Red Roses win 2020 Women’s Six Nations
The Red Roses have been crowned winners of the 2020 Women’s Six Nations, a record 16th title.
A late Scotland comeback to earn a 13-13 draw with France means England cannot be caught at the top of the table, and are champions with a game to spare.
England still have one game remaining and head to Italy on Sunday 1 November (KO 1700 GMT) looking to secure back-to-back Grand Slam titles.
Before the competition was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic England won their opening four games.
That run included a sensational 19-13 victory over France at the Stade du Hameau. Tries from Abby Dow, Vicky Fleetwood and Emily Scarratt helped them to four points in Pau.
They followed that up with a bonus-point win in blizzard-like conditions over Scotland at Murrayfield, with further victories over Ireland and Wales putting the Red Roses in pole position for the title.
But the pandemic meant a near eight-month break in the competition.
Red Roses head coach Simon Middleton said: “We are delighted to have retained the title after four big performances from the team to date.
"It's a fitting reward for all the hard work put in earlier this year.
“We have a big week ahead and the aim is to stay focussed on securing the Grand Slam in Italy next weekend.”
Middleton will announce his squad for the Italy game later this week.
