England head to Grenoble on Sunday with a chance to extend their unbeaten run against France to a near-decade, with the Women's Six Nations 2026 title once again coming down to the only two unbeaten sides in the championship — and Her Side of the Ruck podcaster Tash backing the Red Roses to lift an eighth straight crown despite some early-round wobbles.
Le Crunch — the round-five title decider — kicks off at 4:45 p.m. GMT at the Stade des Alpes, where John Mitchell's side will look to seal the championship and a Grand Slam after seeing off Italy, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in their previous four games. France, who put 69 on Scotland at the Hive in round four, sit just behind England on points difference.
"Why do we call it Le Crunch? Well, it's the Grand Slam decider on the final game of round five of the Women's Six Nations between France and England — the only two teams that remain unbeaten," Tash said. "The title will come down to that final round of this competition. Ooh, getting goosebumps already."
England rolled past Italy 61-33 in round four, but the Italians took the world champions all the way to the 79th minute and exposed defensive lapses Tash said John Mitchell will want tightened before Sunday. "It was a pretty suffocating start by the Red Roses. They came out of the blocks very quickly. But Italy, they stayed in the fight. Four tries to Italy plus a penalty try that saw Ellie Kildunne go to the sin bin. There were some lapses in England's defence."
France's 69-28 win in Edinburgh, by contrast, came with a new wrinkle — uncharacteristic early intensity. Captain Manae Feleu touched down inside the first minute, and Tash flagged it as a tactical warning sign for England.
"It only took 42 seconds for the skipper Manae Feleu to get over the try line right in the corner," she said. "The round-four fixture for France showed that they actually can start fast. Yes, you did hear me correctly. The French started quickly on this occasion. Usually they are the team that is the slow burner that ignites in the second 40."
Mitchell has loaded his pack with weapons. The host singled out a back row of Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati and Abi Burton, alongside a kicking-heavy half-back pairing of Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison.
"Zoe Harrison, she's been awesome off the kicking tee. And points will really matter in this competition against the French," Tash said. "You also got an electric back three who have torn it up in the competition so far. Claudia MacDonald, Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne."
France are expected to retain Feleu in the back row alongside half-back duo Pauline Bourdon and Lina Queyroi, with winger Anaïs Grandou the in-form attacking weapon Tash said would punish any English ill-discipline. "If the French get a foothold in this game — aka they score a good try — undoubtedly we will see them unleash the attacking flair and pizzazz that we know they are capable of."
Despite the stakes, the host's verdict on her own nerves was telling. "Are you nervous for this game?" she asked. "Right now, at the time of recording, not really. England, the Red Roses, they just don't lose to the French. That could come back to bite me though, I hope that's not the case."
Her tip: England by a score or two, but expect French resistance. "I think it will be closer than the Rugby World Cup and the warm-up fixture for the Rugby World Cup will be in terms of score line — maybe like five points, one score, maybe a score and a half," she said. "I obviously believe that England will win."
Earlier on the same Sunday, Wales host Italy at Cardiff Arms Park at 12:15 p.m. GMT with the Wooden Spoon at stake for the winless hosts, before Ireland play Scotland at Musgrave Park at 2:30 p.m. GMT in a fixture Tash backed Ireland to win on the back of "forward-pack intensity" that Scotland have struggled to match throughout the championship. All three matches are live on BBC Sport.
