England Women’s fixtures for the 2017 Six Nations have been confirmed with three home games taking place, one at Twickenham and two at the Twickenham Stoop.
The schedule of fixtures replicates the senior men and U20 teams, with the Red Roses getting the Championship underway against title holders France at Twickenham on Saturday 4 February. The match will take place immediately after the conclusion of the men’s game which kicks off at 4.50pm.
England then travel to Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 11 February (KO 11am) before hosting Italy at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday 25 February, KO 1pm, as a curtain raiser to the men’s fixture which kicks off over the road at Twickenham at 3pm.
Their penultimate game of the tournament will be against Scotland on Saturday 11 March at Twickenham Stoop, getting under way at 1pm. The Red Roses finish their campaign in Dublin, Ireland, hosts of the 2017 Women’s World Cup in August on Friday 17 March, St Patrick’s Day (KO 8pm).
“We have a lot of work to put in from now until February as the Six Nations forms a vital part of our World Cup preparations,” said head coach Simon Middleton.
“This is a really exciting time for women’s rugby. A squad of 32 15-aside players will be training full time from January, providing us with a great foundation from which to build towards the World Cup in August.
“The Six Nations is a truly world-class tournament and we expect a tough level of competition. We came close last season and will be aiming to go one better this time.”
Five players have been awarded additional short-term contracts adding to the 11 announced in September. Sarah Bern (Bristol), Poppy Cleall (Bristol), Justine Lucas (Lichfield) and Fiona Pocock (Aylesford Bulls) all played during the Old Mutual Wealth Series while Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park) completes the line-up, having made her senior England debut during the summer series in Utah.
Broadcast details for fixtures are still to be confirmed, but any home games not televised will be livestreamed on EnglandRugby.com.
England Women U20 will also play two games against France during the Six Nations period, first at Esher RFC on 25 February, kicking off at 3pm with free entry to spectators, and away on Friday 17 March at 7pm at Stade Guy Boniface, Mont-De-Marsan. As in previous seasons, the U20s will warm up with a fixture against the Army Women at Aldershot Stadium on Thursday 16 February, KO TBC.
England Women Six Nations fixtures:
England v France
Saturday 4 February, KO TBC
Twickenham stadium
Free entry after the men’s game
Wales v England
Saturday 11 February, KO 11am
Cardiff Arms Park
England v Italy
Saturday 25 February, KO 1pm
Twickenham Stoop
Tickets available here
England v Scotland
Saturday 11 March, KO 1pm
Twickenham Stoop
Tickets available here
Ireland v England
Friday 17 March, KO 8pm
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Report courtesy of England Rugby
