It is round two in the Women’s Six Nations and we are heading to Ashton Gate in Bristol where defending champions England take on Wales. England are looking to win a third successive Grand Slam and a sixth Six Nations title in succession.
England kicked off their campaign last weekend with a resounding 48-0 victory over Italy, despite playing the majority of the game down to 14 after Sarah Beckett’s red card. Beckett was sent off for a dangerous clear-out in the 11th minute but England ran in eight tries in a bonus-point victory in their quest for a third Grand Slam in succession. Despite the disappointment, England head coach John Mitchell has backed Beckett to bounce back.
“It’s disappointing for Sarah [Beckett]. You get around and support your team-mates,” Mitchell said.
“She’ll get over it, she’s a strong person and now will have to present herself with good conditioning and be available for the France selection.
“She’s remaining in camp. We have plans in place for her to be available for France selection.”
Beckett will miss the next three games including this afternoon’s match, Scotland and Ireland. She will become available again for the final match against France, which looks like it could be the title decider. Today’s game will be John Mitchell’s first home game in charge of the Red Roses.
Wales’ opening game of the tournament ended in a narrow 18-20 defeat to Scotland. They are now without a win in four games and their head coach Ioan Cunningham is aware of the challenge facing his side this afternoon.
“England are out and out the best team on the planet,” said Cunningham. “If we get back to that level of intensity for longer then we feel we can really trouble England.”
Last year England secured an utterly dominant 59-3 win in Cardiff.