Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of The Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2024 – Watch Every Game Live On BBC iPlayer.
The Fixtures…
Gameweek 1
Saturday 23rd March
France v Ireland, 14:15 GMT, Stade Marie-Marvingt
Wales v Scotland, 16:45 GMT, Cardiff Arms Park
Sunday 24th March
Italy v England, 15:00 GMT, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Gameweek 2
Saturday 30th March
Scotland v France, 14:15 GMT, Hive Stadium
England v Wales, 16:45 GMT, Ashton Gate
Sunday 31st March
Ireland v Italy, 15:00 GMT, RDS Arena
Gameweek 3
Saturday 13th April
Scotland v England, 14:15 GMT, Hive Stadium
Ireland v Wales, 16:45 GMT, Virgin Media Park
Sunday 14th April
France v Italy, 12:30 GMT, Stade Jean Bouin
Gameweek 4
Saturday 20th April
England v Ireland, 14:15 GMT, Twickenham
Italy v Scotland, 16:45 GMT, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Sunday 21st April
Wales v France, 15:15 GMT, Cardiff Arms Park
Gameweek 5
Saturday 27th April
Wales v Italy, 12:15 GMT, Principality Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, 14:30 GMT, Kingspan Stadium
France v England, 16:45 GMT, Stade Chaban-Delmas
Last Year…
1st England
The Red Roses made amends for their World Cup disappointment by claiming their fifth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title, beating all five other nations to be crowned Grand Slam champions in 2023. They’ll be hoping to make it six on-the-bounce in this year’s edition and would be disappointed with anything else.
2nd France
The chief threat to England found themselves 33-0 down, after just 40 minutes, in last year’s encounter – but a spirited fightback saw them concede just five points in the second-half, which proved to be the difference, as they fell just short of spoiling the party in front of a record crowd at Twickenham. Should they make a better start at home, in what is set to be an epic finale, they are a real and genuine threat to England’s mounting dominance.
3rd Wales
Wales’ first year with a full-time professional squad saw them fall to heavy defeats, totalling over 80 points, against England and France – who went fully professional in 2019. The key for Wales is bridging the gap. They may not yet have the beating of England or France, but will be hoping to narrow the margin significantly.
4th Scotland
Scotland are another side slowly bridging the gap and last year’s fourth-placed finish was the best since England and France turned professional. They went on to win the WXV2 title and much the same as Wales, will be hoping to make a mark in this year’s tournament.
5th Italy
Fifth place has been the story for Italy in the last couple of years. Much like the men did, they showed plenty of promise but were somewhat erratic in their playing style. A more disciplined Italian side are more than capable of following their male counterparts and springing a surprise or two this year.
6th Ireland
It’s no understatement to say Ireland have been a side who have regressed in recent years, and their 2023 Wooden Spoon will still be fresh in the memory. However, the future is looking a little brighter for the future of Irish women’s rugby, with Leinster & Ulster’s Wolfhounds beating Scottish & Welsh sides to become Celtic Challenge champions.
The Teams…
England; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Kelsey Clifford, 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Sadia Kabeya, 7 Marlie Packer 8 Sarah Beckett, 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Jess Breach, 12 Emily Scarratt, 13 Helena Rowland, 14 Abby Dow, 15 Ellie Kidunne
Repalcements; Connie Powell, Mackenzie Carson, Maud Muir, Maddie Feaunati, Alex Matthews, Natasha Hunt, Holly Aitchison, Megan Jones.
France; 1 Annaelle Deshaye, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Manae Feleu, 5 Madoussou Fall, 6 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Gaelle Hermet, 8 Romane Menager, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 10 Lina Queyroi, 11 Marine Menager, 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 13 Nassira Konde, 14 Kelly Arbey, 15 Emilie Boulard
Replacements; Elisa Riffoneau, Ambre Mwayembe, Clara Joyeux, Kiara Zago, Emeline Gros, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Tuy, Morgane Bourgeois.
Wales; 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4 Natalia John, 5 Abbie Fleming, 6 Alisha Butchers, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Bethan Lewis, 9 Keira Bevan, 10 LLeucu George, 11 Nel Metcalf, 12 Kerin Lake, 13 Hannah Jones, 14 Jasmine Joyce, 15 Jenny Hesketh
Replacements; Carys Phillips, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Sian Jones, Niamh Terry, Carys Cox.
Scotland; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Sarah Bonar, 6 Rachel Malcolm, 7 Alex Stewart, 8 Evie Gallagher, 9 Caity Mattinson, 10 Helen Nelson, 11 Coreen Grant, 12 Lisa Thomson, 13 Emma Orr, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 15 Meryl Smith
Replacements; Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan, Eva Donaldson, Mairi McDonald, Shona Campbell, Chloe Rollie.
Italy; 1 Gaia Maris, 2 Silvia Turani, 3 Sara Seye, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Sara Tounesi, 6 Isabella Locatelli, 7 Francesca Sgorbini, 8 Giulia Cavina, 9 Sofia Stefan, 10 Veronica Madia, 11 Alyssa D’Inca, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 13 Michela Sillari, 14 Aura Muzzo, 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
Replacements; Laura Gurioli, Emanuela Stecca, Lucia Gai, Alessia Pilani, Giordana Duca, Alessandra Frangipani, Emma Stevanin, Francesca Granzotto.
Ireland; 1 Linda Djougang, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Christy Haney, 4 Dorothy Wall, 5 Hannah O’Connor, 6 Aoife Wafer, 7 Edel McMahon, 8 Brittany Hogan, 9 Aiobheann Reilly, 10 Nicole Fowley, 11 Beibhinn Parsons, 12 Aoife Dalton, 13 Eve Higgins, 14 Katie Corrigan, 15 Lauren Delany
Replacements; Sarah Delaney, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Molly Scuffil McCabe, Dana O’Brien, Meabh Deely.
Players To Watch…
England – Marlie Packer (Flanker)
The England captain will be joining team-mate Emily Scarratt in the Centurion Club – winning her 100th cap in the tournament opener, against Italy. Expect the World Player of the Year to be in the thick of the action, from rock-solid defence to powerful try-scorer – Packer is the complete package!
Ireland – Edel McMahon (Flanker)
Ireland’s co-captain is a constant threat to the opposition breakdown – being hailed as the Turnover Queen for her immense tackling abilities and affectionately known to her teammates as ‘Tricky’. McMahon has earned huge plaudits for her leadership qualities from head coach, Scott Bemand, and is another one to watch for aspiring captains.
Scotland – Rhona Lloyd (Winger)
Lloyd is a woman with pace to burn! Part of the GB 7s team, she’s the ultimate speedster with ball-in-hand and be prepared to witness some Scottish magic should the winger be given an inch of space on the wing.
Wales – Jasmine Joyce (Winger)
Joyce joins Lloyd as another rapid GB 7s player and a prolific try-scorer – having scored. 205 points in 66 appearances on the HSBC 7s circuit. With her dazzling footwork, the 28-year-old will cause problems for even the best defenders.
Italy – Beatrice Rigoni (Centre)
Easily recognisable in her flamboyant yellow scrum cap, Rigoni is a super-skilful centre whose handling exploits have seen her being lauded as the Italian Magician. Any match involving the centre is sure to provide fireworks.
France – Gabrielle Vernier (Centre)
Player of the Championship last year, Vernier is as skilful as she is formidable in midfield. Her five-try haul and offloading prowess earned her the title in 2023 – along with her bone-crunching defence – and she is widely regarded as one of the best centres in the world.
