campion, Maddie Feaunati, and Sadia Kabeya for Sunday's match in Bordeaux.

The trio were absent from last Saturday's victory over Italy due to injury.

With numerous players sidelined, England have relied on their reserves, particularly in the forwards, to maintain a 37-Test winning streak and remain on track for a record-extending fifth consecutive clean sweep of the tournament.

However, the Red Roses are now closer to full strength than they have been since their opening-round win against Ireland.

Ellie Kildunne returns to her usual full-back position, with Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald completing an experienced back three.

Zoe Harrison, who has been outstanding with her kicking throughout the tournament, retains her place as starting fly-half ahead of Holly Aitchison.

Delaney Burns, who has played her first England matches since 2023 during this campaign, partners Ives Campion in the second row.

Live coverage will be available on BBC One, 5 Sports Extra, and the website and app.

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Burton, who switched to number eight after Feaunati withdrew from the lineup in Parma, partners the Exeter star in the back row, with Kabeya, the player of the match in September's World Cup final, at open-side flanker.

Liz Crake, who earned her most recent cap in 2023 and has returned to working as a dentist alongside rugby, has been named on the bench following Saracens teammate Kelsey Clifford's leg injury.

England have won their last 17 encounters with France across all competitions but were narrowly pushed to a 43-42 victory in last year's Six Nations finale.

France, who have developed throughout the tournament with a new-look backline, will be supported by a crowd expected to set a new attendance record for a Women's Six Nations match in France at the 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantique.

England Team Lineup

England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (c), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Ives Campion, Burns, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati

Replacements: Powell, Crake, Muir, Short, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison, Sing.

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This article was sourced from bbc

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