Does England's defense threaten winning streak?

England's women's rugby team, known as the Red Roses, faced scrutiny regarding their defensive capabilities as they prepared for the Grand Slam decider in the Women’s Six Nations on February 26, 2026, against France in Bordeaux. After successfully beating Italy to set up this crucial match, England, the reigning world champions and currently on a historic 37-game winning streak, had conceded a total of 76 points in their previous four matches, significantly more than the 29 points they had allowed in the same number of games the previous year.

In recent contests against Wales and Italy, which both failed to advance to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, England's defense was notably challenged, allowing nine tries combined from the two teams. Meanwhile, France, their title rivals and previous year’s Grand Slam decider runner-up, demonstrated their offensive prowess by scoring 69 points against Scotland, revealing vulnerabilities in Scotland's defense.

England's performance thus far in the championship raised concerns about their ability to maintain their winning streak as head coach John Mitchell dealt with injuries to several players, notably lacking four World Cup winners due to personal reasons. As a result, a total of 30 players had taken the field, with five earning their first caps. The changes included 19-year-old Haineala Lutui moving into the second row, while flanker Abi Burton filled in at an unfamiliar position.

Mitchell described the current state as a transition period, where younger players are still adapting to new roles. They have averaged 4.8 more points conceded per game compared to the previous year, with missed tackles up by 3.45 in this championship, indicating a sharp decline in defensive efficiency.

Despite conceding more points, England's defense, overseen by former captain Sarah Hunter, had improved in certain metrics, allowing 1.3 fewer line breaks per game than in the last championship. However, lapses continued to lead to points against them, suggesting a need for urgent improvements when facing a formidable French attack.

As the Grand Slam decider approached, England’s attack remained formidable, with players like Ellie Kildunne leading the charge in offensive statistics. Fans expected a high-scoring fixture at Stade Atlantique, where both teams typically thrive under pressure, further complicating England's path to maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament since 2018.