Women's Six Nations 2024

[Darc Tiger]

The Women's Six Nations is back to keep the international rugby flowing! Can anyone stop the Red Roses machine? WXV placements are again up for grabs, as well as the added carrot of World Cup 2025 qualification.

Top 3 ---> WXV1 in Canada
4-5th ---> WXV2 in South Africa
6th ---> Playoff (likely against Spain) with the loser slipping into WXV3 in Dubai

England and France are already qualified for the World Cup, as semi-finalists in the last tournament, therefore the next best finisher to those two here will confirm qualification. Though with the tournament expanding to 16 teams its highly unlikely any 6N team will miss out. WXV will decide the remaining spots, and WXV2 basically ensures qualification, so its just the wooden spoon holders who will have a little bit of work to do.



Tiger Watch
England: Amy Cokayne, Meg Jones
Scotland: Leah Bartlett, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Elis Martin, Fran McGhie
Wales: Amelia Tutt

[Darc Tiger]

England again go in as clear favourites, though they will have to make the tricky trip to Bordeaux this year. Their injury concerns have eased compared to last year, with just Sarah Bern and Claudia MacDonald the notable absentees. John Mitchell's first tournament at the helm will be bolstered by the likes of Scarratt, Harrison and Ward returning to a squad dripping with talent. Most intriguing will be how Mitchell is evolving the Red Roses' gameplan. Another big game at Twickenham (this time against Ireland) to look forward too. Louis Deacon remains on staff.

France remain the only realistic challenge to England's crown, though mixing up their squad in 2023 led to mixed results. Pushing England right to the whistle at Twickenham, and toppling New Zealand in Wellington, before falling to shock defeats to Canada and Australia. On paper they should be too much for the chasing pack, but could perhaps be vulnerable to a big performance, particularly away from home.

Wales were best of the rest last year, and are starting to see the fruits of professionalism, but disappointed in a winless WXV campaign. For a team boasting a large West Country PWR contingent, they should now be closing the gap to England and France. Anything lower than 3rd will be a setback. Huge match at home to Scotland to kick things off.

Scotland finally managed to break a losing habit last year, and then ended 2023 with a confidence boosting winning streak and the WXV2 trophy. Their squad is starting to grow quite nicely into professionalism, and whilst they may need a bit more physicality to make the next step up, they have lots of attacking talent. However, their fixtures do look rough, with their two home games against England and France.

Italy were another to have a mixed 2023, particularly after showing promise in their World Cup campaign. Some key injuries didn't help, with arguably the shallowest depth in the tournament. They'll be hoping to avoid another total mauling from England on the opening day, and then look to attack the rest of the campaign, having also built confidence in WXV2. Scotland just pipped them to the trophy by a points difference of 2! A bit of wild card.

Ireland ended last year's tournament with 0 points, and Scott Bemand certainly has a big job on his hands to get the team back on a level with the rest of the tournament. There's question marks over whether steamrolling weaker teams in WXV3 was confidence boosting, or just weak preparation for the 2024 campaign. Some of their 7s stars have been made at least partially available, which will give them some more teeth. Will either turn a corner, or face back-to-back wooden spoons.

[Darc Tiger]

Huge result on day one!

Scotland battle to a first win in Wales for 20 years, with Wales missing a late conversion at 18-20. Would have been cruel to finish with a draw, as I think Scotland were the better side on the day. Dealt with the Welsh power game better than last year, and more threatening in the backs. They'll be aiming for that WXV1 spot now. Leah Bartlett held up well against Welsh star Tuipulotu. Elis Martin had a solid last quarter off the bench, and may get a start next week with Skeldon going off injured.

Wales underwhelming, again. Plenty of huff and puff, but offer little outside the tight. Really don't think the coaches get the best out of what they've got. They've not progressed from last year's tournament.

France were pretty comfortable against Ireland, winning 38-17. But Ireland will be pretty happy with the way they battled, and its a marked improvement under Scott Bemand, compared to last year. Need a way to get the best out of their 7s players.

We'll see how England get on, but don't think they'll be too worried about France just yet. Meg Jones wears 23 tomorrow in Parma.

[Lutontiger]

Thanks for all the info, Darc Tiger

[drc_007]

Despite an early red card and a yellow later in the game the Red Roses thumped Italy 0-48.

[Darc Tiger]

England looked very rusty, and Italy scrapped well in the 1st half, but the superior fitness and physicality told in the 2nd. Plenty to analyse this week. Fair few of the team have been out of the picture for a while. Will be interesting to see what Mitch thinks his gun team is.

[thunderbirds]

I was really annoyed that the Bath v Sale game was on at the same time as the England game. This wouldn't happen to the men and shouldn't to the women. I'm probably in a minority of 1 though!

[No6_Flanker]

I was really annoyed that the Bath v Sale game was on at the same time as the England game. This wouldn't happen to the men and shouldn't to the women. I'm probably in a minority of 1 though!

I agree! Ridiculous scheduling.

[Darc Tiger]

Scotland vs France:
Four Tigers in the Scotland squad this week. Leah Bartlett starts again, while Elis Martin called to step up from understudy for her first International start. A great reward for a lot of hard work domestically this season. Another injury in the 2nd row allows Eva Donaldson to keep her spot on the bench, and she's joined by Lisa Cockburn.

Really interesting match-up. France blew Scotland away last year, but now this is a Scotland team with more belief than ever before, and some real teeth. A strong crowd is expected in Edinburgh, and if they can manage the French pack, this could be a close one.

England vs Wales:
Meg Jones gets promoted into the 13 shirt this week, as England rotate to largely the team that took the WXV1 title. Wales also rotate, but there's a couple of injury worries too, as Jazz Joyce and Kelsey Jones have pulled out. Wales at their best have the pack to cause issues, but they haven't been able to keep the scoreboard running away from them against the top sides, and they've also not been able to get the most out of their backline. If England click into gear quicker than last week, it could be another hard day out for Wales.

Ireland vs Italy:
No Tigers interest here, unless you count Scott Bemand. Potentially the match of the round, and a hard one to call. Ireland were well off the pace last year, but showed good signs of turning things around under this new regime last week. Pre-tournament, I would have had Italy as favourites, but now I'm not so sure. Ireland are also bolstered by the return of captain Sam Monaghan. Italy ultimately ran out of puff in the 2nd half against England, and didn't trouble the scoreboard, but in a more even match-up, we might see their better side. They will however miss the experienced Michela Sillari in the midfield.

[Darc Tiger]

Elis Martin scores from the maul, with Scotland putting in a great shift to lead 5-3 at the break!

[Darc Tiger]

Really hard fought 2nd half, and Scotland battled for everything, but couldn't get enough territory and a late France try just kept them at arms length. 5-15

They deserved a point, but that's a 45 point swing from last year, so big progress.

[No6_Flanker]

Meg Jones looking sharp for the Red Roses!

[Ellie]

Meg Jones looking sharp for the Red Roses!

She’s on fire, really enjoying the Women’s Six Nations - some really good rugby being played, the men should take note!

[Lutontiger]

Great to see the good ball-handling skills - let’s hope Tigers’ men are watching and learning!

[CJ]

Really enjoying this. Note the really quick ball from the scrum half. England are very impressive and I’m already looking to get tickets for the World Cup next year.