Round one of the Championship sprang some surprises. On opening day, few would have predicted Scotland winning their first Test against Wales in Cardiff for twenty years, but they did just that. Bryan Easson was quietly confident going into this campaign, and he was right to be so, while shrewd recruitment to his backroom staff - with ex-England wing Matt Banahan on board - paid off with an exciting attacking display.
Earlier in the day, Ireland showed they meant business away to perennial co-favourites France. In the process, new Ireland head coach Scott Bemand's side equalled the amount of physical tries they scored in last year's tournament (their third in 2023 was a penalty try), thanks to a rousing late effort by the two Aoifes, Wafer and Dalton. Still, Les Bleues rode out the storm to win with a 21-point margin.
Under new head coach John Mitchell, arguably the biggest coaching name the women's game has seen, England overcame an early red card - and a later yellow - to beat Italy 48-0. It was a reminder, if one was at all needed, of their position at the vanguard of the women's game. It was also a match that saw the Red Roses' talismanic captain Marlie Packer win her 100th cap, while new mum Abbie Ward marked her return to the international scene with a try.
The opening round provided plenty of food for thought for Fantasy Rugby Geek, who mused whether kickers in the women's fantasy game would be as influential as they had been earlier in the year for the men's Championship.
in round two, Scotland proved their performance a week earlier was no flash in the pan, pushing France all the way. Indeed, they even led at half time, before a Gallic response in the form of tries from Kelly Arbey and Emeline Gros ensured sighs of relief from travelling fans reverberated around the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. Was this a sign of the Scots' continued upward trajectory, France's diminishing returns, or a mix of both?
In the second match of the afternoon, England welcomed a record crowd (away from Twickenham) to Ashton Gate for their clash with Wales. The home setting for several of Wales' Bristol-based players did little to help stem the Red Roses' attack - with seven different England players touching down - while limiting the visitors to a single try by Keira Bevan.
A very close encounter saw out the second round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations, as Ireland and Italy went down to the wire in Dublin's RDS Arena. Ireland were within touching distance of a much-needed victory, their first in the Championship since 2021, but it was Giovanni Raineri's Italy who closed out the match with history-making determination. It was Italy's first ever Championship win against the Irish in Ireland.
Round Three
If anybody thought round three would be a continuation of the English and French procession to a Super Saturday showdown, then nobody shared that with the Azzurre. From past players like Melissa Bettoni to current players like Ilaria Arrighetti, they feel this is best time to be playing a France side they deem to be indecisive, lacking their usual cohesion and pomp.
Wales may be sensing the possibility of a first win of the campaign when they travel to Cork, while Scotland will hope their cause is bolstered when they play in front of a record home crowd against the English juggernaut.
In Paris, one of the most remarkable on-field rugby careers will draw to a close with referee Joy Neville's final Test match.
Players to Watch
Francesca McGhie, a 2023 nominee for World Rugby Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, will start Saturday's match against England on the bench. After missing the first two games due to injury, the young winger - who made her debut in this fixture last year - will be out to make the sort of impact to which her teammates have become accustomed.
Aoife Wafer will be on the radar of every team she comes up against for the remainder of this year's Championship, following some eye-catching displays for Ireland. She will be truly tested against a Welsh team whose back rowers Bethan Lewis and Alex Callender have been racking up some serious stats of their own.
Try-scoring front rowers are a delight not just for head coaches, but for fantasy rugby managers, epitomised by Italy hooker Vittoria Vecchini's brace against Ireland in round two. Vecchini's efforts have put her joint-second in the try-scoring list this year, and with the Azzurre full of confidence ahead of their trans-Alpine meeting with France, let's see if she can increase her tally.
Find out how you can watch every game of Guinness Women's Six Nations round three here.
