The 2026 Women's Six Nations is set to be a thrilling tournament, with England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales all vying for the title. As the teams gear up for the competition, it's worth taking a closer look at each squad and their prospects for the upcoming matches. While England are the defending champions and favorites to win it all, the other teams have their own stories to tell and are not to be underestimated.
England: The Defending Champions
England, led by coach John Mitchell and captain Meg Jones, are the clear favorites to win the tournament for an eighth year in a row. Their recent World Cup victory has given them a boost of confidence, and they are determined to make history by becoming the first men's or women's team to win a Six Nations after a World Cup win. However, the squad has been hit by some key retirements, including Abby Dow and Emily Scarratt, as well as injuries and pregnancies among other players. Despite these setbacks, England remains a formidable force, with key players like Alex Matthews and Meg Jones leading the way.
France: The Underdogs
France, under the leadership of coach François Ratier and captain Manaé Feleu, is facing the fear of being second best every year. While they have been impressive at times, their improvement seems to have stalled over the past few years. However, with Ratier taking over as head coach in January, the team is also a little bit of an unknown. France will be looking to make a statement and challenge for the title, but they may struggle to overcome England in the final round.
Ireland: The Rising Stars
Ireland, led by coach Scott Bemand and captain Erin King, has progressed hugely over the past few years. They pushed England for the first half-hour of their 2025 Six Nations fixture and finished 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. Ireland will be looking to build on their success and challenge for the title, but they may struggle with power issues and the absence of some key players.
Italy: The Underdogs
Italy, under the leadership of coach Fabio Roselli and captain Elisa Giordano, has had a bumpy start to its tenure as Italy’s coach. While they showed promise in the Six Nations, they were knocked out in the pool stage after managing to beat only debutants Brazil. Italy will be looking to improve and build on their success, but they may struggle to replicate last year’s finish.
Scotland: The New Era
Scotland, led by coach Sione Fukofuka and captain Rachel Malcolm, is starting a new era this Six Nations. While the staff have been getting to know their players and setting out their goals, they have been hit with bad news, including the injury to Evie Gallagher and the retirements of four key players from the World Cup. Scotland will be looking to make a statement and challenge for the title, but they may struggle to finish above fourth.
Wales: The Struggling Giants
Wales, led by coach Sean Lynn and captain Kate Williams, had a tough season last year, finishing bottom of the Six Nations and exiting the Rugby World Cup in the pool stage. While they are looking to improve and build on their success, they may struggle with consistency and the absence of some key players. Wales will be looking to make a statement and challenge for the title, but they may struggle to avoid the wooden spoon again.
In conclusion, the 2026 Women's Six Nations is set to be a thrilling tournament, with England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales all vying for the title. While England is the clear favorite, the other teams have their own stories to tell and are not to be underestimated. The tournament promises to be a showcase of talent, determination, and sportsmanship, and I can't wait to see what unfolds on the pitch.
