For most teams, a 35-match winning streak would be the definition of perfection. For England, it is simply another step in the process.
That is the mindset inside the Red Roses camp as they continue their relentless march through the women’s game, with prop Sarah Bern making it clear that standards remain as high as ever.
Fresh off an 84-7 demolition of Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations, Bern says nobody in the squad is satisfied yet.
“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 said.
“Every week we look at how can we develop our game. How can we push to have the best attack, the best defence, the best everything.
“Until we have that perfect game, I don’t think anyone will be happy.”
Standards remain sky high
England’s dominance has been staggering.
The reigning world champions have now won 65 of their last 66 Test matches, with only the 2022 World Cup final defeat to New Zealand interrupting an era of near-total control.
Yet inside camp, the focus remains on improvement rather than records.
Bern says the work done away from matchday often feels even more demanding than the games themselves.
“Our training sessions are not as long, but we try to push above and beyond the standards of a game,” she said.
The aim is simple: make matchday feel manageable because the hard work has already happened during the week.
That mentality has become a defining feature of the Red Roses under their current set-up. They do not train to maintain standards. They train to raise them.
Attack evolving beyond the pack
England’s set-piece power remains one of the most feared weapons in the women’s game, and it played a major role in last year’s World Cup triumph.
Ten of their 16 knockout-stage tries came through the forwards, underlining the dominance of their pack close to the line.
But Bern says the next phase of England’s evolution is about unpredictability.
“Where we’re trying to evolve to now is being threats from anywhere,” she said.
That shift reflects a broader ambition to make England more expansive and more dangerous across the pitch.
“We recognise that we won a World Cup, and it was great, but we definitely could have made improvements in our attack.”
Rather than simply relying on what has already worked, the Red Roses want to become less readable and more entertaining.
“We want people to come to the stadium and see something different every week.”
Building towards Wales test
Next up for England is a clash with Wales at Ashton Gate, where they will continue their bid for an eighth straight Six Nations title.
Given current form, England will head into the match as overwhelming favourites.
But within the squad, the target is not just another win.
It is another chance to edge closer to the performance they believe still lies ahead.
For a side already sitting at the top of the global game, that pursuit of perfection may be the most dangerous thing of all.
