England have sent a defiant message to their rivals: "Come get us." As they prepare for a blockbuster Six Nations decider against France in Bordeaux, the Red Roses are bracing for their toughest test yet.

After four dominant wins—averaging nine tries and a staggering 41-point margin—England's 37-match winning streak faces its most serious threat. That streak, stretching back to a World Cup final defeat by New Zealand in November 2022, has rarely looked so vulnerable.

Yes, the timely returns of Maddie Feaunati, Sadia Kabeya, and Lilli Ives Campion bolster the squad. But make no mistake: this is a patched-up England side still finding its rhythm.

The injury list reads like a who's-who of English rugby. Delaney Burns has been pulled from deep in the second-row depth chart—brought back to the surface after pregnancies sidelined Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, and Rosie Galligan, and injury ruled out Morwenna Talling. Helena Rowland's playmaking at inside centre offers creativity, but lacks the direct power of the injured Tatyana Head. Prop Liz Crake, on a central contract but off the selection radar in 2025, is making a surprise bench cameo for the injured Kelsey Clifford. Demelza Short, a Bristol Bears teenager who played under-18s Six Nations last year and watched the autumn's World Cup as a fan, is now being fast-tracked into Test rugby.

Meanwhile, Natasha Hunt, Emily Scarratt, Alex Matthews, Abby Dow, Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, and May Campbell—all part of that title-winning Red Rose squad—are now plying their trade elsewhere.

This constantly changing cast has taken its toll on England's defence. The Red Roses have leaked points, looking vulnerable to sniping runs around the breakdown and driven mauls. Italy and Wales, who managed just five and 12 points respectively against England last year, have both picked up try-scoring bonuses in defeat this time around.

But head coach John Mitchell isn't worried. He's sold those high-scoring games as evidence of a new, swashbuckling style—a willingness to go toe-to-toe with the world. "We'll just keep scoring more," he said on Thursday. And for a team chasing an eighth successive Six Nations title, that confidence might be exactly what they need.