It has been 196 days since the Red Roses won the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the third time, capping the tournament in front of a record-breaking, sold-out crowd at Twickenham. As the Women’s Six Nations begins on April 11, England return to the Allianz Stadium for their opener against Ireland, with Swing Low expected to echo around the ground once more.
Meg Jones captains the side for the first time. Former captain Zoe Aldcroft is among four players absent due to pregnancy. More than 75,000 fans are expected to welcome the Roses home.
Jones spoke about the boost the supporters bring, recalling the World Cup final and the “echo of Swing Low” around the stadium. She said the team aim to be entertainers and rely on the crowd as their “extra 16th player.”
England and Ireland last met in the Six Nations in Cork, where the Roses won 49-5. England head into the championship aiming to extend a record-breaking 33-test winning run, and favourites to claim an eighth consecutive Six Nations title and a Grand Slam. Coach John Mitchell remains unbeaten in two years and has named a familiar 32-woman squad: 25 World Cup winners return, and there is one debutant, Haineala Lutui, daughter of former Tonga men’s captain Aleki Lutui.
A personal milestone will see Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney‑MacDonald win her 50th cap — and for the first time she will face her wife, England wing Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald. Ireland are captained by Erin King, who missed the World Cup through a knee injury, and will field a back row anchored by last year’s Six Nations MVP Aoife Wafer.
France again appear England’s principal challengers after reaching the World Cup semi‑finals and producing close contests with the Roses. They begin the Six Nations under Francois Ratier, who took over in January, and must turn encouraging performances into statement wins if they are to position themselves for a round‑five Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux.
But the championship should not be written up as a two‑horse race. Ireland, Scotland and Wales enter with renewed momentum and the potential to reshape the hierarchy. Ireland’s third‑place finish last year and a settled coaching setup suggest upward movement. Scotland and Wales have new coaching teams: Scotland carry confidence from steady progress, while Wales aim to rebound from a disappointing World Cup.
Wales hope to surpass their crowd record of 21,186 — set against England last year — when they host Scotland at Principality Stadium. The Welsh team were whitewashed in 2025 for the first time, but coach Sean Lynn has introduced new coaches, nine new caps and named flanker Kate Williams captain; 12 of Wales’ squad come from unbeaten Gloucester Hartpury in the English Championship.
Scotland, who beat Wales 38-8 en route to the World Cup quarter-finals, face the loss of several experienced players to injury and retirement. Teenager Emily Coubrough is set to debut under new coach Sione Fukofuka, who led the United States at the World Cup.
Together, the home nations add depth, unpredictability and narrative weight to a tournament often framed as a contest between England and France.
England’s 2026 Women’s Six Nations fixtures:
– v Ireland (Saturday April 11) — Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (2.25pm)
– v Scotland (Saturday April 18) — Murrayfield, Edinburgh (1.30pm)
– v Wales (Saturday April 25) — Ashton Gate, Bristol (2.15pm)
– v Italy (Saturday May 9) — Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (3pm)
– v France (Sunday May 17) — Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (5.45pm)