UK News
France v England: Women’s Six Nations 2026 finale – rugby union live | Women’s Six Nations
Key events
For England, everything is proceeding as they have foreseen, as they waited out the intial French energy to then dominate the back end of the half
France will be ruing their inability to capitalise on a dominant first quarter that was let down by the common themes that ran throughout the half for them: terrible lineout, awful handling precision in tight, and lack of patience. This feels like and impossible task for Les Bleues now, even if they do start holding onto the ball and catching their own lineout.
Half Time!
That’s the end of the first forty minutes.
TRY! France 7 – 26 England (Ellie Kildunne)
40 mins. Jones takes the lineout quickly for one last attack and the ball moves through a few phases before Kildunne is found in farmer’s field of space out left to walk it in.
No conversion this time.
39 mins. Kildunne boots for space towards the French 22, but Barrat covers across and calls the mark. The ball comes back from a Rowland boot and Arbez this time fields it and boots to touch.
38 mins. England have been utterly ruthless, as is their way, and the longer this goes on the more France’s heads are appearing to drop. If they could just hold onto the bloody ball they just might still be in with a chance, but it already feels to be lost.
TRY! France 7 – 21 England (Jess Breach)
36 mins. A catch and drive moves forward a few metres before teh ball is released to teh backs where it goes all hands via three players to Breach. The winger has a bit of work to do to squirm out of Murie’s tackle to ground in the right corner.
Harrison boots a fantastic conversion from way out east.
34 mins. A penalty is won in the scrum by England and when the advantage come to nothing Harrison finds touch just outside the French 5m area.
31 mins. Stop me if you’ve heard this before. France have a great attacking platform on the 22 where they are working phases to pull the English defence around, but the visitors remain organised and the slight manic energy in France’s obsession with moving the ball quickly results in players being a little isolated. This is all the opportunity Cockayne needs to exploit Fall Reclou lack of support and steal the ball in the breakdown.
If France lose this match they will look back on quite a few moments in the first half and be fuming. Credit to England though, who are not panicking in the face of an onslaught and are winning the match.
TRY! France 7 – 14 England (Ellie Kildunne)
29 mins. The home side’s lineout is now officially a significant problem as yet another is lost to an English disruptive jumper. This ruined platform in the opposition half is soon punished as a loose ball is hacked on by Jones into backfield where Kildunne (who else?) is first to it to score.
Harrison adds two.
26 mins. Each time France have the ball they are making metres but the England defence are so far doing enough to scramble and not only snuff it out, but force handling errors. The latest is after a fantastic carry by M Feleu ono the angle in midfield.
24 mins. After a dodgy start from England it’s now France’s turn to be imprecise at key moments, this time it’s Soqeta allowing the ball to squirm from her grasp as she carried from a lineout maul. The Red Roses again muff their own possession and we’ll have French scrum.
TRY! France 7 – 7 England (Sarah Bern)
22 mins. A 50:22 from Arbez is completely wasted by a Lazarko overthrow in the lineout which England gobble up and feed to Moloney-McDonald to race 40 metres up the left of the pitch. A few phases later, they are feet from the French line and hammering away; there are four drives repelled by the blue defence before Bern rattles and burrows over.
18 mins. England attempt to get a foothold in the game but there’s another handling error, this time from Feunati. The home side can’t capitalise and soon after lose the ball themselves to hand a scrum to the Red Roses on the halfway line. Theywin it comfortably but their open play phases are utterly splintered by the phenomenal defensive power from France. The ball is eventually booted away, in what feels like a small act of surrender.
TRY! France 7 – 0 England (Pauline Bourdon-Sansus)
14 mins. The pressure comes from England after the lineout is won, but France whip the ball back and decide it’s time to make the home crowd’s day by running it from deep. It comes to the left via four passes for Murie to race 30 metres, skittling a couple of tacklers before finding Chambon on the inside who pops to Bourdon-Sansus to run in unopposed.
A dazzling, all hands, 80 metre blinder from Les Bleues.
Arbez converts.
12 mins. Bern wins a penalty at the next sscrum as she drops the hammer on her opposite prop. This brings England’s first attack and when it slows up Harrison kicks behind Arbez who clears to touch.
10 mins. More territory for France as their utter dominance so far continues, the latest attempt to score is halted after Harrison flaps at a pass. The ref calls a knock-on as she did not consider it deliberate; a very debatable call to say the least.
Bourdon-Sansus then knocks on as she attempts to play out of from the scrum
7 mins. T Feleu has her first crash ball run of the game from a scrum and Harrison does well to hold onto her leg for dear life to stop the big woman breaking the line. The ball is recycled quickly and Kebaya finds herself a mile offside in the defensive line.
That’s three penalties in the opening minutes given against England.
4 mins. The lineout is fluffed to the England side with Ives Campion getting amongst the French throw. Champon wins it back soon after give Fall Raclou an opportunity to rumble forward in the 22, but Cockayne is on her to grip the ball like a horseshoe crab and win a relieving not releasing penalty for the Red Roses.
2 mins. France move the ball in the backs from the lineout and begin working phases on halfway. It’s broadly going nowhere, but the Red Roses defence drifts offside to gift the home side a penalty.
Kick off!
Zoe Harrison receives a deep kick and immediately launches it to touch from her boot.
Officials today
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett‑Theron (South Africa), Amber Stamp‑Dunstan (Wales)
Television Match Official (TMO): Matteo Liperini (Italy}
Here come the teams on a bright, clear but breezy late afternoon in Bordeaux. Madoussou Fall Raclou is first out to mark the occasion of her 50th cap, soon followed by the rest who take their places for the anthems.
Pre-match reading
Get in touch before and throughout the match on the email with any and all things you would like to bring to my attentions. I love reading your thoughts, even when you are having a go at me, so don’t be shy.
Teams
France have kept a largely unchanged side with only two forward switches, bringing in Ambre Mwayembe and Axelle Berthoumieu while maintaining a settled backline.
England have made multiple changes, reinforcing the pack with returning players including Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati who was a very late absentee last week. Ellie Kildunne moves from wing to full-back and meaning Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald will be in the wider berths. There are several bench options providing experience including Marlie Packer, the score of four tries vs Italy last time out.
France
15 Pauline Barrat, 14 Anaïs Grando, 13 Aubane Rousset, 12 Téani Feleu, 11 Léa Murie, 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus; 1 Ambre Mwayembe, 2 Mathilde Lazarko, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Siobhan Soqeta, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 7 Manae Feleu, 8 Léa Champon.
Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Yllana Brosseau, 18 Rose Bernadou, 19 Kiara Zago, 20 Cloé Correa, 21 Charlotte Escudero, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Lina Queyroi.
England
15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Lilli Ives Campion, 5 Delaney Burns, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Liz Crake, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Emma Sing
Preamble
Welcome to Bordeaux, where the usual suspects are here to punch it out in the usual way to determine if anything will change about England usually winning a Grand Slam.
The route of both sides to this final serving has on paper looked similar, each docket detailing comfortable wins with a sprinkling of right hammerings dished out. But look a little closer and you will see that France have shown the more obvious progression in form and gameplan; each week their attacking patterns have looked sharper with their defence growing more resolute. England will point to their regularly changing line-up due to injury, plus the pre tournament losses to retirement or pregnancy, while not unreasonably mentioning their form has remained pretty damn good throughout all things considered. If any team will test the depth and resilience of the formidable England resources, it’s today’s opponents.
A win today for John Mitchell’s outfit and they carry home a fifth consecutive Slam with the home side looking to secure their first since 2018. Les Bleues may never have a better chance, but lest we forget Canada thought something similar in the last World Cup before they were pulverised in the final by the Red Roses.
The aperitif fixtures have been consumed, followed by the entrée matches and we now reach the main course. Or is it the dessert with it being at the end? Whether you have a sweet or savoury tooth, this is the one you want to sit down for.
One of Scotland’s best and most loved rugby union players, Scott Hastings, has died at age 61.
Hastings, alongside his brother Gavin, was part of the last Scotland side to win a Grand Slam when they triumphed in the 1990 Five Nations.
While playing club rugby for Watsonians in his hometown of Edinburgh, Hastings earned 65 caps and toured twice with the British and Irish Lions in 1989 and 1993.
After ending his rugby career in 1999, Hastings became a well known rugby broadcaster, both as a commentator and pundit.
In 2022 Hastings revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer, receiving treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which could not be cured.
He was also known for his charity work in aid of mental health, motor neurone disease, and plenty of other causes.
Inducted into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame last year, Hastings is considered as one of Scotland’s greatest rugby union players.
Officers protecting the Royal Family in Berkshire investigated over allegations of sleeping on duty.
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UK News
Brentford v Crystal Palace, Leeds v Brighton, Everton v Sunderland: Premier League – live | Premier League
Key events
38 min: Everton 0-0 Sunderland A header from James Tarkowski is shovelled round the near post by Robin Roefs. A goal for Everton or Sunderland would change the picture in the race for eighth.
Ewan Murray
The placing of a full stop on any league campaign offers cause for reflection. In Scotland, there are reasons to wonder if the grim denouement to a stunning title race will prompt a shift in attitudes on two fronts. Whether a Celtic board which has been castigated for its stewardship regard the securing of another title as vindication is an intriguing question.
More immediate is how the champions and others will respond to the grim scenes that triggered an enforced conclusion to the visit of Hearts. The behaviour of a section of the Celtic support is so unruly during dominance that one wonders what on earth may happen if the team struggle badly.
Strand Larsen hits the post!
33 min: Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace A curling shot from Jorgan Strand Larsen beats Caiomhin Kelleher and clatters off the far post. Palace have hit both posts and could be out of sight already.
32 min: Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace A long cross is headed back across goal by Igor Thiago to Nathan Collins, who shoots straight at Dean Henderson from close range. A very good chance, though I think any goal would have been disallowed for offside against Igor Thiago.
Premier League latest scores
28 min: Wolves 1-0 Fulham Saying which, they’ve just had an excellent chance to equalise. A corner from the right was headed onto the roof of the net by Sander Berge with Jose Sa out of the game.
27 min: Wolves 1-0 Fulham Fulham’s form has gone to seed in the last few weeks:
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0-2 Liverpool (A)
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0-0 Brentford (A)
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1-0 Aston Villa (H)
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0-3 Arsenal (A)
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0-1 Bournemouth (H)
GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Fulham (Mane 26)
Mateus Mane, one of the few Wolves players to enhance his reputation this season, has smashed a 20-yarder past Bernd Leno at Molineux. That’s a cracking goal.
The latest Premier League scores
22 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton The away side have had 65 per cent possession in the first quarter of the game at Elland Road. No big chances yet for either team.
15 min: Everton 0-0 Sunderland Both sets of supporters break into a minute’s applause to pay tribute to Bradley Lowery, the former Sunderland mascot who would have been 15 today.
15 min: Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace The goalscorer Ismaila Sarr crashes a rising shot against the outside of the near post. Palace have made a blistering start, and if they play like this against Arsenal next week…
Here is the aforementioned as-it-stands table. Look how tight it is in the middle. Look!
12 min: Wolves 0-0 Fulham Timothy Castagne’s cross is met on the volley by Alex Iwobi, six yards out, and the Wolves keeper Jose Sa scrambles across his goalline to make a terrific save.
11 min: Everton 0-0 Sunderland That Palace goal is good news for both these teams, who still have a chance of finishing in the top eight and qualifying for Europe. In fact, an Everton goal would put them eighth in the eyes of our old friend, the as-it-stands table.
No goals in the other games as yet. Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost had a chance for Leeds against Brighton.
GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Palace (Sarr 6 pen)
Ismaila Sarr, who won the penalty, converts it superbly. Kelleher went the right way, to his right, but Sarr slapped the ball into the corner. That’s his 21st goal of an outstanding season.
5 min: Penalty to Palace The referee Sam Barrott is sent to the monitor and, after taking a few looks, overturns his original decision. Palace have an early chance to hurt Brentford’s European hopes.
3 min: Brentford 0-0 Palace There’s a VAR check for a potential Palace penalty. Ismaila Sarr went down after apparently caught by Caoimhin Kelleher, and it look like a penalty is going to be given.
Peep peep! The 3pm games are under way, and these are the latest scores.
In case you missed it, Xabi Alonso has been officially announced as the new manager of Chelsea. Here’s what Jacob Steinberg makes of the appointment.
Will Unwin
Match report: Man Utd 3-2 Nottm Forest
This is the new Manchester United era of happy accidents being overseen by Michael Carrick and helped by confusing officiating as they edged past Nottingham Forest. If it was not for a lack of obvious options five months ago, United and Carrick may not have been reunited, nor would they be third in the Premier League and heading back to the Champions League, on the day Bruno Fernandes equalled the all-time Premier League assist record.
Carrick has a two-year contract on the table and cannot require too much mulling over. The improving Old Trafford atmosphere was further boosted after the final home game being won partly thanks to a bizarre decision by Michael Salisbury to allow a Matheus Cunha goal to stand, on account of Bryan Mbeumo’s clear handball in the buildup being “accidental”, much to the confusion of everyone without a whistle.
“No drama in Scotland today, Rob,” begins Simon McMahon, “given that Dundee United were confirmed as CHAMPIONS!!! of the bottom six on Tuesday with a point at home to already relegated Livingston. Congratulations to them.
“St Mirren will play Partick Thistle in a two-legged play-off to decide who plays in the Scottish Premiership next season. There are games today, United currently 1-0 up at Paisley, and Dundee 1-1 Aberdeen, Livingston 1-1 Kilmarnock.”
Louise Taylor
Enzo Le Fée has been chatting for 25 minutes when it becomes clear that his ability to extract rabbits from hats is not confined to the pitch.
“I’m a magician,” says Sunderland’s French playmaker as the conversation drifts to life off the field. “Yes, really! I can do some magic, tricks with the cards, that sort of thing. I used to practise a lot when I was young so I got really good. I still sometimes like to do my tricks but I’m a bit shy about performing them now.”
These days Le Fée prefers to concentrate on casting his spells on rival teams, bewitching Sunderland fans and bewildering opponents in equal measure. Régis Le Bris’s £20m signing from Roma possesses an unerring ability to glimpse attacking possibilities undetected by other players and transform midfield chaos into a coherent threat.
Wolves v Fulham preview
Daniel Harris
It’s more than a month since Josh King started a game for Fulham – he was hooked at half-time during the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool, since when he has featured solely off the bench and never for longer than 26 minutes. It makes sense for Marco Silva to protect and nurture such a precious talent – especially given King plays in the middle of midfield, no country for young men. But he is also preparing his team to go again – whether he is in charge or not – and a game against a relegated side is surely an opportunity to field a player who, after a period of acclimatisation this season, can be a mainstay next.
There are many youngsters with vivid imagination and superb technical skill, but what marks King out is his ability to accept the ball under pressure and either pass forward or beat men, opening up the pitch in the process. He is raw, but the aim should be to be ready in August.
Everton v Sunderland preview
Andy Hunter
Everton’s strikers have been largely responsible for limiting the team’s progress this season but it is their defence that has cost them in the final push for European qualification. That ambition appeared unrealistic at the start of the campaign, and there is still a slim chance it could be realised with several favourable results, but, for a manager who prides himself on solid defensive foundations, the past few weeks will have infuriated David Moyes.
His team would be sitting level with sixth-placed Bournemouth but for squandering six points in their past four games, each one characterised by poor defending whether at set pieces, against Liverpool and West Ham, or from open play, versus Manchester City and Crystal Palace. The downturn can be pinpointed to the 87th minute of the Merseyside derby when Jarrad Branthwaite, the team’s best defender, was carried off with a season-ending injury. Everton coped well with his absence in the first half of the season but have failed to rediscover that resilience since his latest hamstring setback.
Leeds v Brighton preview
Louise Taylor
Georginio Rutter returns to Elland Road on Sunday, doubtless hoping he will not have to spend another afternoon on the bench. The former Leeds forward joined Brighton for a record £40m in 2024 but, after a decent first season on the south coast, the Frenchman has struggled for game time this term, scoring only three goals and starting just one of the past seven games.
Part of the problem is that Fabian Hürzeler has made the excellent Danny Welbeck his principal striker, while Jack Hinshelwood has shone in Rutter’s preferred No 10 role. “I know Georginio’s not happy with his game minutes,” said Brighton’s head coach. “That’s normal … but he’s 100% committed. I feel he’s there for his teammates and for the club. It’s team first and there are moments when you have to put your ego behind you. Of course he’s not happy, that’s normal, but I’m pleased with his reaction.”
Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford in the day’s early game. Just don’t mention the VAR.
Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland mascot whose battle with neuroblastoma helped raise than more £1m before his death in 2017, would have been 15 today. There will be a minute’s applause at Hill Dickinson Stadium after 15 minutes of today’s game, and two fans – one of each club – have cycled to the ground from the Stadium of Light to raise funds for the Bradley Lowery Foundation. Hats off to them.
Two more goals have been scored in a thrilling end-of-a-season game at Old Trafford, and Bruno Fernandes has equalled a major Premier League record. Clickity click click click!
Brentford v Crystal Palace preview
John Brewin
Brentford’s push for Europe continues, with complicated permutations likely to determine their destiny. The picture may not be clear until the final kicks of the season. Should Aston Villa win the Europa League on Wednesday and finish fifth in the Premier League, a Champions League spot opens up for sixth place. Brentford can close the gap on sixth by beating a Crystal Palace side with an eye on 27 May’s Conference League final. Bournemouth do not play until Tuesday.
On the final day, should Villa be beating Manchester City and closing on finishing above Liverpool or Manchester United it could well be in Brentford’s or Brighton’s interest to lose to those teams; Brentford are at Liverpool a week on Sunday. Quite the equation for Keith Andrews. Should it fall his way, he would deserve the manager of the season award. There’s a strong case to say he already does.
Wolves v Fulham team news
Wolves (3-4-2-1) Jose Sa; Mosquera, S Bueno, Krejci; R Gomes, J Gomes, Andre, Moller Wolfe; Armstrong, Mane; Hwang.
Subs: H Bueno, Arokodare, Lima, T Gomes, Bentley, Bellegarde, Tchatchoua, A Gomes, Edozie.
Fulham (4-2-3-1) Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Bobb, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz.
Subs: Tete, Jimenez, Wilson, Cairney, Cuenca, Chukwueze, Kevin, Lecomte, King.
Leeds v Brighton team news
Leeds (3-5-2) Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Bornauw; James, Stach, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson.
Subs: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Byram, Gnonto, Chadwick, Cresswell, Lienou.
Brighton (4-2-3-1) Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Gross; Minteh, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Welbeck.
Subs: March, Rutter, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Steele, Gomez, Ayari, O’Riley.
Everton v Sunderland team news
Seamus Coleman starts on the bench, though he’ll surely come on at some stage. There will be a helluva noise when he does.
Everton (4-2-3-1) Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Garner; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.
Subs: Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Travers, George, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Armstrong.
Sunderland (4-2-3-1) Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Mandava; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey.
Subs: Cirkin, Talbi, Rigg, Mayenda, O’Nien, Isidor, Diarra, Ellborg, Ta Bi.
Brentford v Crystal Palace team news
Brentford (4-3-3) Kelleher; Kayode, Ayer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Jensen, Yarmolyuk; Dango, Thiago, Damsgaard.
Subs: Validmarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Schade, Dasilva, Nelson, Furo.
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1) Henderson; Riad, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Strand Larsen.
Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Richards, Devenny, Lerma, Hughes, Johnson, Guessand, Mateta.
Andy Hunter
David Moyes has described Séamus Coleman as “the glue that kept Everton together” during their relegation fights and vital to the club’s survival in the Premier League.
The Everton manager’s tribute came after Coleman announced his distinguished 17-year playing career with the club would end when his contract expires next month. Everton have offered the 37-year-old a coaching role from this summer but he wants to continue playing for the Republic of Ireland and may look for another club.
Coleman has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons but has remained a huge influence on standards behind the scenes. The captain galvanised the team during relegation fights under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, and Moyes said Everton’s top-flight status would have been in greater jeopardy but for Coleman.
Manchester United lead Nottm Forest 2-1 in the early game at Old Trafford. You can follow the last half an hour with Michael Butler.
Preamble
Hello, good day and welcome to our penultimate clockwatch of the 2025-26 Premier League season. There are four games kicking off at 3pm, all involving teams hoping to use their passport next season:
Manchester City’s FA Cup final victory was good news for Brighton, Brentford, Everton, Fulham and Sunderland, as it means whoever finishes eighth in the Premier League will qualify for the Conference League.
Brighton and Brentford, in particular, are aiming higher – the Europe League, perhaps even the Champions League if Aston Villa beat Freiburg on Wednesday and create a sixth-placed trophy.
It’s all pretty complicated, and if we look at any more permutations our head will explode like yer man in Scanners. So for now, let’s concentrate on the here and now: four important games, for which we’ll have team news shortly.
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