"It is THE test" – Red Roses legend Shaunagh Brown previews England vs France Women's Six Nations Showdown
Today at 10:06 AM
By George Wellbelove
The Red Roses find themselves in familiar territory. A final round face-off with their old rivals standing between them and glory. A win this weekend in front of the huge crowd at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, would be a record-breaking triumph and one that would continue to underline their dominance as the number one ranked team globally. But standing in their way: Les Bleus.
Former Red Rose and Harlequins icon Shaunagh Brown, who is no stranger to the cauldron and pressures of test rugby, spoke to Ruck to preview the clash. Her message? Simple and powerful: “It is the test.”
Unbeaten run continues but not without its issues
England’s 59-7 hammering of Scotland last time out extended the side’s unbeaten streak to 24 matches. However, despite this extraordinary run, the 2025 Six Nations campaign has not been without its difficulties. The Red Roses only scored one try against Ireland in the first half in round three before finally kicking into gear and storming to victory.
“Ireland was a weaker first half and a strong second half,” Brown reflected. “Scotland on the weekend, a strong first half, a weaker second half.
“Speaking to a couple of the players myself, it’s the week. It’s going be the week when they put two halves in rugby together.
“Mistakes can’t be made this weekend. And if they are being made, each team will be punished, France and England.”
England’s second half performance against Scotland was a far cry away from the ruthless nature of the first forty minutes. The home side allowed their opponents back into the match and a few handling errors did halt their progress.
A full eighty minute display will be essential to push through and defeat France on Saturday.
Abby Dow – the key to English success?
This campaign has seen stars of English rugby step up and perform to great success. The likes of Holly Aitchison, Sarah Bern and Zoe Aldcroft have excelled over the last four matches. However for Brown, there is one name that stands above the rest.
“I am a big Abby Dow fan”, she beamed. “Every time she touches a ball, you think, ‘Oh, she’s not got much space. She can’t do much.”
“She’s probably just gonna take it into contact. She’s got two or three people opposite her. No way can she do anything with that.”
“And yet, she’s just that type of power winger. She’ll barge through, hand off, even the detail of knowing which hand to put the ball into making sure she’s got the free hand to hand off and not afraid to go along the touch line as well.”
“She’s not one who necessarily will always come back in field to find support. She’ll happily take the edge and back herself and hand her way off in between, it’s how she’s scored so many tries.”
After her brace against Scotland, Dow is now level at the summit of top try scorer charts with four, with teammate Ellie Kildunne and Ireland’s Aoife Wafer.
Undoubtedly, the Trailfinders winger will be one to watch and keen to do everything in her power to secure a record breaking fourth consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam.
Squad depth galore in English ranks
Nine changes were made to the starting XV that breezed past Scotland at Welford Road. This shows how many players that head coach John Mitchell has to his disposal.
England’s strength in squad depth has created an enviable, yet tricky, situation for Mitchell. With stars like Jess Breach missing out on recent selections, the pressure to select the right team has never been greater.
Brown said: “The coaches have got a real first world problem, but they’ve got a real headache moment because is it Jess Breach? Is it Claudia McDonald? Do you move anybody around to put Jess Breach on the pitch? Do you have Zoe Harrison or Holly Aitchison at ten? Do you have Sarah Bern or Maude Muir starting at tight head?”
“It goes to show how they’re training, what they’re putting into their training sessions and how detailed it is and how personalised it is.”
“They are good problems to have but I wouldn’t want to be John Mitchell right now because he’s got some tough decisions to make.”
England v France: Familiar Foes
For the last three years, the Women’s Six Nations title has been decided in a round five match up between England and France.
On these occasions, the Red Roses have triumphed, securing the title in a run that has stretched back to 2019.
The last time that France beat their old foe in a Six Nations match was in 2018 in a tight one point victory.
Brown said: “Historically, it’s been the one where you have to fight for the whole time.”
“And no matter how many you score or or how far you go ahead, it’s France. There’s always a chance that they’ll do something wilder and come back with one or two tries in quick succession.”
“I think if England can’t keep up with the offloading game of France, that’ll be a struggle. And it’s the mistakes. If it’s, unforced errors, knock ons, forward passes, not making touch, that’s when France will punish you because they’re sort of like, they’re always ready to go.”
“They’re always ready to do whatever they fancy at that moment in time. But, yeah, for me, it’ll be unforced errors and trying to keep them to a minimum for England.”
So, will England do it?
“100%,” said Brown, without hesitation. “I’m going go for a strong win from England.”
“No matter the scoreline, it will feel like a tough game. But, I’m going for a convincing win.”
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QUIZ: Can You Name Every Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam Winning Captain (2006-2023)
The record books only go back so far and the winning captains can only be found as far back as the 2006 Women’s Six Nations. Nonetheless, this list names some of the all-time great Women’s rugby captains, in a quiz that will put your mind to the test!
You have six minutes, good luck!
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