Women’s Six Nations 2026: team-by-team guide to the tournament

England

Coach John Mitchell Captain Meg Jones Last year’s finish Grand slam champions

England are on a high after winning the World Cup and will take to the pitch against Ireland on Saturday for the first time since they were crowned world champions in September. There have been some changes to the squad, including the retirements of Abby Dow and Emily Scarratt as well as Tatyana Heard’s foot injury and the pregnancies of Zoe Stratford (formerly Aldcroft, the captain), Abbie Ward and Lark Atkin-Davies. Scarratt is now England’s attack and backs coach and seven of the 38-player squad are uncapped. Though they are depleted, England are firm favourites and while many may think the Red Roses do not have anything else to conquer, their new captain, Meg Jones, has outlined their target for this tournament. “We could be the first men or women’s team to win a Six Nations after a World Cup win so that is definitely a challenge we are very aware of,” she said.

Key player Jones is among the most influential in the squad, but Alex Matthews, the Gloucester-Hartpury back-rower, is now a vice-captain and has been a part of two World Cup winning campaigns.

Prediction Every fan will predict England will win all of their matches and take home the trophy for the eighth year in a row, even if through gritted teeth. The Red Roses look like an unstoppable machine and are on a winning run of 33 games. Grand slam again

Alex Matthews has been part of two successful World Cup campaigns, in 2014 and 2025. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

France

Coach François Ratier Captain Manaé Feleu Last year’s finish 2nd

The fear of being second best hangs over France every year because they cannot find a way to overcome England. But what might be worrying them this year is that other teams are catching up and so they could finish lower than second. They used to be a shoo-in for a grand slam decider with the Red Roses, but Ireland will be another big challenge. France’s improvement seems to have stalled over the past few years. While impressive at times – losing by a point at Twickenham last year, for example – they have not made strides. However, François Ratier took over as head coach in January and so the team is also a little bit of an unknown. Ratier said: “Our objective is to continue expanding the squad’s depth, fostering healthy and demanding competition at all positions.”

Key player Pauline Bourdon Sansus brings France’s performances to the next level; unbelievably fast, a calm leader and great at game management. A real menace at No 9.

Prediction France will squeak past Ireland but England will again have their measure come the final round. 2nd

France’s Pauline Bourdon Sansus offers a multitude of threats from scrum-half. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Ireland

Coach Scott Bemand Captain Erin King Last year’s finish 3rd

Ireland have progressed hugely over the past few years, pushing the Red Roses for the first half-hour of their 2025 Six Nations fixture, and finishing third. At the World Cup they were impressive and unfortunate not to make the semi-finals after a controversial game against France in the last eight when they let slip a 13-0 lead to lose 18-13. Ireland are welcoming back a few faces. Erin King returns after injury and has been appointed captain with fellow back-rowers Dorothy Wall and Aoife Wafer available once again. However, the wing Amee-Leigh Costigan is pregnant with twins and misses the tournament, while the former co-captain Edel McMahon is injured. Ireland will test England, though the task is a little more difficult as they play them in the opening game in front of what will be a record Women’s Six Nations crowd.

Key player King is now the captain but even before having such a pivotal leadership role she was one of Ireland’s best players. Her anterior cruciate ligament injury was cruelly timed and meant she missed out on the World Cup, but she will be keen to hit the ground running.

Pr****ediction Ireland have gone from strength to strength over the past few years and they are the main challengers to France and England. Power is still an issue, but they will continue to improve. 3rd

Erin King (centre) returns from an ACL injury to captain her side. Photograph: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile/Getty Images

Italy

Coach Fabio Roselli Captain Elisa Giordano Last year’s finish 4th

Fabio Roselli has had a bumpy start to his tenure as Italy’s coach. He was appointed in 2025 and his first tournament was the Six Nations, when his side beat Scotland and Wales and pushed France close. That 34-21 defeat gave fans hopes for how far they could go in the Rugby World Cup, but it was a disappointing tournament for them. They were knocked out in the pool stage after managing to beat only debutants Brazil. They lost to France, and South Africa caused a huge upset to beat the Azzurri and reach the quarters for the first time. Roselli has balanced his squad with experience and new talent with nine uncapped players. The head coach has also put an emphasis on starting quickly and implementing their own style.

Key player Michela Sillari is on track to become the fourth Italian woman to reach 100 caps. She is on 94 and has been a stalwart for the team since winning her first cap in 2012.

Pr****ediction Should improve again, but unlikely to replicate last year’s finish. 5th.

Michela Sillari has scored 14 tries and 70 conversions in her international career. Photograph: Molly Darlington/World Rugby/Getty Images

Scotland

Coach Sione Fukofuka. Captain Rachel Malcolm. Last year’s finish 5th

Scotland are starting a new era this Six Nations with their head coach, Sione Fukofuka. While the staff have been getting to know their players and setting out their goals, they have been hit with bad news. Evie Gallagher, the No 8, has been ruled out of the tournament with injury. Four other players from the World Cup – Lisa Cockburn, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock and Jade Konkel – have retired after the team reached the quarter-finals. Konkel was a central figure and the captain, Rachel Malcolm, says her presence in camp has been missed: “She is an incredible teammate to have on the pitch, but she is also one of the most caring off the pitch. She is that person to put an arm around you in the hard time. To not have her and her quirkiness is something we all miss already.”

Key player Emma Orr is a barnstorming centre who regularly gets over the gainline. The Bristol Bears back is also a menace at the breakdown with 11 turnovers this PWR season.

Pr****ediction A successful outcome for Scotland would be if they finished third. They have not finished above fourth since 2005 and while they have the quality to do so, rising one place from last year is the most likely outcome. 4th

Scotland’s Emma Orr (left) regularly breaks tackles to put her team on the front foot. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Wales

Coach Sean Lynn. Captain Kate Williams. Last year’s finish 6th

Last season was not what the coach, Sean Lynn, would have wanted in his first year in charge. They finished bottom of the Six Nations and exited the Rugby World Cup in the pool stage after losses to Canada, Fiji and Scotland. When asked what success would look like in this year’s Six Nations, Lynn said: “We will be looking at our consistency. Consistency of performances and then if the results come then brilliant. Consistency in the set piece, defence, everyone knowing their process. Then our attack, I want us to be brave and exciting.” Unfortunately, two of the players who would have been key to consistency are injured. Alex Callender and Nel Metcalfe will be sidelined for the tournament and so the team must strive to hit their targets without some key influences. A boost for the side comes with the inclusion of Alisha Joyce, who gave birth to a son, Ralphie, in November.

Key player Lleucu George has been pulling Gloucester-Hartpury’s strings for the past few seasons and a lot of colleagues will look to her when the team is under pressure.

Wales will look to Lleucu George’s inspirational presence at fly-half when the pressure comes. Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images

Prediction Positive results are not expected, with a wooden spoon likely again, but an improvement to their performances would represent success. 6th.