The women's Six Nations kicks off on Saturday. This will be the first international tournament since England won the World Cup and thus it's the kickoff of a new cycle. England have made it clear that they are continuing to develop their style and are starting all over for this next cycle and the other 5 teams will be powered by renewed hope after a blockbuster tournament. This is a quick breakdown of each of the 6 sides going into what could be an historic Six Nations.

England

Best ever finish: 1st (2003,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2017,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024,2025)

2025 Result: 1st

World Ranking: 1st

Head Coach: John Mitchell

Captain: Megan Jones

Star player: Ellie Kildunne

Young player to watch: Mia Venner

Fixtures:

HOME vs Ireland 11th April

AWAY vs Scotland 18th April

HOME vs Wales  25th April

AWAY vs Italy  9th May

AWAY vs France 17th May

The winners of the previous six editions of the Six Nations have now added a World Cup to their trophy cabinet and are the favourites to top the table once again. Unlike many World Cup winning teams, this England side is relatively young and so has faced minimal turnover in the wake of their home triumph. The retirement of Emily Scarratt didn't come as a surprise but Abby Dow opting to walk away from the game at the age of 28 has caught many off guard. The only other major omissions from this squad are a result of injury or pregnancy. This creates opportunities for new players whilst maintaining a cohesive playing group with the same coaching staff.

The front row remains strong with Lark Atkin-Davies the only omission as a result of injury. In her absence, May Campbell will likely step up as the second-choice to Amy Cokayne. The prop position is a huge strength for England but the players, who are part of it, are all fairly young. Carson and Clifford will hopefully be able to build up some more experience throughout the competition whilst Lizzie Hanlon will likely have to settle for a cap against Wales as she gains experience at a new level. 

The second row has been hit harder than any other group. Cath O'Donnell is missing due to personal reasons, Rosie Galligan is out with a shoulder issue, and both Abbie Ward and Zoe Stratford (formerly Aldcroft) are both pregnant. That leaves Lillie Ives Campion and Morwenna Talling as the remaining players from the World Cup squad. Verghese and Balogun have been brought in to provide some depth. The gap left by those experienced players is actually a good thing for England. Talling and Ives Campion are young, talented players who wouldn't have been able to have enough opportunities if those 3 experienced players were all available.

The back row remains a big strength of this team but there is now a gap at 6. Zoe Stratford, despite playing most of her career as a lock, made the blindside flanker position her own. Her pregnancy now leaves a position for some new names to contest. Mathews and Kabeya are locks for the starting XV but the final slot is up for grabs. Demelza Short and Daisy Hibbert-Jones are specialist blindside flankers, who are new additions to the squad whilst Burton, Feaunati and Lutui are all more natural no.8 players who could also slot in there. This could be a more realisitc path for them given that Mathews is very unlikely to relinquish her hold on the no.8 position. Feaunati has been a regular bench player for England but could go to a new level with a proper opportunity. Haineala Lutui is an exciting prospect who should get some game-time against the weaker sides in this competition. She is so young that she will still be an exciting young player after the next World Cup, and she's already tearing up the PWR.

The competitions at half-back remain the same. Aitchison and Harrison could both start whilst Rowland is an outside option, who is perfectly built to be on the bench, due to her versatility. Lucy Packer and Natasha Hunt are the scrum-half options whilst Flo Robinson is a new addition to the group. John Mitchell will be very interested in the performance of Flo Robinson given that Hunt is already 37 and is likely playing until the inaugural Women's Lions Tour in 2027. Ella Wywras is obviously another name under consideration given that she was named alongside several England stalwarts on the list of players who were unavailable for selection.

Elsewhere amongst the backs, Jade Sheckells is out injured whilst Sarah Parry is the new young player at the position. She offers a slightly different skillset at the position to Tatyana Heard. Heard and Jones are the obvious starting partnership. Barring any huge surprises, they will be joined by Kildunne and Breach in the starting side. The identity of the other winger in the team is currently in question. Westcombe-Evans, Venner, Moloney-Macdonald and David are all in with a chance of starting there and are all in good form. It will be a matter of personal preference for John Mitchell and is something to watch going forward.

England are massive favourites for the title and should bring it home. However, Ireland are improving and France are always dangerous. Lest we forget, France made a second-half comeback to only lose by 1-point at Twickenham last year and this time England will be travelling to France instead. This is a great test for a developing side.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Hannah Botterman, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford

Hooker: May Campbell, Amy Cokayne, Connie Powell

Tighthead Prop: Sarah Bern, Lizzie Hanlon, Maud Muir

Lock: Christiana Balogun, Lilli Ives Campion, Morwenna Talling, Jodie Verghese

Back Row: Abi Burton, Maddie Feaunati, Daisy Hibbert-Jones, Sadia Kabeya, Haineala Lutui, Alex Mathews, Annabel Meta, Marlie Packer, Demelza Short

Scrum-half: Natasha Hunt, Lucy Packer, Flo Robinson

Fly-half: Holly Aitchison, Zoe Harrison, Helena Rowland

Centre: Tatyana Heard, Megan Jones(C), Sarah Parry

Back 3: Jess Breach, Millie David, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-Macdonald, Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Bo Westcombe-Evans

Unavailable for Selection: Lark Atkin-Davies, Rosie Galligan, Cath O'Donnell, Jade Shekells, Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Ella Wyrwas

Potential XV and bench

1.Hannah Botterman 2.Amy Cokayne 3.Sarah Bern 4.Morwenna Talling 5.Lillie Ives Campion

6.Maddie Feaunati 7.Sadia Kabeya 8.Alex Mathews 9.Natasha Hunt 10.Zoe Harrison

11.Bo Westcombe-Evans 12.Tatyana Heard 13.Megan Jones(C) 14.Jess Breach 15.Ellie Kildunne

Bench

16.May Campbell 17.Kelsey Clifford 18.Maud Muir 19.Christiana Balogun

20.Abi Burton 21.Lucy Packe 22.Holly Aitchison 23.Helena Rowland

France

Best Ever Finish: 1st (2002,2004,2005,2014,2016,2018)

2025 Result: 2nd

World Ranking: 4th

Head Coach: Francois Ratier

Captain: Manae Feleu

Star Player: Pauline Bourdon Sansus

Young Player to Watch: Ambre-Saadia Mwayembe

Fixtures:

HOME vs Italy 11th April

AWAY vs Wales 18th April

HOME vs Ireland 25th April

AWAY vs Scotland 8th May

HOME vs England 17th May

The perennial runners-up at this tournament will be hoping to finally topple the Red Roses having come within 2 points of doing so this time last year. However, they will also have to watch their backs after nearly losing to Ireland twice last year and they'll know that a top-2 finish is far from guaranteed. This is a very young squad with only a few players north of 30-years-old and it's one that will focus on building for the future whilst still competing in the present.

Look out for their athletic back 5 headed up by Fall Raclot and Manae Feleu with Escudero and Champon in the back row.  Ambre-Saadia Mwayembe has already earned caps for her country but she could easily be the breakout player from this year's tournament. Deshaye and Bernadou will give them a solid foundation up front but it's France's athleticism that will give them an edge in this competition.

There are some big stars across the backs. Bourdon Sansus, in particular, is one to watch, She is the talisman of this team and is one of the top 3 players in Europe. She will look to unleash the likes of Ibanez and Grisez out wide whilst linking up with Vernier in midfield. France have the athletes and the skills to take on England but struggle with consistency. If they can fix that, France could definitely find themselves at the summit of European Rugby once again.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Yllana Brosseau, Annaelle Deshaye, Ambre Saadia-Mwayembe

Hooker: Mathilde Lazarko, Elisa Riffonneau

Tighthead Prop: Rose Bernadou, Assia Khalfaoui, 

Lock: Cloe Correa, Madoussou Fall Raclot, Manae Feleu(C), Siobhan Soqeta, Kiara Zago

Back Row: Axelle Berthoumieu, Lea Champon, Khoudedia Cissokho, Charlotte Escudero, Elsa Peyras

Scrum-half: Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Alexandra Chambon

Fly-half: Carla Arbez, Lina Queyroi

Centre: Louen Laramy, Gaby Vernier

Back 3: Pauline Barratt, Emilie Boulard, Morgane Bourgeois, Anais Grando, Joanna Grisez, Marie Ibanez, Lea Murie, Aubane Rousset

Possible Starting XV and Bench

1.Annaelle Deshaye 2.Elisa Riffonneau 3.Rose Bernadou 4.Madoussou Fall Raclot 5.Manae Feleu(C)

6.Charlotte Escudero 7.Lea Champon 8.Khoudedia Cissokho 9.Pauline Bourdon Sansus 10.Carla Arbez

11.Marie Ibanez 12.Gaby Vernier 13.Louen Laramy 14.Joanna Grisez 15.Morgane Bourgeois

Bench

16.Mathilde Lazarko 17.Yllana Brosseau 18.Assia Khalfaoui 19.Cloe Corea

20.Axelle Berthoumieu 21.Alexandra Chambon 22.Lina Queyroi 23.Pauline Barratt

Ireland

Best Ever Finish: 1st (2013)

2025 Result: 3rd

World Ranking: 5th

Head Coach: Scott Bemand

Captain: Sam Monaghan

Star Player: Aoife Wafer

Young Player to Watch: Dannah O'Brien

Fixture:

AWAY vs England 11th April

HOME vs Italy 18th April

AWAY vs France 25th April

HOME vs Wales 9th May

HOME vs Scotland 17th May

Ireland are the at the top of the chasing pack behind England and France. They came close against France in this competition last year and really should've beaten the French in the World Cup quarter-final last autumn. This is a team that has a pack capable of competing with the best in the world and a couple of dangerous backs who give them a very clear X-factor. Ireland will want to solidify their place in 3rd whilst aiming to take a scalp away against France or at Twickenham against England.

Ireland's front row is a real strength. O'Dowd and Perry are both great options at loosehead prop, representing the 3-time PWR defending champions, Gloucester-Hartpury, in their domestic careers. Their Gloucester-Hartpury teammate, Neve Jones, will likely start at hooker with Exeter's Moloney-Macdonald on the bench. In the back 5, Edel McMahon is a big omission through injury but Ireland still possess plenty of strength in that unit. Sam Monaghan will captain the team with Campbell and Tuite providing capable options next to her in the second row. In the back row the 2025 player of the tournament, Aoife Wafer, will start. She will likely be joined by now-healthy Erin King and one of Hogan, Moore or Wall. Ireland have serious depth here which gives them an edge over the bottom half of last year's table. 

In the backs, Dannah O'Brien is developing well and is one of the best tactical kickers in the game. She keeps this Irish team in games with her ability to gain territory and uses her pack well. When teams like New Zealand were able to target her, Ireland's attack completely fell apart so they'll need to stay on the front foot in possession in order to avoid O'Brien's boot to be taken out of play. Her job has been made harder by an injury to Lee-Costigan who provided Ireland's main attacking threat. This tournament will be a big one for the likes of Niamh Gallagher to show that they can step up at this level. Ireland's main centre partnership at the World Cup was Higgins and Dalton with, Breen pushing the pair of them, but McGillivray has become an excellent second receiver for Exeter in PWR and could be a very good option to relieve some of the pressure on O'Brien.

Ireland are the dark horse to pull off a big shock, and have the players to do it, but they aren't too far ahead of Italy and Scotland. At their best, they can finish second. At their worst they could finish 5th. Every game that involves Ireland in this tournament will be fascinating; they are the team to watch over the next few weeks.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Sophie Barrett, Niamh O'Dowd, Ellena Perry

Hooker: Beth Buttiner, Neve Jones, Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald

Tighthead Prop: Eilis Cahill, Linda Djougang, Sadhbh McGrath

Lock: Jemima Adams Verling, Ruth Campbell, Aoibheann McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Fiona Tuite

Back row:  Jane Clohessy, Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Grace Moore, Ailish Quinn, Aoife Wafer, Dorothy Wall

Scrum-half: Aoibheann Reilly, Caltriona Finn, Emily Lane

Fly-half: Stacey Flood, Dannah O'Brien

Centre: Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Eve Higgins, Nancy McGillivray

Back 3: Alana McInerney, Beibhian Parsons, Niamh Gallagher, Robyn O'Connor, Vicky Elmes-Kinlan

Possible Starting XV and bench

1.Niamh O'Dowd 2.Neve Jones 3.Linda Djougang 4.Sam Monaghan 5.Fiona Tuite

6.Aoife Wafer 7.Erin King(C) 8.Brittany Hogan 9.Aoibheann Reilly 10.Dannah O'Brien

11.Niamh Gallagher 12.Eve Higgins 13.Aoife Dalton 14.Beibhinn Parsons 15.Stacey Flood

Bench

16.Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald 17.Ellena Perry 18.Eilies Cahill 19.Ruth Campbell

20.Grace Moore 21.Dorothy Wall 22.Emily Lane 23.Nancy McGillivray

Italy

Best Ever Finish: 2nd (2019,2021)

2025 Result: 4th

World Ranking: 9th

Head Coach: Fabio Roselli

Captain: Elisa Giordano

Star Player: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi

Young Player to Watch: Sara Mannini

Fixtures: 

AWAY vs France 11th April

AWAY vs Ireland 18th April

HOME vs Scotland 25th April

HOME vs England 9th May

AWAY vs Wales 17th May

Italy are the ultimate mid-table team. They realistically won't beat England or France but can definitely beat everyone else. There is enough bulk up front to compete at this level whilst the backs possess enough pace to cause problems for every other team in the competition. Their realistic range in this tournament is 3rd to 6th.

Turani and Vecchini provide a solid bas in the front row whilst Giordano gives them some power in the back row. The pack is the biggest unknown with this Italy team. If it can maintain parity with the Welsh and the Scots, Italy will have a great tournament. However, when it fails to do so, Italy could very easily find themselves in some tricky scenarios. 

Italy's real strength comes with their backs. Stefan and Stevanin are a dangerous half-back duo and have plenty of weapons to deploy as they see fit. D'Inca and Mannini can provide some real threats in midfield whilst Granzotto and Ostuni Minuzzi bring the pace out wide. If Italy can force teams into a high-pace, attacking game built around speed, they have a chance. That's why they can be a tricky opponent for France. However, if England or Ireland turn it into a set-piece heavy battle of the packs, the Italians are in trouble.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Gaia Maris, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Zanette

Hooker: Chiara Cheli, Desiree Spinelli, Vittoria Vecchini

Tighthead Prop: Alessia Pilani, Gaia Dosi

Lock: Francesca Andreoli, Elettra Costantini, Giordana Duca, Valeria Fedrighi, Alessandra Frangipani

Back Row: Elena Errichiello, Elisa Giordano(C), Francesca Sgorbini, Beatrice Veronese

Scrum-half: Alia Bitonci, Gaia Buso, Sofia Stefan

Fly-half: Veronica Madia, Emma Stevanin

Centre: Natascia Aggio, Micol Cavina, Giada Corradini, Alyssa D'Inca, Sara Mannini, Michela Sillari

Back 3: Francesca Granzotto, Rubina Grassi, Aura Muzzo, Gabriella Serio, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi

Possible starting XV and bench

1.Silvia Turani 2.Vittoria Vecchini 3.Gaia Maris 4.Valeria Fedrighi 5.Giordana Duca

6.Francesca Sgorbini 7.Beatrice Veronese 8.Elisa Giordana(C) 9.Sofia Stefan 10.Emma Stevanin

11.Alyssa D'Inca 12.Sara Mannini 13.Michela Sillari 14.Aura Muzzo 15.Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi

Bench

16.Chiara Cheli 17.Vittoria Zanette 18.Alessia Pilani 19.Alessandra Frangipani

20.Alissa Ranuccini 21.Alia Bitonci 22. Veronica Madia 23.Francesca Granzotto

Scotland

Best Ever Finish: 2nd (2003)

2025 Result: 5th

World Ranking: 6th

Head Coach: Sione Fukofuka

Captain: Rachel Malcolm

Star Player: Francesca McGhie

Young Player to Watch: Emma Orr

Fixtures:

AWAY vs Wales 11th April

HOME vs England 18th April

AWAY vs Italy 25th April

HOME vs France 9th May

AWAY vs Ireland 17th May

This Scotland team could be the biggest risers from their 2025 finish. This is a teamm that has plenty of strong forwards whilst also having some very talented runners across their back-line, and some experienced half-backs. This is also their first tournament under the former USA coach, Sione Fukofuka, so it will be interesting to see how this side develops its identity. The World Cup took place as the SRU was undergoing a transformation with its women's programme and it wasn't a smooth process. Former captain Jade Konkel is one example of a player that walked away from the team due to those circumstances. Despite this, Scotland have a strong side and will be looking upwards.

Bartlett and Young are solid looseheads whilst Lana Skeldon and Elis Martin are experienced options at hooker. There are some question marks surrounding tighthead prop with Bristol's Elliann Clarke only backed up by 21-year-old Molly Poolman who has just 7 caps to her name. The second row is an exciting unit with several players who could all start. Louise McMillan has surpassed 50 caps for her country whilst Wassell has eclipsed 70. Becky Boyd of Loughborough Lightning is the exciting young player whilst the internationally inexperienced Hollie Cunningham is another good option. They could definitely opt to play with 3 locks in order to solidify the line-out. The back row, even without Konkel, has plenty of depth. McLachlan and Malcolm are stalwarts of this team whilst Donaldson and Gallagher are other great options. This pack should put Scotland clear of Italy and Wales, but it might not be enough to compete against England and France.

Leia Brebner-Holden and Helen Nelson are the experienced half-backs that run this team and they have some great talent to manage around them. In midfield, Thomson and Orr are the incumbent duo but Meryl Smith, who plays for Bristol, and Evie Wills, who plays for Sale, are good options to step in at inside centre. Smith is a good playmaker whilst Wills could bring more strength. It's really a matter of preference for Fukofuka. In the back 3, McGhie is the big threat on the left wing whilst Rollie and Lloyed have often joined her in that unit. Shona Campbell and Coreen Grant could both disrupt that group, but this is an area of strength for the Scots.

They should be aiming for 3rd, but Scotland will just want to see progression from some of their young stars. 

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Leah Bartlett, Poppy Fletcher*, Anne Young

Hooker: Elis Martin, Aila Ronald, Lana Skeldon, Aicha Sutcliffe*

Tighthead Prop: Elliann Clarke, Molly Poolman, Imogen Spence*

Lock: Becky Boyd, Hollie Cunningham, Louise McMillan, Emma Wassell

Back Row: Holland Bogan, Emily Coughbrough*, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Rachel Malcolm(C), Rachel McLachlan

Scrum-half: Leia Brebner-Holden, Rhea Clarke, Rianna Darrah

Fly-half: Ceitidh Ainsworth*, Helen Nelson, Hannah Ramsey

Centre: Emma Orr, Rachel Philipps, Meryl Smith, Evie Wills 

Back 3: Shona Campbell, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Francesca McGhie, Chloe Rollie, Lucia Scott, Hannah Walker

Possible XV and Bench

1.Leah Bartlett 2.Lana Skeldon 3.Elliann Clarke 4.Becky Boyd 5.Louisa McMillan

6.Evie Gallagher 7.Rachel Malcolm(C) 8.Rachel McLachlan 9.Leia Brebner-Holden 10.Helen Nelson

11.Francsca McGhie 12.Meryl Smith 13.Emma Orr 14.Rhona Lloyd 15.Chloe Rollie

Bench

16.Eilis Martin 17.Anne Young 18.Molly Poolman 19.Emma Wassell

20.Eva Donaldson 21.Rhea Clarke 22.Evie Wills 23.Shona Campbell

Wales

Best Ever Finish: 2nd (2006,2008,2009)

2025 Result: 6th

World Ranking: 12th

Head Coach: Sean Lynn

Captain: Kate Williams

Star Player: Jasmine Joyce

Young Player to Watch: Savannah Picton-Powell

Fixtures: 

HOME vs Scotland 11th April

HOME vs France 18th April

AWAY vs England 25th April

AWAY vs Ireland 9th May

HOME vs Italy 17th May

This has been a tricky period for Wales, but there is room for positivity for Sean Lynn and his team. They have a fairly strong pack, and some big threats out wide, but will it be enough to get them off the foot of the table?

Prop is an area of strength with a nice mix of experience and some impressive youngsters. Pyrs and Davies are a good loosehead duo whilst Rose and Tuipulotu are big talents at opposite ends of their rugby careers. Jones and Phillips are strong hookers who give this team a solid set-piece.  In the back 5, the loss of Callendar is painful but Williams, Evans and Pyrs can make up for it. This pack isn't as strong as those deployed by the Irish and the Scots, but there is enough ability to pose a signifcant challenge.

Keira Bevan is a key player at scrum-half with two young understudies (Jones and Lockwood) developing behind her. George and Powell are both good fly-half options but George is the favourite to get the nod from Lynn. In midfield, Dallavalle has become an important player for Gloucester-Hartpury but Keight and Picton-Powell will also challenge for starting gigs. In the back 3, Neumann and Joyce are X-factors who give this team an edge that others don't possess.

Wales did finish last in 2025, but this team isn't far away from being legitimately competitive going forward.

SQUAD

Loosehead Prop: Katherine Braverstock, Maisie Davies, Gwenllian Pyrs, Stella Orrin

Hooker: Kelsey Jones, Carys Phillips, Molly Reardon, Kendall Waudby

Tighthead: Elan Jones, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Sisilia Tuipulotu

Lock: Gwen Crabb, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Tilly Vucaj

Back Row: Jorja Aiono, Georgia Evans, Alisha Joyce, Bethan Lewis, Branwen Metcalfe, Kate Williams(C)

Scrum-half: Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Seren Lockwood

Fly-half: Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell

Centre: Hannah Dallavalle, Courtney Keight, Savannah Picton-Powell, Kelsie Webster

Back Three: Carys Cox, Jasmine Joyce, Lisa Neumann, Nikita Prothero, Seren Singleton, Jenna de Vera

Potential XV and bench

1.Gwenllian Pyrs 2.Kelsey Jones 3.Donna Rose 4.Gwen Crabb 5.Alaw Pyrs

6.Kate Williams(C) 7.Bethan Lewis 8.Bryonie King 9.Keira Bevan 10.Lleucu George

11.Carys Cox 12.Courtney Keight 13.Hannah Dallavalle 14.Jasmine Joyce 15.Lisa Neumann

Bench

16.Molly Reardon 17.Maisie Davies 18.Sisilia Tuipulotu 19.Tilly Vucaj 

20.Georgia Evans 21.Seren Lockwood 22.Kayleigh Powell 23.Savannah Picton-Powell