Let \(f:S\rightarrow B\) a locally non-trivial fibred surface with fibres of genus g. Let \(u_f\) be its unitary rank, i.e. the rank of the flat unitary part in the second Fujita decomposition. We study in detail the case when \(u_f\) is maximal, i.e. \(u_f=g-1\) . In this case necessarily \(g\le 6\) , but examples in genus 5 and 6 are not known, and conjecturally do not exist. We prove a strong slope inequality for these extremal cases. We then use this inequality, together with results on trigonal curves, to give new constraints on the case \(g=6\) , \(u_f=5\) . In particular, we prove that the index of the surface is always strictly positive and give strong limitations on the possible classes of the relative canonical divisor.