England’s Red Roses made history again on Sunday, crushing France 43-28 in Bordeaux to land their fifth straight Six Nations Grand Slam. That’s five titles in a row, eight overall, and a 38-Test winning streak that’s matched by no other team in women’s rugby. It’s a run that started before most of the current squad were even born, and they just keep proving they’re the best in the game.

How they did it despite the odds

The Red Roses walked into this tournament missing a chunk of their World Cup-winning spine. World Cup captain Zoe Stratford, locks Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan, and hooker Lark Atkin-Davies were all out with pregnancies. Forwards Hannah Botterman and May Campbell, plus back Tatyana Heard, missed through injury. Then in the opening round alone, Alex Matthews, Natasha Hunt, and Morwenna Talling all went down with season-ending injuries. That left England with a squad thinner than anyone expected when the tournament started.

Yet somehow, they still found a way. Five debutants got their first taste of senior rugby in this campaign, and the team’s depth showed every time someone stepped up. When Sarah Bern or Marlie Packer weren’t available, someone else stepped into the breach. The bench that kept churning out game-changers became as much a weapon as the starting XV.

The moment it clicked

France pushed hard in Bordeaux, but England’s set-piece work and quick rucks kept them in control. Emily Scarratt kicked 18 points, including four penalties and two conversions, while Megan Jones and Abbie Fleming scored tries. France fought back to 28-36 with 20 minutes left, but England’s defense held firm. The final score flattered France slightly—the Red Roses were never really threatened after halftime.

Coach John Mitchell admitted the team’s journey this year had been unlike any other. “We’ve had players become mums this season while others fought their way back from injury,” he said. “The girls who stepped in? They’re the bravest, most driven players I’ve ever seen. They’ve earned this.”

What’s next for the Red Roses

This Grand Slam seals England’s status as the undisputed kings of women’s rugby. Their next challenge comes in July, when they face the Black Ferns in a two-test series in New Zealand. The All Blacks’ women have been on a tear, too, so expect a fierce fight. For the Red Roses, the question now is: can they keep this squad together long enough to go even further? With Stratford, Ward, Galligan, and Atkin-Davies due back next year, the future looks bright. But for now, they’re savoring the moment—and it’s well deserved.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Sky Sports
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 21:00 UTC
  • Category: Sports
  • Topics: #sky-sports · #football · #premier-league · #red-roses · #england · #grand-slam

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O seleção feminina de rugby da Inglaterra cravou seu nome na história mais uma vez ao conquistar o quinto Grand Slam consecutivo no Torneio das Seis Nações em 2026, mesmo com uma série de ausências importantes por gravidez e lesões. Em uma campanha que reforçou a hegemonia britânica no esporte, as Red Roses superaram adversidades e adversárias com autoridade, consolidando seu domínio no rugby europeu.

Este feito não é apenas uma vitória esportiva, mas um marco para o rugby feminino mundial e, especialmente, para o Brasil, onde o esporte ainda luta por maior visibilidade e investimento. A Inglaterra, tradicional potência no rugby, serve como inspiração para o desenvolvimento da modalidade no país, que recentemente viu a seleção masculina se classificar para sua primeira Copa do Mundo de Rugby em 2023. A proeza das Red Roses reforça a importância de políticas de apoio a atletas, como licença-maternidade e prevenção de lesões, temas que ganham cada vez mais relevância até mesmo em nações onde o esporte ainda é visto como masculino.

Com a próxima edição do torneio já no horizonte, a Inglaterra se prepara para defender seu título, enquanto outras seleções, como a França e a Irlanda, buscarão encerrar a sequência britânica — um desafio que promete manter o rugby feminino no centro das atenções nos próximos anos.