A team-by-team guide to the 2024 Women’s Six Nations, including predictions

The Women’s Six Nations will take place from March 23 to April 27, with three back-to-back matches taking place on ‘Super Saturday’.

England are aiming for a sixth title in a row and a place at next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup. The best team outside of England and France, who have already qualified, will reserve a place in the competition.

This is Sports telegraphguide for all the six teams that will take part in the championship.

England

Captain: Marlie Packer

Trainer: John Mitchell

2023 Finish: 1st (Grand Slam Champions)

Prediction: 1st (Grand Slam)

The Women’s Six Nations needs a new champion but for those looking to add to the appeal of these commercial championships, that is easier said than done. The Red Roses player pool runs deeper than Mary Poppins’ handbag and with one eye on next year’s home World Cup, time is precious. As the best-supported nation on the women’s Test scene, anything less than a Grand Slam would be a failure.

Squad news

New head coach John Mitchell has welcomed familiar faces back into the mix, including Emily Scarratt, who was once a doubt for an international return. The former World Player of the Year has not featured for England since the 2022 World Cup final after a career-threatening neck injury sidelined her for 14 months.

Abbie Ward is also in the running for her first Test appearance since becoming a mother last summer, while flyweight Zoe Harrison returns after being ruled out of last year’s championship with injury anterior cruciate ligament.

Player to watch

One of the Red Roses’ most valuable weapons, Alex Matthews is one of four surviving members of England’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad – along with Scarratt, Natasha Hunt and captain Marlie Packer. She is a regular in the box, and she stepped down from the No 8 role that Sarah Hunter retired last year. A thunderous ball carrier, it’s her hard work around the field that always sets her apart.

The story continues

France

Captain: Manae Feleu

Coaches: Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz

2023 finish: 2i

Prediction: 3rd

The annual question is: can France beat England? The cross-channel rivals meet on the final day and bring the curtain down on the competition when they take on Bordeaux’s Stade Chaban-Delmas, where Les Bleues The aim will be to get one over England for the first time in 13 attempts. You have to go back to the 2018 iteration of this competition to find out when they last beat England and they’ve only had a handful since the Red Roses.

Squad news

With a new captain, Manaé Feleu, Les Bleues are still a force to be reckoned with. Feleu, who was born in the South Pacific Islands of Wallis and Futuna before moving to New Zealand, led France to a historic 18-17 victory over world champions New Zealand at the inaugural WXV tournament this autumn spent The second row has a sister, Teani, who is also in the French squad.

At 24, Feleu is the youngest captain in the Women’s Six Nations but is surrounded by experienced personnel such as Agathe Sochat, Gaëlle Hermet, Romane Ménager and scrum-half Pauline Bourdon-Sansus. “I don’t think there’s much chasing. He is focusing more on us,” Feleu said as he closed the gap on England.

Player to watch

Elisa Riffonneau is a hooker who has impressed at Ealing Trailfinders, the club she joined from the French women’s premier division last year. Riffonneau has under-20 honours, starred at WXV and was part of France’s wider training squad for the 2022 World Cup. Her performances in Women’s Rugby Premiership have made the selectors sit up and take notice.

Co-captains: Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan

Trainer: Scott Bemand

End 2023: 6pm

Forecast: 6 p.m

Ireland finished last year’s tournament without a single point, amid allegations of sexism swirling around the IRFU. When the WXV3 won last autumn under head coach Scott Bemand, a reset was possible, even if it meant playing the likes of Colombia and Kazakhstan, but the challenges are much tougher – including an off day at Twickenham against the Red Roses – ahead.

Squad news

Bemand, who took control of the Irish wooden spoon last year, called on star sevens Beivhinn Parsons, Eve Higgins and Aoibheann Reilly, who were part of Ireland’s historic HSBC SVNS title in Perth last month.

There is still no place for hurler Cliodhna Moloney, who has not been selected for the national side since 2021 after she criticized former women’s rugby director Anthony Eddy and accused her of “spreading mud” when Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup. . Bemand has been in contact with the Exeter Chiefs player and said there is an “ongoing conversation” about his return.

Player to watch

Another Ealing Trailfinders recruit is Shannon Ikahihifo, who is having a great season in England’s top flight. The New Zealand-born second rower, whose grandmother was born in Kilkenny, is one of eight uncapped players in the Ireland squad and has been tearing up trees with her performances in the PWR.

Captain: Elisa Giordano

Trainer: Giovanni Raineri

End 2023: 5pm

Forecast: 4 p.m

In recent years Italy have struggled to get anywhere near their lofty second place finish in 2019. This is a side still finding its feet under Giovanni Raineri, who took over the head coach Andrea Di Giandomenico after the 2022 World Cup. With 24 players on centralized contracts, they sit behind England, France and Wales in the pecking order of professionalism but can surprise on their day.

Squad news

Elisa Giordano, the 65-times capped full-back, will captain a squad full of youth and experience. Prop Lucia Gai, with 95 caps, could reach 100 Test appearances in the competition, and the Azure They will be looking to draw on the talents of Sara Seye (Ealing Trailfinders), Silvia Turani (Harlequins) and star center Beatrice Rigoni (Sale Sharks), who have all impressed in England’s women’s top flight.

Player to watch

One of the six players plying their trade at Villorba near Treviso, 21-year-old Alessandra Frangipani is a highly attractive ball carrier. Keep an eye on Sara Mannini, an 18-year-old utility back who is in Italy’s wider training squad and could be in line for her first Test cap while still at school.

Scotland

Captain: Rachel Malcolm

Trainer: Bryan Easson

End 2023: 4 p.m

Forecast: 5 p.m

Scotland has a habit of losing bonus points for fun. They will be beaten by their WXV2 win last year, but the Six Nations will be a much more realistic indicator of where this group is at. This is also only the second year the squad has had a core group of players on professional contracts.

Squad news

Head coach Bryan Easson has named seven uncapped players in his squad, including Bristol Bears back Megan Varley, who has been in rich form for the PWR. With the experienced Lana Skeldon, Evie Gallagher and Rachel Malcolm, Scotland’s pack is capable of doing serious damage when unleashed, while winger Francesca McGhie represents a new wave of talent determined to put women’s rugby on the line. map in Scotland.

“We’ll probably have bigger crowds for both of our home games,” Malcolm said. “That’s what we’ve been pushing for a long time, to encourage more people in Scotland to support the women’s side and to encourage more people to get involved. That bit of excitement added another layer this year.”

Player to watch

Emma Orr has enjoyed a few years, having established herself as an outdoor center of excellence. The 20-year-old Edinburgh forward made her Scotland debut aged 18 and has already been tipped to be part of the inaugural British and Irish Lions women’s tour to New Zealand in 2027.

Wales

Captain: Hannah Jones

Trainer: Ioan Cunningham

Finish 2023: 3rd

Forecast: 2 p.m

What a chance this side has to restore the feel good factor in Welsh rugby. Ioan Cunningham’s side are not lacking in individual talent but they failed to defeat them as a team against France and England. Their three tough tests at WXV last year – where they lost to Canada, Australia and New Zealand – will be a huge learning curve and if they can bring their kicking game with them, they could beat France in Cardiff.

Squad news

The challenge will be to fit in among the 13 players from Wales who are plying their trade with Women’s Rugby Premier League champions, Gloucester-Hartpury. Fullback Jenny Hesketh, a former England under-20 captain, is one of six uncapped players in a squad that has seen big names such as Elinor Snowsill and Sioned Harries retire. Gloucester-Hartpury in-form half-back Lleucu George will be responsible for leading the kicking strategy for Wales.

Player to watch

A key player for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge, Cardiff-born Gwennan Hopkins is highly tipped to succeed Sioned Harries, former No. 8 Wales who retired earlier this month. The Hartpury College student is a strong ball carrier and could provide Wales with the extra oomph in the physical battle.