Round two of action in the Women’s Six Nations has come and gone and after wins for England, France and Ireland here are six talking points…
England are electric
Okay, so we are not saying anything that anyone didn’t know, but on Saturday while missing quite a number of frontliners they really took Scotland to the cleaners 84-7 at Murrayfield. Their backs get a lot of credit and rightly so, but here it was big ball carriers like Maud Muir and Maddie Feaunati that got them on the front foot and their pack is something else. You cannot win games of rugby without a power game and a strong bench and England have both of those.
Scotland stunned, but still a milestone occasion
No one realistically thought that a Scotland team at the start of a new Rugby World Cup cycle and with a new coaching team were going to beat England, but they admitted themselves afterwards that this was a poor performance. What was not poor was the 30,498 record crowd that was at Murrayfield for the big game and the atmosphere was excellent with lots of families and youngsters there. There is no doubt that Scottish women’s rugby is on the map now.
What a moment for Rianna Darroch
The 20-year-old from Aviemore was an unused sub the week before against Wales, but got her chance early against England when scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden went off for an HIA. Darroch, the Highland product who now plays for Hillhead Jordanhill and Glasgow Warriors. Only took up rugby aged 15 after being a swimmer in her youth and now she is Scotland cap 252 who has played in front of 30,498 at Murrayfield – what a moment!
Scotland squad depth being stretched
With Jade Konkel, Lisa Cockburn, Caity Mattinson, Christine Belisle, Beth Blacklock and Molly Wright not involved post-Rugby World Cup and Anne Young, Sarah Bonar, Evie Gallagher, Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr out injured, the last thing Scotland supporters needed to see on Saturday was Evie Wills going off with a serios looking shoulder injury. Captain Rachel Malcolm is also battling a knee issue and there were a couple of HIAs. The medical team could be busy at Oriam this week pre-Italy.
Pauline Bourdon Sansus is a genius
France have got off to a good start in this competition with two bonus point wins from two and scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus has been at the heart of everything positive. Although she was yellow carded early on versus Wales at Cardiff Arms Park this week, she more than made up for it by setting up a number of tries and scoring one herself in a 38-7 away triumph. If they are top push England for the title she will have to stay on top form.
Ireland will be buoyant ahead of France trip
France away is a whole different kettle of fish than Italy at home for sure, but the way Ireland played in attack in Galway versus the latter at the weekend in a 57-20 bonus point victory sets them up nicely for Saturday’s trip to Clermont-Ferrand. Winger Beibhinn Parsons is as rapid as they come and she ran in a first half hat-trick of tries as they led the stunned Italians 45-10 at the break at the Dexcom Stadium.
Emma Wassell is pictured with a big fan on a big day on Saturday – thanks to Scottish Rugby
The Women’s Six Nations is here and the 2026 event runs from April 11 to May 17 and, between April 6 and May 20, GH Media will be covering Scotland’s campaign and the wider tournament – keep an eye out for content and thanks to everyone who supports GH Media’s work within women’s rugby