Wing Abby Dow reveals how veteran attack guru Brian Ashton has sparked England try glut in Women’s Six Nations as John Mitchell’s team close in on sixth successive title

Brian Ashton may be 77 but the former England men’s head coach still has a significant influence on his country’s rugby success after helping the Red Roses develop their attacking game.

The England women’s side will take on France in Bordeaux on Saturday in search of another Grand Slam and what would be a sixth consecutive Six Nations title. John Mitchell’s side are likely to do just that after scoring a whopping 38 tries and 228 points in their four wins so far in 2024.

Ashton, who led the England men’s side to the 2007 World Cup final, plays no official role in the current women’s set-up but his input has clearly been invaluable.

“Brian was great. He’s one of those people who doesn’t say much, but when he does say something, make sure you listen. He has words of wisdom in meetings,” said England winger Sadia Kabeya.

‘As an attacker, who is not so used to playing in the wide channels, he gives me little tips and tricks. It helped develop my game. At my club I’m not used to playing wide, but I’m learning to develop my link play with the outside backs, which has been really good.”

Attacking guru Brian Ashton (above) led the England men’s team to the 2007 World Cup final

Red Roses wing Abby Dow said of Ashton: “I absolutely adore the man.

“He lets us ask questions. The way he puts it almost makes you think about the philosophy of rugby. I think the English brand is kicking the bucket, taking over the territory.

‘But is that the philosophy of all rugby? Can we expand that?’

England are the dominant force in women’s rugby and have become accustomed to beating everyone before them.

But new head coach Mitchell has added a new offensive dimension to the team in his first season.

Fullback Ellie Kiltun has scored nine tries so far in these Six Nations and is part of an electric England back three alongside wings Dow and Jess Breach.

England scored 14 tries in an 88-10 hammering of Ireland at Twickenham in the fourth round.

The result raised questions about the competitiveness of the Women’s Six Nations, but also once again highlighted how far ahead England are of their northern hemisphere rivals.

France, who have also taken four of four wins in the championship this year, are the only team that can rival them but will still be big underdogs at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

England hooker Amy Cokayne is back from a one-match suspension that forced her to sit out the Ireland clash to start against France. Cokayne is the only change Mitchell has made to the starting XV, with Kilnauw, Dow and Breach looking to cause more carnage. The three have a combined 18 attempts.

Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and Wales’ summer tour of Australia after fracturing his shoulder during his comeback in Cardiff. The 104-cap international No.8, 33, was just 30 minutes into his first game of 2024 when he left the field with his arm against Ulster last Friday.

Faletau has been on the sidelines since the World Cup last year when he broke his arm against Georgia. His return was delayed by a calf injury, which ruled him out of Wales’ winless Six Nations, and his cruel fitness setback shows no signs of coming to an end.