This video can not be played England beat France for their third Grand Slam in a row Red Roses full-back Emma Sing was not expecting a phone call from head coach John Mitchell while in a crochet class - a favourite activity in England's camp. It was Monday evening and day one of a week's preparation that ends with a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday was done. The 24-year-old back has not played since theopening-round win over Italy,but was at peace being below world player of the year Ellie Kildunne in the pecking order. But when she checked her phone to see a missed call from Mitchell, her mind quickly moved from crochet hooks to back three calls. Sing got in touch with Mitchell to find out Kildunne had a minor hamstring injury, so she would bestarting the Grand Slam decider. Following the team announcement, Mitchell described Sing as "world class" and said Saturday's match was an ideal chance to give Kildunne's deputy a proper workout before the Rugby World Cup. When asked if France will target Sing in the air onBBC's Rugby Union Weekly,Mitchell was quick to respond: "Good luck if they do. "Emma is a very hard tackle and outstanding in the air and doesn't need to be an Ellie Kildunne, she is Emma Sing who runs hard and straight and is elusive. "She'll cut you open as well." Sing was first capped in 2022 and is known for being a reliable goal-kicker, amassing 288 points for Gloucester-Hartpury over the past two Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) seasons. But her standout moments against Italy came with ball in hand, with three line-breaks and a try in the corner on her seventh cap showing a well-rounded game suited for international rugby. "Emma has been the best full-back in the PWR and it gives us another chance to adapt and deal with the situation," he added. Saturday, 26 April from 16:45 BST Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Watch live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and online, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and video highlights on the BBC Sport website and app This video can not be played Women's Six Nations highlights: England 59-7 Scotland The Red Roses are on a 24-game winning streak and chasing a 15th successive win over France to secure a seventh Six Nations title and a fourth Grand Slam in a row. Les Bleues last travelled to Twickenham in 2023, where they scored 33 second-half points to narrowly miss out on an incredible comeback. In last year's fixture, Mitchell's side remained clinical throughout to clinch a third successive Grand Slam with a42-21 win in Bordeaux. Fly-half Holly Aitchison guided England to victory that day and was in pole position to retain the 10 shirt this campaign, but Mitchell has instead split the workload between his three playmakers. Utility back Helena Rowland, who is named on the bench on Saturday, made one start at fly-half against Italy, while Aitchison was picked to start at 10 in last Saturday's hammering of Scotland. Saracens' Zoe Harrison started the World Cup final in 2022 and advanced her case in victories over Wales and Ireland, with the 27-year-old picked to start the decider because of her tactical kicking game. A pragmatic approach is suited to knockout-style rugby and a strong performance could seal Harrison's spot in the 10 shirt, but for Mitchell it is not that simple. "The end is the World Cup and I know exactly what Holly can do, so that equation is clear, but I don't know what Zoe Harrison can do or Helena Rowland," Mitchell added. "It would be stupid of me to go into 2025 with an eventuality that we might need one of them because we don't have the other two." Saturday will be England's last chance to lift a trophy in the same setting as September's World Cup final. "The occasion of playing here [Allianz Stadium] and it being a Grand Slam decider brings more of a buzz," Harrison told BBC Sport. "The World Cup final will be here, so getting to play finals before that is good for us as it brings confidence." England:Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Feaunati, Matthews. Replacements:Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland. France:Bourgeois; Grisez, M Menager, Vernier, Arbwy; Arbez, Bourdon; Brosseau, Bigot, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Feleu. Replacements:Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Queyroi. Referee:Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ) TMO:Quinton Immelman (SA)
'World class' Sing ready for Grand Slam decider
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Emma Sing to Start for England in Women's Six Nations Grand Slam Decider Against France"
Bbc News
7.7
TruthLens AI Summary
Emma Sing, the full-back for the Red Roses, received a surprise call from head coach John Mitchell while attending a crochet class, marking the beginning of preparations for the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France. After learning that world player of the year Ellie Kildunne had sustained a minor hamstring injury, Sing was informed she would be stepping into the starting role for the crucial match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Mitchell praised Sing as 'world class,' emphasizing that this match is an excellent opportunity for her to showcase her skills ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Sing, who has not played since the opening-round victory over Italy, is known for her reliability and impressive performance in the Premiership Women's Rugby, having scored 288 points over the past two seasons. Her prior match against Italy highlighted her ability to make impactful plays, including three line-breaks and a try, demonstrating her readiness for the international stage.
As the Red Roses prepare to extend their 24-game winning streak and secure their seventh Six Nations title, the strategic decisions surrounding the squad reflect a blend of experience and fresh talent. Mitchell has opted to rotate his playmakers, with Holly Aitchison, Zoe Harrison, and Helena Rowland all vying for the fly-half position. Harrison has been selected to start in the decider, showcasing her tactical kicking that could prove vital in the knockout-style rugby format. The match against France is significant not only for the title but also as a precursor to the World Cup final, which will also be held at the Allianz Stadium. This context adds an extra layer of excitement, as the players aim to build confidence through this high-stakes encounter. Sing's elevation to the starting lineup symbolizes the depth of talent within the England squad as they aim for yet another Grand Slam victory against a formidable opponent in France.
TruthLens AI Analysis
This article highlights the unexpected rise of Emma Sing as she prepares to step into a crucial role for the England women's rugby team in an upcoming Grand Slam decider against France. It showcases her journey, the support from her coach, and her potential impact on the game, while also touching on the broader context of women's rugby.
Purpose of the Article
The piece primarily aims to spotlight Emma Sing's emergence as a key player, emphasizing her skills and the trust placed in her by the coaching staff. By framing the narrative around her readiness and capability, the article seeks to inspire confidence in both the player and the team ahead of an important match. This creates a positive narrative about women's sports and encourages support and interest in the upcoming game.
Public Perception
This coverage is designed to foster a sense of excitement and optimism among fans, particularly those interested in women's sports. By presenting Sing as "world class," it elevates the perception of women's rugby and highlights the competitive nature of the sport. The focus on her abilities may also serve to draw in a wider audience, particularly young female athletes who might see her as a role model.
Hidden Aspects
While the article centers on Sing's story, it may divert attention from broader issues facing women's rugby, such as funding and media coverage compared to men's sports. By focusing on individual talent, it risks overshadowing systemic challenges that the sport faces, which may not be immediately apparent to readers.
Manipulative Nature of the Article
The article does not appear overtly manipulative; however, the language used is carefully crafted to create a favorable impression of Emma Sing and the team. Phrases like "world class" and "hard tackle" are used to build a strong image of Sing, which could be seen as a strategic way to generate hype for the match. This approach may be a deliberate attempt to enhance public interest and support, which can be perceived as a form of manipulation in shaping public opinion.
Reliability of the Information
The article seems to be credible, as it relies on direct quotes from the head coach and factual details about Sing's performance history. However, it is essential to consider that the portrayal is likely curated to highlight positive aspects, which may not provide a complete picture of the team's dynamics or challenges.
Community Support
The article appeals primarily to sports enthusiasts, particularly those interested in women's rugby. It aims to capture the attention of young athletes, parents, and fans of the sport, fostering a sense of community and support for the players.
Impact on Broader Markets
While this article may not have direct implications for stock markets or global financial trends, it can influence sponsorship opportunities and media deals in women's sports, potentially affecting companies involved in rugby or sports apparel.
Geopolitical Relevance
The article primarily focuses on a sporting event rather than geopolitical issues. However, it can contribute to the broader narrative of women's empowerment in sports, reflecting societal changes and the increasing visibility of women's athletics.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
It is unlikely that artificial intelligence played a significant role in crafting this article. The narrative appears to be human-generated, with personal anecdotes and quotes that suggest a level of journalistic insight and emotional engagement that AI would struggle to replicate effectively.
Conclusion on Manipulation
In summary, there are elements of strategic framing involved in this article, particularly in how it elevates Emma Sing's profile and the team's prospects. While the coverage is largely positive, it may unintentionally obscure more complex issues within women’s rugby. The article serves to promote interest and support for the sport but should be read critically to understand the full context of women's rugby’s ongoing challenges.