Women’s Six Nations

A Competition on the Rise

The Women’s Six Nations has undergone a remarkable transformation in the space of a few years. What was once an afterthought in the rugby calendar — played in front of sparse crowds with minimal media coverage — has become a standalone event that commands dedicated broadcast slots, sells out international venues and generates genuine public interest. The growth has been driven by a combination of improved investment from national unions, greater visibility through free-to-air television, and the sustained excellence of several competing nations.

The championship features the same six nations as the men’s tournament: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It is typically played across March and April, positioned in the calendar after the men’s competition to give the women’s championship its own distinct window and avoid scheduling clashes.

Format

The Women’s Six Nations follows the same round-robin format as the men’s championship: five rounds of fixtures, with each team playing every other nation once. Home and away assignments alternate annually. The standard points system applies — four for a win, two for a draw — with bonus points available for scoring four or more tries and for losing by seven points or fewer. The Grand Slam, Triple Crown and other sub-prizes mirror those in the men’s competition.

England’s Red Roses

England have been the dominant force in the Women’s Six Nations for the best part of a decade. The Red Roses have assembled a squad of extraordinary depth and quality, backed by the resources of the Rugby Football Union and a growing domestic league structure in the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition. Their winning record in the championship has been remarkable, with consecutive Grand Slams and long unbeaten runs that have set a standard for the rest of the competition.

England’s strength is built on professionalism. The RFU’s decision to offer full-time professional contracts to its women’s players was a significant step, allowing athletes to train full-time and benefit from elite coaching, nutrition and sports science support. This investment has produced a squad capable of competing with the best in the world, and the results have followed accordingly.

The Competitive Landscape

France have emerged as England’s most consistent challengers, bringing physicality, pace and an increasingly structured game plan to the championship. Irish women’s rugby has benefited from the provincial system and centralised contracting, with Ireland regularly competitive in the upper reaches of the table. Scotland and Wales have made strides in developing their women’s programmes, though both nations acknowledge that closing the gap to England and France requires continued investment over several more cycles.

Italy, like their male counterparts, have found the Women’s Six Nations a demanding environment, but their results have shown gradual improvement. The presence of all six nations ensures that the championship retains its round-robin integrity, even as the performance gap between the top two and the rest remains a topic of discussion.

Growing Attendances

One of the most encouraging developments in recent years has been the growth in match-day attendance. England have sold out Twickenham for women’s internationals, attracting crowds that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. France have similarly drawn large audiences to their home matches, and the other four nations have reported steady increases in gate figures. This growth is not merely symbolic — larger crowds generate revenue that can be reinvested in the women’s game, creating a virtuous cycle of investment and interest.

Where to Watch

The Women’s Six Nations is broadcast on BBC in the United Kingdom, with matches shown on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. This free-to-air coverage has been instrumental in raising the profile of the championship, ensuring that women’s international rugby is accessible to the broadest possible audience. The BBC’s commitment to broadcasting the Women’s Six Nations has been widely praised as a model for how to grow a women’s sport through media exposure.

For the latest fixture details, visit our UK TV Schedule.

Read about the men’s championship on our Six Nations page, or explore the World Rugby Rankings to see where the six nations sit in the global standings.