Women's

Maggie Alphonsi on Finals Day: Gripping final, fantastic Flood and Scotland v Wales treat

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Winning the Women’s Six Nations is an achievement that stays with you forever and it never gets any less special.

Winning the Women’s Six Nations is an achievement that stays with you forever and it never gets any less special.

That was how I felt as a player and having witnessed the celebrations at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, it certainly looked as though that’s how the current generation of Red Roses felt after coming out on top in a gripping final against France.

That was one of three excellent games across Finals Day, which proved a fitting way to end this year’s Women’s Six Nations – and something I hope is here to stay.

ENGLAND DO JUST ENOUGH

Coming into the final, I had France down as favourites based on how they had performed in the Championship so far.

It felt like a true final from the start and it was almost like a boxing match, with both teams working each other out and waiting for the chance to strike.

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There were errors – the pressure of the occasion coming into play – but both sides were very strong defensively, with big tackles a feature of a hugely physical game.

In the first half, in particular, I thought France were on top. They gave a scrummaging masterclass and carried well without managing to break through.

England took their chance when it came just before half-time and I felt France had the ability to turn it around in the second half – but their game management perhaps let them down.

Knowing how to keep the scoreboard ticking over and how to close a game out are vital skills England have learned to do quite well.

With 20 minutes to go, what’s the strategy to get into their 22 and take opportunities? What’s your Plan B if Plan A isn’t working? I wasn’t sure France had the answers to those questions but they are learning all the time and will keep improving.

RIVALRY WILL ‘KEEP BUBBLING AWAY’

This defeat will hurt France. When England were celebrating with their medals and lifting the trophy, a few of the French players stood there and watched.

I’ve been there before when New Zealand won the World Cup final – I watched them lift it and I remember telling myself to bottle that feeling and use it as motivation.

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When we lost to New Zealand, which we did a few times, that fire in our bellies would grow and we would do our homework, analyse what we needed to do and when the moment came, we beat them.

This ongoing battle between England and France is similar. It will keep bubbling away and it’s only a matter of time until France have their day – which I’d like to happen soon for the good of the women’s game.

As a former England player, I love to see them win but I also want to see different champions in the Women’s Six Nations.

It’s important for other teams to win to keep audiences engaged and there are teams capable of doing it, we just haven’t seen the results yet.

As for England – they will be delighted to have won the Championship, and rightly so, but Simon Middleton and his coaching team will definitely be thinking about areas to improve.

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Would that performance win you a World Cup? Probably not. At the same time, they are still building and while they have not been at their absolute best this year, the World Cup being pushed back a year gives them that extra time to keep progressing.

FLOOD UNLEASHES IRISH TALENT

Finals Day began in Dublin and I was really impressed by Ireland. I thought Italy would start on top after their brilliant performance against Scotland but it was all Ireland from the outset.

Stacey Flood deservedly picked up the Player of the Match award having carried on from where she left off last week, when she looked very good off the bench against France.

Starting at No.10 in your second cap is a big ask but one she coped with really well. Two turnovers, good tackles and she unleashed that Ireland backline, including her fellow World Sevens Series star Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, who scored twice on her first start.

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How Ireland manage those Sevens players will be interesting. This is a really exciting squad but if they don’t come back to 15s, do they have the depth to fill those gaps?

Managing those transitions will be crucial with World Cup qualifiers to come.

SCOTLAND AND WALES SERVE UP A TREAT

The final game of the day was possibly the most entertaining as Scotland and Wales released the handbrake in Glasgow.

Scotland have had a very good Championship – they were the only team to score a try against England – and stepped up another gear on Finals Day.

They were coming onto the ball hard, carrying well and playing with real width and ambition.

It was a really exciting game and Wales fought until the end. There has been a lot of talk around Wales in this Six Nations, with some unwelcome comments on social media adding to the pressure, so it was great to see them stand up, show their potential and silence those critics.

They had nothing to lose and they went for it – and it was great to see.

TEAM OF FINALS DAY

With all six teams in action on the same day for the first time, there were even more selection headaches – but here’s my Team of Finals Day.

Find out how many of these players made my Team of the Championship later this week by keeping across the Women’s Six Nations website and social channels…

15 Jasmine Joyce (Wales)

A constant threat with ball in hand and made a try-saving tackle on Liz Musgrove.

14 Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Ireland)

Two tries on her first start showed the quality we all know she has from her Sevens exploits in recent years.

13 Hannah Jones (Wales)

Played 12 on Saturday but I’ve moved her out to 13. Carried effectively and led well as captain in Siwan Lillicrap’s absence through injury.

12 Helen Nelson (Scotland)

Played 10 yesterday but quite a few players put their hands up so I’ve had to shift her to 12, which is another position she knows well. She led from the front as Scotland ended on a high.

11 Lisa Neumann (Wales)

Scored a brilliant individual try with no space to work in – an honourable mention goes to Megan Gaffney, who played well for Scotland in a try-scoring display.

10 Stacey Flood (Ireland)

Controlled the game in her first start at 10 and looked like she had been there for years.

9 Leanne Riley (England)

Made dominant tackles, organised the play well and gave England their structure.

1 Christine Belisle (Scotland)

Her try was just reward for a performance full of heart and serious work rate. Both Scottish props were on form. Annaëlle Deshayes for France also played well in a strong french scrum.

2 Cliodhna Moloney (Ireland)

Took her try really well, with great speed of thought. Elsewhere, Melissa Bettoni played well for Italy.

3 Rose Bernadou (France)

She put in a huge hit on Poppy Cleall. When she was temporarily off the pitch it was noticeable, as England won a scrum penalty and scored the only try of the game. Megan Kennedy was also a close contender after her performance against Wales.

4 Zoe Aldcroft (England)

Played on the flank this weekend and got Player of the Match but I’ve moved her up as there were so many good back-rowers – she has been brilliant throughout the Championship and saved her best until last.

5 Ilaria Arrighetti (Italy)

Another I’ve moved up from the flank. She has been instrumental for Italy this year, making useful breaks and carrying hard.

6 Dorothy Wall (Ireland)

Her try got Ireland up and running against Italy and another dominant display capped a fine individual Championship.

7 Evie Gallagher (Scotland)

She played 6 but I’ve moved her to 7 as she is capable of playing across the backrow. Scored a try and was simply everywhere for her side at Scotstoun.

8 Poppy Cleall (England)

Crossed for the decisive try in the final and for me, she’s been Player of the Championship. Has been key to England’s success. Sarah Hunter‘s impact off the bench was instrumental. Looking forward to seeing these two compete for the No.8 shirt going into the Rugby World Cup next year.