Until we have that perfect game, no-one will be happy

England’s Women’s Six Nations campaign kicks off against Wales on Saturday, with the team still seeking the ideal performance to satisfy their relentless pursuit of excellence. Prop Sarah Bern, who has tallied 34 tries across 81 appearances for the Red Roses, highlighted the squad’s drive to improve every week. “If you ask any of the girls, I don’t think we’ve put out a performance that we’re super proud of yet,” she stated. “Every week we look at how we can develop our game. How can we push to have the best attack, the best defence, the best everything?”

Despite their 84-7 victory over Scotland, marking their 35th consecutive Test win, the world champions are not resting on their laurels. They have secured 65 of their last 66 matches, with only a loss to New Zealand in the 2022 Rugby World Cup final interrupting their dominance. The squad is aiming for an eighth successive title in the Women’s Six Nations, and Bern emphasized that the goal of perfection remains a key motivator. “That might seem like an unattainable goal, but that’s in the Red Roses’ DNA to keep striving and pushing the barriers,” she added.

“Until we have that perfect game, I don’t think anyone will be happy,” Bern said.

Training sessions for the Red Roses are often more demanding than the actual matches. “Our training sessions are not as long, but we try to push above and beyond the standards of a game so that when we get to the game we can problem-solve and figure it out,” she explained. Bern noted that the team’s focus is on refining every aspect of their play, aiming to create a more dynamic and engaging spectacle for fans.

In the 2022 World Cup, 10 of England’s 16 tries came from their forwards, showcasing the power of their pack and set-piece strategies. However, the team is now shifting toward a more expansive approach, a move that Lou Meadows, their attack coach at the time, had championed before leaving her role after the tournament. Emily Scarratt has since taken over as the new attack coach, continuing the push for innovation.

England’s goal for the Six Nations is to become threats from any position, not just the forwards. “We recognize that we won a World Cup, and it was great, but we definitely could have made improvements in our attack,” Bern reflected. “We always talk about how even if something’s not broken, we can break it and start again. Just because it worked doesn’t mean we can’t change anything.” The team wants to ensure every match offers something new, fostering a culture of entertainment and showcasing the full range of their abilities.

The clash against Wales, who have recorded 11 losses in their last 12 Tests, will take place at a sold-out Ashton Gate in Bristol. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 14:15 BST and will be broadcast live on BBC Two and the BBC Sport website and app.