As we approach the start of the second 6N Festival at this age-level, it’s encouraging to see how it marks a huge step forward for the women’s game.
The inaugural event took place in Edinburgh last year. The organisers will have learned a lot from that experience and tidied up some edges for this year’s version.
The fixtures alone shows the care that goes into constructing the schedule. First, the tournament has been extended from two to three days:
Day One (Friday, 7 April)
England v Wales
Scotland v England
Wales v Scotland
France v Ireland
Italy v France
Ireland v Italy
Day Two (Tuesday 11 April)
Scotland v Ireland
Ireland v England
France v Scotland
England v Italy
Wales v France
Italy v Wales
Day Three (Saturday 15 April)
Italy v Scotland
Ireland v Wales
England v France
On the first two days the first and last matches start at 10.00 and 17.00; on the last day at 12.00 and 16.30.
Spotting two matches in succession for one team may come as a shock, but for the first two rounds games are only 35 minutes long, and both England and Scotland have 27 in their squad. The final day offers 70-minute matches.
Even so, there are only three free days between each round, so fitness will be put to the test.
The third day line-up has all the hallmarks of another Super Saturday, with a France-England clash being placed as the grand finale.
It’s a pity that standings at elite level were repeated last year at U18 level; England and France finished with the best records. But this tournament is a vital step in strengthening pathways towards the top.
Every fixture will be available in live stream format on Six Nations Rugby digital channels.
Venue: Wellington College, Berkshire
James Cooper has announced the first two England sides:
Versus Wales:
15. Daisy Aspinall (Burton, Centre of Excellence: Gloucester Hartpury), 14. Connie Clarke (Preston Grasshoppers, Sale), 13. Sarah Parry (Shrewbury, Worcester), 12. Amelia MacDougall (Old Albanians, Saracens), 11. Emma Gerrard (Morpeth, North East and Cumbria), 10. Millie Hyett (Hartpury College, Gloucester Hartpury), 9. Sam Shiels (Henley College, Wasps), 1. Hannah Sams (Ivybridge, Exeter), 2. Lucy Calladine (Burton, Worcester), 3. Lucy Ward (Exeter College, Exeter), 4. Lucie Sams (Liverpool St Helens, Sale), 5. Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter), 6. Ellie Wood (Sidmouth, Exeter), 7. Sophie McQueen (C; Hartpury College, Gloucester Hartpury), 8. Annabel Meta (Wimbledon, Harlequins)
Bench
16. Amelia Williams (Medway, Gloucester Hartpury), 17. Lucy Simpson (Hartpury College, Gloucester Hartpury), 18. Lucy Finch (Henley College, Harlequins), 19. Lauren Knowler (Henley College, Harlequins), 20. Lauren Bailey (Dings Crusaders, Bristol)
And v Scotland:
15. Lauren Bailey (Dings Crusaders, Bristol), 14. Connie Clarke (Preston Grasshoppers, Sale), 13. Natalee Evans (Shrewsbury, Worcester), 12. Lauren Knowler (Henley College, Harlequins), 11. Emma Gerrard (Morpeth, North East and Cumbria), 10. Ella Cromack (Reading, Wasps), 9. Evie Haskell (Mansfield, Loughborough), 1. Amelia Williams (Medway, Gloucester Hartpury), 2. Lucy Simpson (Hartpury College, Gloucester Hartpury), 3. Tilly Poland (Farnham, Harlequins), 4. Bridget Campbell (Sandal, Yorkshire), 5. Ellie Wood (Sidmouth, Exeter), 6. Anna Richardson (Tynedale, North East and Cumbria), 7. Lucy Finch (captain; Henley College, Harlequins), 8. Haineala Lutui (Worcester, Worcester)
Bench
16. Hannah Sams (Ivybridge, Exeter), 17. Lucy Calladine (Burton, Worcester),18. Sophie McQueen (Hartpury College, Gloucester Hartpury), 19. Amelia MacDougall (Old Albanians, Saracens), 20. Daisy Aspinall (Burton, Gloucester Hartpury)
Both games take place on 7 April.
Given the short playing time of the first two rounds, only five players fill the bench. World Rugby has been trying to reduce bench numbers, with little success. Here though the numbers seem eminently sensible.
Every player is assured of appearing at some stage or other.
