The Women’s Six Nations Championship is one of the fastest-growing international tournaments in world sport. Here is a guide to the competition, the teams involved, and why 2026 is shaping up to be another landmark year for the women’s game.
What Is the Women’s Six Nations?
The Women’s Six Nations features the same six nations as the men’s tournament — England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy — competing in a round-robin format across six weeks of international rugby. The championship is determined by points accumulated across five matches, with bonus points available for try-scoring and narrow defeats.
England’s Red Roses have been the dominant force in the competition for much of the past decade, winning multiple Grand Slams and World Cup titles. But competition from France, Ireland and the Black Ferns (New Zealand) in international rugby has intensified significantly.
England’s Red Roses — The Benchmark
England’s women have been the dominant force in the Six Nations for years. Their physicality, professional depth and coaching structure — supported by full-time professional contracts for the squad’s core players — has set them apart from most rivals. The Red Roses play an expansive, well-structured game that translates equally well to World Cup rugby.
France have been England’s closest rivals in the Six Nations for several years — their athleticism and attacking creativity make them the most dangerous threat to English dominance in the northern hemisphere.
Ireland’s Rise
Ireland’s women’s programme has made significant strides, driven by investment from the IRFU and a generation of talented players progressing through provincial and interprovincial pathways. Ireland’s performances in recent years suggest they are closing the gap on England and France at the top of the Six Nations table.
Why the Women’s Game Is Growing
Broadcast coverage of the Women’s Six Nations has expanded significantly, with the BBC and ITV broadcasting matches live in the UK. Attendances at home games have risen, with Allianz Stadium hosting England games to near-capacity crowds in recent seasons.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup cycle drives attention and investment — clubs and unions invest more in women’s programmes in World Cup years, and the quality of play at Test level reflects that investment.
Upcoming Women’s World Cup
The Women’s Rugby World Cup continues to grow as a global event. England’s Red Roses, France, New Zealand’s Black Ferns and Australia’s Wallaroos are among the traditional frontrunners, but the depth of competition across all regions has increased substantially in recent years.
For more on the women’s game and how it works, see the Women’s Rugby guide.