A smooth Six Nations may be thorn in Red Roses side

Real challenge is needed to avoid another World Cup tragedy

- HARRY LATHAM

As richly rewarding a competition as it may be, the start of the Women’s Six Nations can sometimes be an exercise in finding new ways to ask the same old questions. For several years now, we have yearned for a challenger to rise and take on the Red Roses, to meet the might of rugby’s most dominant side, but six editions into their tournament monopoly, the prospect of a nonEnglish winner has never felt more distant.

That is not, at all, the fault of John Mitchell and his side, whose relentless pursuit of greatness, and the World Cup crown that eludes them, is evidenced by a switch of captain in what may prove a defining year. But it does mean that the lines of enquiry required when talking to the best and the rest are subtly different.

For instance, after unveiling his side to face Italy in York on Sunday at a Twickenham pub, Mitchell was probed on how he would weigh lopsided scorelines in the selection shake-up for a World Cup which is now hurtling into view. The enviable squad depth possessed by England creates unenviable headaches for their head coach, with as many as 40-45 worthy players having to be narrowed to 32 come the ultimate prize in August and September.

Narrowing down one’s options when you may not face a true test until the meeting with France on the final Saturday will not be easy. If that feels dismissive of England’s opposition, it is worth remembering that the Red Roses have won 50 of their last 51 games (with that harrowing World Cup final defeat the lone exception) and not lost on home soil in this tournament for a decade.