It is 196 days since the Red Roses lifted the Women’s Rugby World Cup for a third time at a sold‑out Twickenham, and they return to the Allianz Stadium to kick off the 2026 Women’s Six Nations on April 11 against Ireland. More than 75,000 supporters are expected, with Swing Low likely to ring around the ground once again.
Meg Jones will captain England for the first time. Former skipper Zoe Aldcroft is among four players absent from the squad through pregnancy. Jones has spoken of the lift the crowd provides, describing supporters as an extra player and underlining the team’s ambition to entertain as well as win.
England head into the championship on the back of a record 33‑test winning run and are favourites to secure an eighth successive Six Nations title and a Grand Slam. John Mitchell remains unbeaten in charge for two years and has named a familiar 32‑player squad: 25 World Cup winners return and there is one debutant, Haineala Lutui, the daughter of former Tonga captain Aleki Lutui. The Roses last met Ireland in the Six Nations in Cork, winning 49‑5, and will be aiming to build on that result.
Ireland arrive with their own storylines. Hooker Cliodhna Moloney‑MacDonald will earn her 50th cap, and for the first time she will play against her wife, England wing Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald. Erin King captains Ireland after missing the World Cup with a knee injury, and their pack includes last season’s Six Nations MVP Aoife Wafer anchoring the back row.
France remain England’s most obvious challengers after reaching the World Cup semi‑finals and producing tight encounters with the Roses. They begin the tournament under new head coach Francois Ratier, who took charge in January, and will be seeking to turn promising performances into statement victories if they are to reach a potential Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux in round five.
But the tournament is not simply a two‑horse race. Ireland, Scotland and Wales each carry momentum and the potential to disrupt expectations. Ireland’s third‑place finish last year and coaching continuity suggest progression. Scotland and Wales have fresh coaching structures: Scotland arrive with confidence after a strong World Cup run, while Wales, who were whitewashed in 2025 for the first time, have overhauled their staff and personnel.
Wales hope to break their home attendance record of 21,186, set against England last year, when they host Scotland at the Principality Stadium. Coach Sean Lynn has introduced new assistants, handed nine new caps, and named flanker Kate Williams as captain; 12 members of Wales’ squad come from unbeaten Gloucester Hartpury in the English Championship.
Scotland, who beat Wales 38‑8 on the way to the World Cup quarter‑finals, face the absence of several experienced players to injury and retirement. Teenager Emily Coubrough is set to make her debut under new coach Sione Fukofuka, who led the United States at the World Cup.
Together the home nations add depth, unpredictability and storyline weight to a championship often framed as England versus France. Expect a competitive opening weekend and plenty of theatre as international rivalries resume.
England 2026 Women’s Six Nations fixtures:
– v Ireland (Saturday April 11) — Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (14:25)
– v Scotland (Saturday April 18) — Murrayfield, Edinburgh (13:30)
– v Wales (Saturday April 25) — Ashton Gate, Bristol (14:15)
– v Italy (Saturday May 9) — Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (15:00)
– v France (Sunday May 17) — Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (17:45)