Round Three of the 2019 Women’s Six Nations is flying into view this weekend and with it comes three more intriguing clashes.
The round kicks off on Saturday evening when Italy Women host Ireland in Parma, swiftly followed by the meeting of France and Scotland in Lille.
A Sunday lunchtime treat sees in-form England heading to Cardiff Arms Park to take on Wales, who impressed last time out with a gritty performance in Italy.
ITALY WOMEN V IRELAND WOMEN
The match at Viale Piacenza (Lanfranchi) in Parma looks to be a fascinating encounter, with both of these sides having won one match so far but with the Italians second in the Championship having also drawn against Wales.
The Azzurre have seven points, one ahead of France and two ahead of Ireland, who will hope to leapfrog Italy with a win on the road.
If Italy didn’t register as many points as they would’ve liked against Wales – drawing 3-3 – Ireland certainly did in Round Two as they ran out 22-5 winners at Scotstoun.
Anna Caplice, Alison Miller, Aoife McDermott and Leah Lyons all touched down against the Scots, while Wasps flanker Claire Molloy has been at her usual excellent best in both rounds.
Ireland head coach Adam Griggs has made one change to take on Italy, with scrum-half Kathryn Dane starting and Ailsa Hughes moving to the bench.
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FRANCE WOMEN V SCOTLAND WOMEN
Last year’s Grand Slam champions France will look to get their campaign swiftly back on track when they host Scotland Women at Le Stadium (Nord Lille Metropole).
France were well-beaten by England last time out, losing 41-26 but putting in a strong performance – led by No.8 Romane Menager, who made 155 metres – 37 more than any other player on the second weekend of the Championship.
There are only slight changes to France’s 25-woman squad to take on Scotland, with fly-half Emma Coudert and Laura Touye being included.
Scotland, meanwhile, are also looking to bounce back and will need a determined defensive performance once again – seven of the eight members of their pack registered more than 21 tackles against Ireland, with lock Deborah McCormack making 12 before she was removed from the fray at the break.
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WALES WOMEN V ENGLAND WOMEN
To round off the weekend we have a mouth-watering clash between old enemies Wales and England at the always-atmospheric Cardiff Arms Park.
It was a resolute performance from Rowland Phillips’ women last time out, drawing 3-3 away at in-form Italy, and the head coach has made five changes to his side to face England.
Flanker Alex Callender, 18, earns a full debut while Mel Clay returns at lock, 50-times capped Elinor Snowsill is at full-back and there are also starts for Hannah Bluck and wing Jess Kavanagh.
England sit proudly atop the Women’s Six Nations table with ten points and attempt to win the third game of their Championship.
The Red Roses were magnificent against France with fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean and centre Emily Scarratt both standing out. The pair kicked 573 metres between them in an excellent display of tactical kicking – expect more of the same against Wales as well as more momentum-building huge tackles from Scarratt.
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