Women's Six Nations 2023: England face France in Grand Slam decider
- Published
- comments
Will England or France be crowned Champions this year?
It's the final weekend of the Women's Six Nations and it's all set for a nail biting finish!
England and France play each other in a Grand Slam decider, with the winner lifting this year's trophy.
The match at London's Twickenham stadium is also expected to be a world record crowd for the women's game.
If the Red Roses come out on top, it'll be their fifth successive Six Nations title.
What's happening?
England lifted the Six Nations trophy for the fourth successive time in 2022
England and France are set to play in front of record crowd for a women's match of more than 53,000 at Twickenham Stadium.
Marlie Packer has been passed fit to captain England in Saturday's decider, and will start at open-side flanker despite coming off injured in the win over Ireland earlier in the competition.
However the Red Roses will face stiff opposition, as France - like England - have not lost a single match so far in this year's tournament.
The fixture will also be England coach Simon Middleton's final game after eight years in the job.
During his time in charge, England have reached two World Cup finals, won five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams.
Battle for third place
Wales are currently third in the table with one game left to play
For the first time in Six Nation's history, there's added importance for the country that finishes in third spot.
That's because they'll secure their place in the top tier of World Rugby's new WXV competition that launches this autumn.
The WXV competition is a 16-team, three-tier annual competition and will play a key role in the qualification process of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
The top five team at the end of WXV 2024 which have not yet qualified for the World Cup, will play at the tournament.
Scotland are also in the running to take third spot in this year's Six Nations
Both Wales and Scotland are in the running to finish third.
Wales are in the better position as they only need a point to guarantee their place - whereas Scotland must beat Ireland with a bonus point and overturn a significant points difference to finish above them.
Wales will travel to Parma for their Six Nations finale against Italy.
And Ireland will be hoping to avoid a first Six Nations wooden spoon since 2004 as they take on Scotland in Edinburgh.
Ireland are without a point in four matches and will finish bottom of the table unless they beat Scotland and Italy fail to get a point against Wales.