Team News: Women's Six Nations for Round 5 - France host England in Grand Slam decider

The Red Roses and Les Bleus both have four wins each, with England in the hunt for an eighth straight Women's Six Nations title. France are eager to end the relentless run of Red Roses dominance, and put a stop to the 36-match winning streak of John Mitchell's side. France last beat England in 2018, with plenty of bragging rights and silverware up for grabs this Sunday.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Wales take a trip out to Italy and Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva Stadium. So, ahead of the closing round of this year's championship, we've compiled all the team news to get you up to speed ahead of the incoming Super Sunday.

Wales welcome Italy to Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday for their final match of the 2026 Women’s Six Nations, with both sides aiming to finish the championship on a positive note after encouraging performances throughout the campaign.

Sean Lynn has kept changes to a minimum for Wales, with the only alteration coming in the back three where Seren Singleton is rewarded with a starting role on the wing after impressing earlier in the tournament. She joins experienced duo Jasmine Joyce and Kayleigh Powell in a dangerous Welsh backfield.

Up front, Wales continue with the same front row that has started every match of this year’s championship, while Branwen Metcalfe and Georgia Evans again combine in the second row following Gwen Crabb’s injury absence.

Italy arrive in Cardiff looking to spoil the occasion and give Valeria Fedrighi the perfect send-off in her final international appearance. The veteran lock wins her 72nd cap after a distinguished career spanning three World Cups and a decade of Six Nations rugby. Fabio Roselli’s side pushed England all the way last weekend and will travel with confidence after scoring five tries against the Red Roses.

Wales Women XV: 15 Kayleigh Powell, 14 Seren Singleton, 13 Carys Cox, 12 Courtney Keight, 11 Jasmine Joyce, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Keira Bevan, 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4 Branwen Metcalfe, 5 Georgia Evans, 6 Jorja Aiono, 7 Bethan Lewis (c), 8 Bryonie King.

Replacements (16-23): 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Natalia John, 20 Alisha Joyce, 21 Seren Lockwood, 22 Hannah Dallavalle, 23 Nikita Prothero.

Italy Women XV: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Francesca Granzotto, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Sara Mannini, 11 Alyssa D’Incà, 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Sofia Stefan, 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Gaia Maris, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 8 Elisa Giordano (c).

Replacements (16-23): 16 Chiara Cheli, 17 Vittoria Zanette, 18 Gaia Dosi, 19 Alessandra Frangipani, 20 Beatrice Veronese, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Emma Stevanin, 23 Aura Muzzo.

Ireland will make history on Sunday when they host Scotland in the first standalone Women’s Six Nations fixture ever staged at the Aviva Stadium, with a record crowd expected in Dublin.

More than 30,000 tickets have already been sold as Scott Bemand’s side look to finish their campaign strongly following an impressive victory over Wales in Belfast last time out. The Ireland head coach has largely kept faith with the team that secured that win, making just one significant alteration in the pack as Sam Monaghan returns to partner Fiona Tuite in the second row.

The Irish backline remains unchanged, with Stacey Flood continuing at full-back and Béibhinn Parsons providing attacking firepower out wide. Captain Erin King again leads a powerful loose-forward trio alongside Brittany Hogan and Aoife Wafer.

Scotland arrive in Dublin aiming to spoil the occasion and secure a positive finish to their championship. Sione Fukofuka has made two changes to his starting XV, with Shona Campbell returning on the wing and Emily Coubrough rewarded with a start at Number 8. The visitors will again rely on the experience of captain Helen Nelson and vice-captain Emma Wassell to guide them through a massive Test match atmosphere.

Ireland Women XV: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Béibhinn Parsons, 13 Aoife Dalton, 12 Eve Higgins, 11 Robyn O’Connor, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 9 Emily Lane, 1 Ellena Perry, 2 Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, 3 Linda Djougang, 4 Sam Monaghan, 5 Fiona Tuite, 6 Brittany Hogan, 7 Erin King (c), 8 Aoife Wafer.

Replacements (16-23): 16 Neve Jones, 17 Sadhbh McGrath, 18 Eilís Cahill, 19 Dorothy Wall, 20 Ruth Campbell, 21 Katie Whelan, 22 Vicky Elmes Kinlan, 23 Niamh Gallagher.

Scotland Women XV: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Rachel Philipps, 12 Meryl Smith, 11 Shona Campbell, 10 Helen Nelson (c), 9 Leia Brebner-Holden, 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Elis Martin, 3 Elliann Clarke, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Louise McMillan, 6 Becky Boyd, 7 Eva Donaldson, 8 Emily Coubrough.

Replacements (16-23): 16 Aicha Sutcliffe, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Molly Poolman, 19 Hollie Cunningham, 20 Holland Bogan, 21 Rhea Clarke, 22 Lucia Scott, 23 Coreen Grant.

The 2026 Women’s Six Nations reaches its climax in Bordeaux on Sunday as France host England in a Grand Slam decider, with Les Bleues looking to end a seven-year wait for a victory over the Red Roses.

François Ratier has opted for continuity at the most crucial stage of the tournament, making just two changes to his starting XV as France stick with a settled core for the biggest Test of their campaign. In contrast to England’s seven alterations, Les Bleues have prioritised cohesion and familiarity as they prepare to face a side on a 37-match winning streak.

The only changes come in the pack, where Ambre Mwayembe starts at loosehead prop and Axelle Berthoumieu comes into the back row, with Charlotte Escudero shifting to the bench. The backline remains unchanged for a third straight match, underlining France’s confidence in their attacking shape and decision-making.

England arrive in Bordeaux unbeaten and chasing an eighth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title, with head coach John Mitchell making several enforced and tactical changes, including the return of key forwards Sadia Kabeya, Lilli Ives Campion and Maddie Feaunati. The Red Roses have also reshuffled their back three, with Ellie Kildunne moving to full-back and Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald coming onto the wings.

France know the scale of the challenge but believe their consistency and physical emphasis up front can tilt a rivalry that has been dominated by England in recent years.

France Women XV: 15 Pauline Barrat, 14 Anaïs Grando, 13 Aubane Rousset, 12 Téani Feleu, 11 Léa Murie, 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 1 Ambre Mwayembe, 2 Mathilde Lazarko, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Siobhan Soqeta, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 7 Manae Feleu (c), 8 Léa Champon.

Replacements (16-23): 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Yllana Brosseau, 18 Rose Bernadou, 19 Kiara Zago, 20 Cloé Correa, 21 Charlotte Escudero, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Lina Queyroi.

England Women XV: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer, 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Lilli Ives Campion, 5 Delaney Burns, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati.

Replacements (16-23): 16 Connie Powell, 17 Liz Crake, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Emma Sing.