England forward trio return for Grand Slam decider

Breaking news from the world of sport: England forward trio return for Grand Slam deciderImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England welcome back Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati and Lilli Ives Campion (left to right)ByMike Henson Sport rugby union news reporterPublished10 minutes agoEngland have reinforced their 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 missed last Saturday's win over Italy through injury. With a raft of players sidelined, England have had to dig into their reserves, particularly up front, to maintain a 37-Test winning streak and stay on course for a record-extending fifth successive clean sweep of the tournament.

However, the Red Roses are closer to full strength than they have been since their opening-round win over Ireland. Ellie Kildunne is restored to her more accustomed full-back role, with Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald completing an experienced back three. Zoe Harrison, who has been excellent off the tee and kicking from hand throughout the tournament, keeps her place as the starting fly-half ahead of Holly Aitchison.

Match Details

Delaney Burns, who played her first England games since 2023 during this campaign, forms a second-row partnership with Ives Campion. France v EnglandWomen's Six NationsSunday 17 May, 16:45 BSTStade Atlantique, Bordeaux Watch on iPlayerLive on One, 5 Sports Extra and the Sport website and appBurton, who switched to number eight after Feaunati pulled out of the line-up in Parma, partners the Exeter star in the back row, with Kabeya, who won player of the match in the September's World Cup final, at open-side flanker. Liz Crake, who won her most recent cap in 2023 and has returned to working as a dentist alongside her rugby, has been named on the bench after Saracens team-mate Kelsey Clifford suffered a leg injury.

England have won their past 17 meetings with France in all competitions, but were pushed to within a point in a 43-42 victory in last year's Six Nations finale. France, who have grown into the tournament as a new-look backline have found their feet, will be roared on by a crowd that is expected to set a new record for a Women's Six Nations match in France at the 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantique. England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (c), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Ives Campion, Burns, Burton, Kabeya, FeaunatiReplacements: Powell, Crake, Muir, Short, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison, Sing.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.