England welcome Ireland to the Ricoh Arena to start the final round of the Women’s Six Nations in a must-win game if they’re to have any hope of lifting the Championship trophy.
The Red Roses must win and hope France lose in Wales to overhaul the three-point gap to Les Bleues at the top of the league table.
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ONES TO WATCH
Ellie Kildunne: The England full-back has been in fine form in the Championship so far and has four tries to her name in as many games.
She opened her Championship with a score against Italy before grabbing two against Wales including a fine break from inside her own half.
And the 18-year-old was at it again as she dotted down against Scotland, she now has eight tries from seven caps, not bad for a teenager in her first Women’s Six Nations
Ciara Griffin: Ireland’s Griffin was named captain at the start of the Championship and she has led by example thus far in the Women’s Six Nations.
Griffin shifts to No.8 to face England as Ireland look to get their third win of the Championship but third is as high as they can finish this weekend.
2018 CHAMPIONSHIP TO DATE
Reigning champions England’s narrow one-point defeat last week against France, in front of a record crowd, was their first loss of the Championship.
They had started the Women’s Six Nations with a 42-7 win over Italy and followed that up with a 52-0 success over Wales at the Twickenham Stoop.
A 43-8 triumph over Scotland followed but the 18-17 defeat to France last week means even success against Ireland at Donnybrook may not be enough to be crowned champions.
Ireland suffered a 24-0 loss to France back at the beginning of February but bounced back with home victories over Italy and Wales in rounds two and three.
A narrow defeat to Scotland last weekend means they look almost certain to finish third.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
England lifted the Women’s Six Nations title last year, their first triumph since 2012. That success in 2012 was their sixth Grand Slam in the last seven years.
Ireland picked up their first Women’s Six Nations trophy in 2013 and followed that up with further success in 2015 – they haven’t finished below third since 2008.
