Women’s Six Nations, which began perhaps the biggest year in women’s rugby history, took place this weekend with two fascinating games on Saturday, followed by a familiar England defeat on Sunday.
This is everything that happened in the much-anticipated opening round.
Top Story: So far, very good for red roses
This is a crucial year for England. England will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this summer, with all games up until then coming to potential banana skins on John Mitchell’s side.
Under that outfit, Sunday’s 38-5 victory over Italy fell as a clear success, setting the tone of the latest title defense.
There are improvements that Mitchell and his staff can point out. For example, most of these 38 points were scored in the incredibly one-sided first half before they reached close to momentum in the second term.
Mitchell finally warned that he should not take his place for granted at the World Cup. He warned that everyone must prove themselves this year to win the tournament’s starting spot. – Conor O’Haloran
Round 1 Score
Ireland 15-27 France
France has been the second-best perennial aspect of the competition in recent years, having been five consecutive runner-ups in this competition. The task of head coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz is to knock England out of the perch.
France did the tough work of Ireland. Ireland scored Gabriel Bernier’s 20-minute red card advantage in the second half with high tackles, scoring two tries and closing the gap within two points in under 15 minutes.
However, France appeared to have ordered in the final quarter, and did enough to get a 27-15 victory.
Scotland 24-21 Wales
Scotland started the tournament positively, but they did so in a nail bite way against Wales.
Wales took the lead within five minutes and Scotland had to work twice as hard to unwind them after seeing two tries removed by TMO. The host team later re-acted, showing two red cards. One is Georgia Evans from Wales, the second yellow, and the other is the second yellow after Evie Gallagher from Scotland for a dangerous clear-out.
But Scotland has managed to make Wales better. Sarabonner, Emmaor and Lea Bartlett scored the tries that helped the hosts get a tough battle victory.
England 38-5 Italy
England rose to the top of the Women’s Six Nations table with a compelling victory over Italy at the LNER Community Stadium in York.
Coach John Mitchell gave valuable playing time to some of the less experienced players, including looking back at Claudia MacDonald Meer Benner and Emma Singh.
It worked well from the beginning. Benner opened up the score three minutes later as England advanced relatively easily and Emily Scarat was added three minutes later. The UK continued to score three more tries, including a penalty try after Italy illegally disrupted the Rolling Mall.
Best moment:
Sarah Bern shakes the house
English prop Sarah Bern performed incredible on the pitch. She did that well too.
That connection with the fans
Sarah Bern shared a great moment with English fans after her victory! pic.twitter.com/7jk4chuzlt
– BBC Sports (@bbcsport) March 23, 2025
Morgan Bourgeois’ fun run
France’s excellent performance in the final stages was embodied by a run of plunder from Morgan Bourgeois and finished with the replacement of Emily Boulard.
“It will break the hearts of the Irish people!”
The 14 French players seem to have stopped hoping Ireland to make a comeback.#bbcrugby #sixnsrugby #irlfra pic.twitter.com/eh45verpnp
– BBC Sports (@bbcsport) March 22, 2025
An attempt from anywhere
Scotland took a narrow lead towards the second half of Wales when Lisa Thompson kicked the ground ball on the field. The next one came was unexpected, and Scotland gave a narrow victory.
Emma Orr is the quickest to respond, Scotland should give it another try! 💪#bbcrugby #sixnations pic.twitter.com/a3n6zrofix
– BBC Sports (@bbcsport) March 22, 2025
Next in round 2:
France vs Scotland
when: Saturday, 1pm GMT
where: Stadium Marcel defldre, Rochelle
Wales vs UK
time: Saturday, 4:45pm GMT
where: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Italy vs Ireland
time: Sunday, 3pm BST
where: Sergioran Franci Stadium, Palma
– News: Despite a big win, Red Rose coach warns the team
– Five athletes seen in six women’s countries
– Women’s Six Nations Full Fixture List
– Men’s Six Nations Grade: England gets. Ireland needs a transition