Women’s Six Nations: England forward trio return for France decider

Burton, who moved to number eight after Feaunati’s withdrawal from the squad at Parma, partners the Exeter star in the back row with Kabeya, who won player of the match in September’s World Cup final, on the open wing.

Liz Crake, who last won her cap in 2023 and has returned to working as a dentist alongside rugby, was named to the bench after Saracens team-mate Kelsey Clifford suffered a leg injury.

England have won their last 17 meetings with France in all competitions but fell behind to a point in last year’s Six Nations final with a 43-42 win.

France enter the tournament with a new-look backline finding their feet and will be greeted with enthusiasm by a crowd expected to set a new record for the Women’s Six Nations match at the 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantique in France.

England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (c), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Ives Campion, Burns, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati

Replacements: Powell, Crake, Muir, Kısa, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison, Sing.