Women's Six Nations 2024

[Darc Tiger]

Fallow week out of the way, we're back in the thick of it this weekend.

Scotland vs England:
Five Tigers on show in Edinburgh! Leah Bartlett starts again, with Elis Martin dropping back to a bench that also has the returning Fran McGhie. Meg Jones retains the England 13 shirt, and there's a long-awaited return for Amy Cokayne at hooker in a mostly unchanged team. Captain Marlie Packer makes way for Aldcroft and Ward. England will be feeling much better about their R2 performance and looking to keep that momentum, but Scotland will be buoyed by a sellout crowd and looking to stay in the fight like they did against France. Though England present another step up. If Scotland can stick with England physically, they have the weapons to fire some shots.

Ireland vs Wales:
Probably the tie of the round, as both sides look to break their duck. Wales should be favourites, but if Ireland can stand up to their pack, it should be a tight one. Neither side have managed to get the most out of their backs, but if it starts to click, there could be fireworks. Notably for Ireland is the return of hooker Cliodhna Moloney, who has been frozen out of selection for more than 2 years after she was outspoken in her criticism of the IRFU.

France vs Italy:
France have rather spluttered their way through the first two rounds. Not quite managing to combine their natural power game with the expansive attack they seemingly want to display. Italy managed to shake off being completely overwhelmed by England with a first ever win away in Ireland, which will be a good boost of confidence, but I think they'll likely struggle up front again. That said, if France get frustrated as they did against Scotland, Italy are capable of an upset.

[Darc Tiger]

Three big scores last weekend. Two of them pretty much to script, and one very much not!

England proved far to strong in the Edinburgh wind, and Scotland just couldn't deal with the conditions in the way that England could. Amy Cokayne had a rather mixed return, playing pretty excellently and scoring a great try, but also picked up two (fair call) yellow cards. Meg Jones also further took a grip on the 13 shirt, particularly with her delightful try assist with the boot. Bit of a tough day for our Scots, but good to see Fran McGhie back out there. Also Eva Donaldson was a late addition to the bench, and I thought she stood out in the last 30. 0-46

France were cruising against a rather flat Italy for the first hour or so, but then Italy rather came to life in the final quarter, and played some lovely stuff. Two tries for the impressive Alyssa D'Inca, the second of which you should definitely seek out, a 60 run and swerve down the touchline. Not sure what to make of the French. They can look absolutely brilliant, but have either struggled to put teams away like England do, or they're plagued by errors. 38-15

The big shock of the weekend was Ireland blowing Wales off the park! Breaking a run of 7 straight 6N defeats. A real statement performance for Scott Bemand's reign, as the continuity and accuracy really went up a level. 21 year old flanker Aoife Wafer is the breakout star of the tournament, and 20 year old flyhalf Dannah O'Brien growing in confidence to match her obvious talent. However, its quickly becoming a bit of a nightmare tournament for Wales, after comfortably taking 3rd place last year. They really haven't progressed, whilst the teams around them seem to be taking strides. Questions are being raised of the setup and the coaching. 36-5

[Darc Tiger]

England vs Ireland:
Over 45000 expected at Twickenham to kick off the weekend in style. Meg Jones continues at 13, an occasion she can really thrive on, as England mostly stick with continuity. Cokayne serves a one match ban for her two yellows against Scotland. Ireland face the ultimate reality check after their surprise demolition of Wales, and will miss co-captain Sam Monaghan, but have players to do some damage if they can replicate a similar level. Thankfully the weather looks like its turning the corner in time for the big show.

Italy vs Scotland:
Really excited for this one. Could well be the match of the tournament. Two evenly matched sides, who love to attack, and have the players to entertain. Eva Donaldson is rewarded for her efforts off the bench last week with a first Scotland start, and is joined by Fran McGhie making her first international start of the year. Leah Bartlett and Elis Martin are on the bench. Italy are boosted by their returning captain Elisa Giodano, though injuries in the centre sees star winger Alyssa D'Inca fill in at 13. Very hard to call this one, but it'll be well worth tuning in after the Tigers game. I'm gonna back our Scottish Tigers to get the job done.

Wales vs France:
Both sides make interesting changes in their backlines. Wales switching things up, looking to ignite a moribund attack. France on the other hand reinforce their backline with 7s stars, partly due to injury concerns. Wales will be desperate to find some form ahead of a big day out at the Principality in the final weekend, but could be torn apart if they produce a similar level to last week. France will be hoping to throw down the gauntlet ahead of welcoming England to Bordeaux, though the changes could further interrupt their rhythm.

[Darc Tiger]

Its Super Saturday! Easily the most interesting line-up of clashes for the final weekend. Everyone has something to play for, and all should be pretty well matched. Three record crowds are also expected!

If you're at the Tigers tomorrow, be sure to head to the Final Whistle to watch the England game, which should start as Tigers are finishing.

Quick round-up of Round 4...

Very ugly scoreline at Twickenham. England were in terrifying form against Ireland. Arguably the most free-flowing and clinical I've ever seen from them. Absolutely devastating. I think Ireland were simply shellshocked by quite how good they were. It was always going to be a massive ask, but Ireland being off it and England finding an extra gear gave a clear illustration as how much of a march England have on the chasing pack. Meg Jones is really blossoming in that 13 shirt, the way she has been for Leicester all season. A player absolutely made to play in front of 50000 people.

Scotland/Italy didn't catch fire in the way that I hoped it would, but it did turn into a real arm wrestle. Scotland not converting early pressure into points, but eventually seizing control in the last quarter and securing a first win away in Italy. More history being written for this side, a new ranking high of 6th, and a great experience for our Scottish Tigers. Especially Eva Donaldson on her first start.

Wales' disappointing campaign continued with another toothless effort against France. Its not total gloom, as they are doing some good things, particularly in the forwards. They had the lions share of territory and possession, but come away with nothing but a hiding. Summed up by camping on the French line, only to gift a 95m interception. Still not sure France are close to England's level, but they didn't have to work too hard.

[Darc Tiger]

My thoughts on Round 5...

Wales vs Italy: Wales head for a first standalone test at the Principality looking to end a very deflating tournament on a high, though avoiding the wooden spoon will take a bonus point win, and a big swing in points difference over Italy or Ireland. More tweaks to their misfiring backline, though our own Amelia Tutt continues to miss out (maybe for the best?). Italy would be pretty happy with their tournament if they can add a Cardiff scalp to their Dublin triumph, and give them a shot at 3rd spot. They are pretty settled, but surprisingly have decided to bench their regular flyhalf. If they can match Wales' pack, I think they have the weapons to do it. But I'd say its mostly on Wales' bat, if they can overcome their seeming mental block in attack.

Ireland vs Scotland: Ireland will have the advantage of knowing before kickoff how much they need to win by to get 3rd, whereas Scotland's job will be simply to win. I think Ireland will try to just forget what happened at Twickenham, and see if they can capture the lightning in a bottle that saw them blow Wales away. Co-captain Sam Monaghan being back will help. Scotland will be favourites, and do look the most complete of the chasing pack this year. Wins in Cardiff, Parma and Belfast would be a great sign of progress. This could become a nailbiter, but Scotland are getting used to winning games now, and I hope they'll be able to put it all together on Saturday. Another record crowd expected.

A late injury call for Lana Skeldon sees a rejig for the Scotland line-up, and all five Tigers in the Scotland squad are now set to play on Saturday. Bartlett, Martin and McGhie start, with Cockburn and Donaldson on the bench. Unfortunately this one clashes with the Bristol game. I'll watch it on catch-up.

France vs England: Last up, of course, is 'La Crunch'! The one we've all been waiting for. Can France put it all together and finally take down their nemesis? England will be getting used to playing in front of big crowds, but a packed Stade Chaban-Delmas will provide a unique challenge. England arrive in a bullish mood, and its easy to see why, as they've got stronger and more confident every game. Finally marrying an all-court attack to their monster pack. France at their best are probably the only team that can match them in both areas, but they haven't hit those heights with any regularity this tournament. They can't be as loose as they have been, and gift England chances. But if France get rolling, and England are put under serious pressure for the first time since the World Cup final, all bets are off. Looks like it could be a wet one, so that could be a leveler.

Amy Cokayne is back to start following her double yellow card, and Meg Jones stays at 13 as England retain the same backline again. Do tune in, or get yourself to the Final Whistle after the Tigers game. Potentially one of the games of the year.

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Well done England!

[tigerburnie]

Well played England, impressive.

[Darc Tiger]

France gave them a real test, but not consistent or clinical enough to halt the Red Roses machine.

England weren't as free flowing as they have been all tournament, but they showed they haven't lost the ability to win through hard graft either. They can play any kind of game, and they're going to be incredibly hard to stop.