W6N Round 1 Recap
- therookiereporters
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
The Women’s Six Nations just kicked off with the series being more popular than ever following the World Cup but also the stakes even higher especially for the world’s best team - England. A plethora of drama on the field, many phenomenal tries and a few sent to the sin bin, here is what you missed from Round 1.
France v Italy
The game had only just started and a yellow card was awarded to Pilani for a dangerous clear-out at the same time that Vernier received one too for an upright tackle that led to a player needing a HIA (Head Injury Assessment). Our first score came 20 minutes into the match by France’s Grando giving them a 5 point lead over Italy. Momentarily Grisez would score a try for France to double their lead until it was disallowed for an obstruction leaving the win all to play for in the second half.
3 minutes into the second half and France were fighting for the win with Arbez scoring and not long after Brosseau would score for Les Blues making the score 19 - 0. A lineout turned maul would then see France clinch the bonus point with their fourth try courtesy of Khalfaoui. Just over 10 minutes left France scored again this time with Murie and then just 5 minutes later with Barrat. Italy were exhausted from their defensive efforts but still managed to get points on the board after a cross field kick from Stevanin to Buso on the open far side. France would take the win in a dominant style with a 33 point lead.
Score: 40 - 7 to France
England v Ireland
The Red Roses came at Ireland with no mercy and would take the first try of the match at 7 minutes with Amy Cockayne from a driving maul. The next try came from Bern as she made a dummy move to trick the defending Irish she was moving to the outside of the post just to slip back inside and ground the ball with no contest. Bern would make it a double 30 minutes in, after the ball slipped from Packer’s grasp following an Irish tackle. It was collected up by Moloney-MacDonald to be run down the line and an inside pass to Bern to score.
Our second half saw England continue with their momentum as captain Meg Jones blocked an Irish kick enabling a foot race that Jess Breach won to take her 54th try in 54 caps, equalling Emily Scarrat who is 3rd in the try scoring record books for the Red Roses. At 63 minutes Ireland would receive their long awaited try with the help of a driving maul then pass to McGann to score. After being denied her initial try Ellie Killdunne would get the ball from Harrison and accelerate down to the try line with the Irish unable to slow her down, making the score 33 - 5. Ireland weren’t done yet however as less than 10 minutes remaining Erin King would score by diving over the top of a previous ruck. Ireland’s scoring efforts came too late and England would take the win making it the closest margin in a decade between the two teams.
Score: 33 - 12 to England
Wales v Scotland
A huge break was made for Scotland and they charged down the field evading Welsh efforts to deny them a score but Chloe Rollie would get her country 5 points by 8 minutes into the match. Wales immediately responded with a driving maul that saw Kelsey Jones score while Scotland’s Bartlett would receive a yellow card on her 50th cap for collapsing said driving maul. By 20 minutes Wales’ Tuipulotu scored, collecting up the ball in an initially missed lineout. They’d be denied the conversion by the woodwork as the ball bounced off the post. Nelson took a penalty for Scotland to then make the score 12 - 10 to Wales going into halftime.
At the 52 minute mark Shona Campbell took her first ever try for Scotland following a scrum and down field kick which Wales failed to collect. Wales then got hit with another blow after losing their lead with King being awarded a yellow card for a high tackle. Succeeding a cross field kick by Meryl Smith, Lucia Scott caught the ball and beat Wales 1 on 1 to add to their points advantage. Wales didn’t back down, despite being on the back foot, as a huge carry was made by Lockwood who took the ball swiftly at a ruck catching the Scottish side sleeping to reach the 5m line from the 20m line. The aftermath of this carry was their captain, Williams, to take a try at 73 minutes. The final moments of the game saw tensions grow exponentially as Wales now only needed a try to take a 1 point win over Scotland. A penalty was awarded to Scotland however Nelson missed her kick and it was collected by Wales to continue play. Just when everyone believed the match was over as Scotland gained possession to kick the ball into touch, the referee awarded a yellow card to Swann for head on head contact meaning it was all to play for still, 6 minutes into the red. A lineout for Wales gave hope for a win still alight but a miscommunication saw them throw the ball into touch and seal the score.
Score: 19 - 24 to Scotland
Round 2 Schedule
18/04/2026
Scotland v England 13:30
Wales v France 15:35
Ireland v Italy 17:40
Article written by Alice Seager ©️Alice Seager 2026
