Recent Government and Health Authority restrictions affecting squad preparations, travel, and the inability to stage matches due to the sport’s amateur status have made the successful completion of the 2020 Championship impossible.

The three cancelled matches are:

Italy v Scotland (round 3 match, originally rescheduled for Dec 6)
Wales v Scotland (round 5 match, originally rescheduled for Nov 1)
France v Ireland (round 5 match, originally reschedule for Nov 1)

Ben Morel, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: “This was an extremely tough decision that was only taken after we had explored every possible option to get these matches played. It is especially disappointing that these cancellations come at a time when there is such positive momentum around the women’s game and for the Women’s Six Nations in particular.

We will now, with our Unions, put our focus and energy toward the 2021 Championship.”

The table for the 2020 Championship will remain as it stands with England already crowned Grand Slam winners having played and won all five of their matches, finishing with victory over Italy in Rome a week ago.

Topping a successful campaign for the Red Roses, England’s Emily Scarratt was also crowned Women’s Player of the Championship, presented by Guinness, on Friday, becoming the first Player of the Championship in the history of the Women’s Six Nations.

It’s a relief to know the right decision has been made in the very first edition of the award. Picking a single player out in such a thoroughly team sport like rugby can lead to heated debate. Not in this case. Indeed it’s hard to find another player in world rugby who has mastered so many skills in so many areas to such a high degree.

Then we come to the less digestible side of things. This is the first time Guinness has offered a women’s award, sixteen years after the men’s version. We should be grateful for that, but the fact that it comes in the middle of the championship – there are three tests still to play – reminds us how the women’s Six Nations is still tied to its father’s apron-strings.

Where the men’s game goes, there the women’s game must follow.

So for the 2020 season women’s fixtures were again hooked to the men’s. That meant in effect that the winners were known as the final whistle blew in Pau in Round One. At least we can expect the England-France game to sit in Round Four next time.

We still haven’t learned the outcome of any discussions the 6N committee has had about rejigging the women’s tournament. The 2021 schedule looks very much like business as usual. And the biggest discrepancy lies in the financial reward.

If we look at attendances alone, then the gender disparity is partly justified. 82,000 for an England men’s home game; 10,000 for the women. But ironically attendances have been identical over the latter stages this year.

If we look at the input of players, then it’s hard to spot the difference. Whether the women players are amateur (the vast majority) or professional (the chosen few), their commitment to the game is astonishing and admirable. But it brings no financial reward.

Guinness are ‘Official Partners’ of the women’s 6N. They and the six unions will know precisely what that arrangement entails. How many of the public do?

Emily Scarratt celebrates with the Six Nations trophy as England are champions (Photo Credit ©INPHO/Matteo Ciambelli)

Ellie Kildunne made her presence felt within four minutes of kick-off. As the ball was moved right, she stabbed back inside to remind everyone of her attacking qualities. (0-7)

She was needed in deep defence as the Azzurre mounted a dangerous assault on their right flank, but this was to prove a rare moment of concern. For once a chip by Katy Daley-Mclean behind the Italian line didn’t bring its usual reward. Instead Marlie Packer, returning after a long absence, received a cut to the forehead and was replaced temporarily by Alex Matthews – another welcome return after even longer away.

Inside the first quarter Sarah Beckett drove for the line at the back of an attacking scrum, was held but had Poppy Cleall on hand to complete the job. (0-14)
Sarah Bern hoped she had scored another try off the back of a line-out, but the TMO and Aurélie Groizeleau agreed the ball had just nudged forward off Abbie Ward’s hands as she leapt.

But within two minutes the scoreboard ticked over again from a lovely move. Abby Dow found herself in midfield as the ball swung right; she fed Emily Scarratt who, as so often, found the ways parting in front of her as she cruised in to score by the posts.

This was her 47th try for her country, bringing her equal with Nolli Waterman’s total, but a good way short of Sue Day’s record of 61. Still, she has plenty of time. (0-21)

Next it was Amber Reed’s turn to cut through the Italian defences, but Claudia Macdonald couldn’t hang on to her pass as she hurtled over the line.
The pressure was beginning to tell on the hosts. Groizeleau had to have a chat with Manuela Furlan, but thank goodness, she didn’t find it necessary to show any cards through the game. Instead, another perfectly produced line-out left Ward claiming a fourth try. That was the bonus point assured. (0-28)

The Azzurre finished the half well, mounting assaults on the English line, but their lack of match practice showed as little handling errors undid the good work. A final thrust came to nought when the England captain snaffled the ball from their grasp as they looked to cross the line.

Half-time 0-28

The third quarter remained scoreless, but Italy were racking up penalties almost as fast the tackles they had to make. Most of England’s progress was made close to the scrum and ruck; there were few passages of wide play to exploit the searing pace of the back-3 trio, Dow-Breach-Kildunne.

On 56 minutes Matthews and Amy Cokayne came on to make life harder for the hosts. Two minutes later Sarah Bern scored the try she’d been denied much earlier. (0-35) That was Scarratt’s fifth conversion out of five.

Simon Middleton made the bulk of his changes at the three-quarter mark. On came Helena Rowland for her debut at No 10, and the skipper was allowed her first rest of the series.

The new pack, with Detysha Harper, Shaunagh Brown and Harriet Millar-Mills on board, promptly drove the Italians rearwards to win a penalty. Ward opted for another scrum. These tactics paid handsomely, as they drained the opposition’s stamina faster than any alternative ploy.

With twelve minutes to go the ball chained right to Zoe Harrison who fed her chum Jess Breach to add her 23rd try in her fourteenth test. (0-40)

The only pity was that this was a rare example of the ball moving wide exploit the penetration of the outside backs in space. They had to make do with two tries on the night.

What, more Weather?

The extraordinary weather patterns of the series have almost been forgotten in the long painful saga of the pandemic. But the Clerk to the Weather was determined to have the last word.

Not satisfied with his hurricane force winds, sheeting rain (Dublin), snowstorms (Edinburgh) and heatwave (Pau!) of the first two rounds, he turned on his fog button for the last twelve minutes of Round Five in Parma. That might be the excuse for Leanne Riley’s try as she intercepted Sofia Stefan’s pass back from a line-out to stroll over the line. Did she disappear from everyone else’s view?

Then we had a repeat of the closing moments of last year’s encounter in Exeter, when the England No 7 chalked up her side’s half-century in the 81st minute. Only this time it wasn’t Vicky Fleetwood, it was Marlie Packer, newly restored to the strength after a long injury lay-off and motherhood. No doubting who that try was to be dedicated to.

Result: 0-54

Believe it or not

This was Italy’s first home game of the 2020 Six Nations, 280 days after the tournament started.

They came into the game on an unbeaten home streak of four games (W3, D1).

What an irony that England should be granted an almost unbroken run through this most disrupted of all Six Nations tournaments. Even Wales, the only other side to have completed four matches before the pandemic broke, have had their last fixture postponed a second time.

Katy Daley-Mclean came level with Tamara Taylor on 115 caps to be third equal.

Emily Scarratt entered the ‘nervous nineties’ of caps, though anyone spotting her looking nervous should claim some of the champagne.

Sarah Hunter has captained her country 71 times. Today she was minuting secretary.

Mo Hunt is the only 6 Nations player to be named as a coronavirus victim. The Scottish player (Round 2) and the French players (Round 5) have remained anonymous.

We hope all are (have been) restored quickly to full vigour.

The Red Roses adopted the shape of the cross of St George as they took a knee before the match.

Teams:

Italy

15. Manuela Furlan (captain, Arredissima Villorba, 74 caps)
14. Maria Magatti (CUS Milano, 32 caps)
13. Michela Sillari (Valsugana Padova, 56 caps)
12. Beatrice Rigoni (Valsugana Padova, 42 caps)
11. Sofia Stefan (Valsugana Padova, 55 caps)
10. Veronica Madia (Colorno, 18 caps)
9. Sara Barattin (Arredissima Villorba, 94 caps)
8. Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Padova, 42 caps)
7. Giada Franco (Colorno , 16 caps)
6. Francesca Sgorbini (Romagnat, France, 4 caps)
5. Giordana Duca (Valsugana Padova, 17 caps)
4. Valeria Fedrighi (Stade Toulousain, France, 21 caps)
3. Lucia Gai (Valsugana Padova , 69 caps)
2. Melissa Bettoni (Stade Rennais, France, 57 caps)
1. Silvia Turani (Grenoble, France, 15 caps)

Bench:

16. Giulia Cerato (Valsugana Padova, 4 caps)
17. Erika Skofka (Valsugana Padova, 1 cap)
18. Michela Merlo (Kawasaki Calvisano, 7 caps)
19. Sara Tounesi (Romagnat, France, 15 caps)
20 Francesca Sberna (Kawasaki Calvisano, 5 caps)
21. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Valsugana Padova, 3 caps)
22. Aura Muzzo (Arredissima Villorba, 13 caps)
23. Benedetta Mancini (Unione Capitolina, 3 caps)

England

15. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps, 8 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Harlequins, 13 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (captain, Loughborough Lightning, 89 caps)
12. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps, 12 caps)
10. Katy Daley-Mclean (Sale Sharks, 114 caps)
9. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps, 9 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 53 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 35 caps)
4. Abbie Ward (Harlequins, 42 caps)
5. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
6. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 40 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 71 caps)
8. Sarah Beckett (Harlequins, 17 caps)

Bench:

16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 50 caps)
17. Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 17 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps, 55 caps)
20. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 37 caps)
21. Leanne Riley (Harlequins, 37 caps)
22. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
23. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 24 caps)

Officials

Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Hollie Davidson (SRU) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Table                       P   W   D   L   B     Pts

England                  5     5     0    0   4     27
France                    4     2     1     1    3     13
Ireland                   4     3     0    1    2      13
Italy                        4     1     0    3    0      4
Scotland                3     0     1    2     1      3
Wales                     4     0    0    4     1      1

Round 4

24 Oct 2020

Ireland Women v Italy Women – KO 18.30 BST
Energia Park, Referee: Hollie Davidson

25 Oct 2020

Scotland Women v France Women – KO 14.20 GMT
Scotstoun Stadium, Referee: Sara Cox

Round 5

1 Nov 2020

France Women v Ireland Women – KO 13.30 GMT
Stadium Lille Métropole, Referee: Nikki O’Donnell

1 Nov 2020

Wales Women V Scotland Women – KO 16:15 GMT
, Referee: Clara Munarini

1 Nov 2020

Italy Women v England Women – KO 17:00 GMT
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau

Round 3

6 Dec 2020

Italy Women v Scotland Women – KO 17:20 GMT
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Referee: Joy Neville

Round 4: weekend of 24 October

Scotland v France
Ireland v Italy

Round 5: weekend of 31 October

Wales v Scotland
Italy v England
France v Ireland

Round 3: weekend of 5 December

Italy v Scotland

Inevitably there are ifs and buts attached to these details.

No venues are confirmed yet, though France Rugby has confirmed that their game with Ireland will be played as planned at Lille. That positive news is tempered by the latest information about Covid-19 from the local health authority. Two weeks ago the number of confirmed cases increased in Lille’s department, Nord. The figures are not alarming, but remind us of the unpredictable course of events.

The bad luck that Italy and Scotland suffered in completing only two of the five matches means there is a horrible gap of five weeks between the last two rearranged rounds. That is less than satisfactory. It leaves the final results hanging on a single result, delays the award of the Championship and the naming of the Player of the Tournament.

It’s unfortunate too that inequality stalks this optimistic 6N statement. The men’s U20 championship will not be completed.

We can only hope that conditions improve across the board, so that all six nations feel totally confident of fulfilling these new arrangements.

Above all, the players need to have had equal chances of regaining match fitness over the next eleven weeks.

The French have announced their starting XV early, which shows a certain confidence:

15 Trémoulière
14 Boujard
13 Boudaud
12 Vernier
11 Banet
10 Bourdon
9 Sansus
1 Arricastre
2 Sochat
3 Deshayes
4 Forlani
5 Fall
6 Ferer
7 Hermet
8 Ménager R

16 Thomas
17 Traore
18 Joyeux
19 N’Diaye
20 Annery
21 Peyronnet
22 Kondé
23 Ménager M

In the backs Morgane Peyronnet pays for her misdirected kick at the eleventh hour in Exeter. Pauline Bourdon is preferred to her at No 10, which allows the dangerous Laure Sansus to continue at scrum-half. Cyrille Banet starts at No. 11 instead of the younger Ménager. Camille Boudaud teams up with Gabrielle Vernier in the centre.

Up front Annaëlle Deshayes switches across to tight-head to let Lise Arricastre in at loose-head. Agathe Sochat lines up between them rather than Caroline Thomas. But that presents a formidable front row.

One big surprise to English eyes is the name Safi N’Diaye appearing on the bench. The experienced Audrey Forlani reappears in her place in the second row alongside the highly promising Madoussou Fall. Annick Hayraud puts this choice down simply to competition. As elsewhere in the squad, the management had to do a lot of head-scratching to decide the optimum selections from a strong group. She admits she had half an eye on the likely opponents they would face, but assures her public that she has 30-35 players all quite capable of taking up the challenge.

Most of the big guns are there, the elder Ménager, Jessy Trémoulière, Caroline Boujard and the still young skipper, Gaëlle Hermet; but not Lénaïg Corson, nor any of the Sevens stars, who have obviously been firmly segregated off>.

The French problem will be to remain serene under the pressure of the string of defeats they have suffered at English hands. If they play to their strengths, they are quite capable of seeing them off, with a much wider margin than the cliff-hanging 18-17 of two years ago. But those memories will hang heavy over them and their supporters. If they play anything like as well as they did against New Zealand and the USA in California last summer, they could well upset England’s cherished dreams.

The Red Roses have the encouragement of a hard-working victory in Clermont last November. They had to rely on the pack for their two tries and Emily Scarratt for the remaining 10 points. No doubt they would be ready to accept a similar outcome this time round.

But for their future welfare, it’s vital that the backs turn possession into points against a quality side. They managed it supremely well in their most recent match against Italy. Now they must crack a much tougher nut.

There will be the usual vibrant crowd in attendance. French supporters must make sure their enthusiasm doesn’t weigh their own side down. Psychologically the game is there for England to take.

The two games that were completed on Sunday 17th March both had a significance way beyond the outcome of this year’s championship. But first, the games themselves:

Italy v France

Italy’s head coach, Andrea Di Giandomenico, was one of very few people who rated the French side the most complete team around, the toughest but also the most stimulating. They would provide the hardest match of the tournament.

This may have been a typical piece of managerial talking-up, but he obviously put quite other ideas into his players’ heads.

Now they have seen off France in Padua in Round 5, they have completed a decisive year. Finishing second is the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream.

Onwards and upwards.

Source: ©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama

Italy’s Veronica Madia kicks ahead (Photo: ©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama)

This is such a necessary advance both in the 6N and in women’s rugby in general. The big chiefs have held sway for far too long. Here is a major nation – in terms of population – coming of age in this still developing field.

They put a foot in the door with that first-ever win over Ireland, but the next two results – the failure to put Wales away (3-3) and the drubbing they took at Sandy Park, raised the doubts again. But they took France for what they were, a side desperately short of the great players who have brought them nearly to the top of the global tree. Quite apart from the missing 7s squad, in Padua they were shorn of N’Diaye, Corson, Argagnon (all injured) and Romane Ménager (red carded).

The game began with traditional roles reversed, Italy driving and reclaiming just as their opponents had expected to. Their pack had few problems at the set scrum, and they turned the tables at the line-out by exploiting French fallibilities. It was only the captain Hermet, now wearing No 8, who kept her side in the game in this department.

Sara Barattin of Italy (Photo: ©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama)

A line-out steal led to an early try for the Azzurre, rapturously greeted.

Five minutes before the pause for breath the French got their passes working, finally moving the ball out to Boujard on the right touchline. She took her chance well. But her good work was undone when a colleague moved carelessly offside in front of her posts. Sillari did the necessary, reaching 23 points for the tournament and more to come.

Half-time: 8-5

Italy were straight back on attack after the interval, making telling breaks and off-loads taking them close. More joy when a defensive scrum was disrupted and Cox awarded them a 5-metre penalty. Sillari’s second kick gave them a 6-point lead.

Until now Bourdon had been unable to put her mark on the game, but as she was switched to No 9, France’s work-rate increased. Even so, it was Italy who were looking more and more like a proper rugby team, working through the phases with a variety of plays. Confidence was surging through their veins. Pity the poor coach, though. Di Giandomenico was prowling far upstairs, watching on with an air of concern that belied his team’s optimism.

Source: ©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama

Beatrice Rigoni runs in to score a try (Photo:  ©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama)

Their passing movements were starting to spell danger for the visitors; Diallo paid the price for slapping a pass down – yellow. On 53 minutes came what might prove the decisive score through Bettoni, at the heart of another forward drive. Yet another longish TMO intervention caused palpitations, but the try stood. One more penalty in front of the posts made it 21-5.

A final cross-kick of the season from Imart to Jason was successfully caught, but she was bundled to the ground by two defenders. Two phases later the ball was in her hands again and she was clear. 21-12

A long break to the line by Rigoni was met with gales of cheers. She disappeared under a mass of happy team-mates. But what had happened to the French defensive line? To call it a dog-leg is an insult to dogs; 26-12. Surely Italy were home and dry now.

When yet another ball was ripped from a French grasp, it swung across field for a fitting conclusion. The skipper Manuela Furlan, burst through to crash over and gain her side an invaluable bonus point.

Joy unbounded in a corner of north-eastern Italy.

Result: Italy 31 France 12
Player of the Match: Giado Franco
Referee: Sara Cox

Teams:

Wales v Ireland

This was proof that determined defence will win tight matches. Wales were hanging on for long periods, indeed the opening score fell to Beibhinn Parsons on the left wing. But the other No 11 on the field, Jess Kavanagh showed her importance to the Welsh set-up by scoring a splendid reply at top pace.

Wales’ Jasmine Joyce celebrates scoring (Photo:  ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

Things looked bleak when Siwan Lillicrap was yellow-carded for a high tackle, but the remaining 14 tackled their hearts out till the skipper, Carys Phillips, turned the game on its head with a try just before half-time.

It needed more defiant defence to keep out the marauding Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, but the game swung violently away from the visitors as first Bethan Lewis then Jasmine Joyce crossed for decisive tries in the closing minutes – that last one a Joyce special.

Result: 24-5
Player of the Match: Alisha Butchers
Referee: Hollie Davidson

This result is as exhilarating for the Welsh as it is dispiriting for the guests. Both squads have been trying hard to unlock the secret of success this year. they have had good moments, but longer disturbing ones.

With this final result – not to mention the example of their menfolk at the Principality Stadium next door the day before – Rowland Phillips’ players can look towards sunnier uplands. This was only their fourth win over the Irish in twelve meetings.

Final Table:

Consequences

These two results are than usually significant. The win in Parma gives Italy their highest finish ever. They are indeed the coming nation. They have the inbuilt advantage over their Celtic rivals of population size: as long as the game can go on attracting young talent, the national squad will benefit.

Already they are finding big powerful forwards to lead the charge. They were dominant for most of the game. Behind them, Di Giandomenico needs to find adequate replacements for his experienced back line, who can’t go on for ever. Barratin, Sillari, Stefan and the new captain, Furlan, have graced the azure shirt for many years. If Italy are to maintain this advance, youngsters need to be fed into the system. It would help enormously if they could find more fixtures to play. Last autumn’s tests were a novelty that must be repeated.

For Ireland, the picture is reversed. With the 24-5 loss to Wales, three distinguished former Irish players, Fiona Steed, Jenny Murphy and Lynn Cantwell are depressed and perplexed beyond measure. The last time they lost to them was in 2011. What has gone wrong? Two 6N championships in the 2010s, a semi-final in the 2014 World Cup, a 4th place in a World Series tournament – and now they lie 5th out of 6. They are the exceptions in not having the lower age-group structure that is vital in ensuring progress through development. 15s rugby is one of the few sports in Ireland capable of competing on the world stage, but as a non-Olympic sport fails to get government backing. The national set-up needs pulling together.

More specifically Fiona Steed pointed to management errors: a hooker who had never played there before in a 15s game picked against Wales; a complete absence of second-row back-up on the bench throughout the 6N.

With the precise qualification details for the next World Cup still imprecise, Ireland faces the possibility of having to fight for the last European place against Italy, Scotland and Spain

Tail-piece

Yesterday came the news of Shade Munro’s resignation as head coach of Scotland. As we survey the Scots’ lack of success over many years, it might look as though he has failed in his objectives. But that would be a misplaced criticism. He has worked hard not only with his squad but also with the wider world of Scottish women’s rugby. He has helped to put in place initiatives that can only strengthen future performances.

Let’s hope the SRU can find a replacement of his quality to raise standards north of the border.

This Scottish side showed three changes: Maxwell in at No 9; Bonar replacing the concussed Rachel Malcolm on the flank, and Howatt into the second row.

Kelly Smith scores a try (Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

So now we know: the England management have a settled idea of the pecking order of their 35 contracted players. This was as full-blast a 23 as was reasonable. It showed five changes: Amy Cokayne returned after an injury made her unavailable for the Italy game. Both Mo Hunt (for Leanne Riley) and Vicky Fleetwood (for Marlie Packer) got their first start. The only exceptions made were to avoid excessive demands on individuals, hence Cath O’Donnell’s place on the bench. She had already played 304 of the completed 320 minutes of action.

The dozen contracted players not listed here (including several who are long-term injuries) will next have a chance to stake their claim on the yet-to-be-announced summer tour.

A prime target for the Red Roses was a second clean sheet. They leaked points in all the first three games, not many against Ireland and Wales, but still annoying. Against France they couldn’t maintain their first-half defensive wall right through to the end. France are a fine side, but four tries in the last 40 minutes wasn’t what the hosts or their supporters wanted.

Kelly Smith celebrates scoring a try with teammates (Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

The Game

Anyone arriving at Twickenham in good time for this match could be forgiven for thinking they’d accidentally slipped into the local cemetery. Quieter than the church mouse.

31-0 had somehow become 31-38 in front of 82,000 stupefied spectators. Englishmen were fighting for their sanity and future contracts.

Would England’s women lose their rudder like the men as they sought their second Grand Slam since 2012? No, all bets were off.

Who predicted that they would win 80-0? Modesty forbids. The result that had been on the cards all the series came to pass under rain-clouds and floodlights –  twelve unanswered tries and nine conversions.

Emily Scarratt scores a try despite the efforts of Chloe Rollie (Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

The blame tends to be levelled at the professional status that the winners enjoy. But that ignores the Scottish players who are under contract and the quality of the current English squad.

It’s as good as impossible to pick a player of the tournament from among them. Where do you start? In the front row, where the piano-shifters are transformed into players of virtuoso quality? In the second row, where Abbie Scott must be the greatest line-out exponent at work today, and Cath O’Donnell has sealed her place beside her with her non-stop activity? In the back row, where half-a-dozen players are lining up to compete for those three places in the next World Cup first-choice side? At half-back, where we have two outstanding performers at No 9 and a No 10 who commands every game she plays in? In the centre, where a player as influential as Rachael Burford has to fight for a starting position, so great in the competition? Or in the back three, where Sarah McKenna, Jess Breach and Kelly Smith have set new standards in pace, handling, footwork and finishing?

The pattern was set at the start of the contest. The Red Roses couldn’t match the men’s one-minute delay in scoring their first try against Scotland. It took Sarah Beckett all of three minutes to drive over the line. But at least her team didn’t then subside to an avalanche of tries against, as had happened an hour or two earlier.

A view of a scrum (Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

Five minutes in, Katy Daley-Mclean placed a kick through for Breach to ensure she’d score in each round of the series – a quite remarkable achievement. It mirrored Emily Scarratt’s kick through at Doncaster for Kelly Smith on the other wing. Not to be outdone, Scarratt later repeated her feat with another perfectly weighted chip. With it, Breach chalked up her ninth try of the tournament. In between Mo Hunt had posted her first try this year. So in 16 minutes England had amassed 26 points.

Smith had less ball come her way in this game, so she made sure she exploited a chance to slice in off her wing and score under the posts.

By now the forwards were thinking it must be their turn again; they hung on to the ball for Poppy Cleall to power over.

A very happy Sarah Bern (Photo: Bruce Perkins)

Scotland’s plight increased when Joy Neville showed a yellow card to the skipper, Lisa Thomson, for knocking an intercept on. This is one of the harsher penalties the Laws of the Game can mete out. Some think a penalty should be the worst that can befall the miscreant. Between her departure and the break Amy Cokayne was on the business end of a drive to the line.

Half-time 45-0

Burford came on to replace Harrison in a centre pairing that you might consider the ideal partnership.

Scotland had been enjoying quite a bit of possession. The trouble was they could make so little of it. The forwards drove against the proverbial white brick wall; the backs, seeing much less of the ball, only rarely found a way to gain territory and keep it. The kick ahead was their best bet, but England’s counter-attacking powers have been one of many trump cards this year.

Sarah Bern was the first to get her name on the scoreboards after the turn-round. Her contributions run the risk of becoming commonplace: they have been inspiring.

England players celebrate at the final whistle (Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

When Sarah Beckett, the young Player of the Match against Italy last week, was replaced by Marlie Packer, you saw the size of Scotland’s challenge. Sarah Hunter was the beneficiary of a Packer drive, to make the score 59-0.

When Emily Scarratt ran through a broken defence to get a deserved try, the Red Roses had equalled their final score of the equivalent match two years ago 64-0. And there were still 16 minutes to play.

In that time Cleall went over for her second, and O’Donnell got a deserved final touchdown wide on the right. By then, Daley-Mclean had been sent to the sin bin for not rolling away at the ruck. That at least evened up the yellow card-count.

Sadly for Scotland, it meant kicking duties were handed over to another promising kicker called Scarratt. She promptly nailed a magnificent conversion from wide right and was wreathed in smiles.

Final score: 80-0

Player of the Match: Emily Scarratt

Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland) 

Attendance: 13, 278 was claimed, though goodness knows how this figure was reached.

That leaves two more matches to be played out a day later. Then we will be able to take stock of the way the 2019 Six Nations has played out.

And what did that 2019 Lord Mayor’s Show put on parade? Either the wonderful display at Doncaster, where both England and France raised the game to new heights; or the more one-sided affair at Exeter, where you could say England women’s rugby came of age. When before have all four stands been filled for a 6N home match – three of them completely? Never?

For all the great games England women have engaged in, it’s doubtful if they have ever been so inspired by the crowd’s reaction and support as there . The final score, Vicky Fleetwood’s dive under the posts, was more or less willed by the fans.

So the inbuilt inequalities of the Six Nations continue.

Now imagine a magic wand casting a spell that allowed all six to operate as professional tomorrow. What would the outcome be then? You have to suspect that the table would read much the same as it does today (see below): England and France way out ahead; Italy still not quite able to achieve the lift-off they know is possible; and the three Celtic lands wishing they had a broader player-pool to support the efforts of their star performers.

The positive view is that playing standards are rising to admirable heights. Both the leading sides have immense power up front – allied to astonishing pace and handling skills such as their predecessors can rarely have known – plus decision-making and blinding speed out behind that make the game a joy to watch.

Kicking remains a relative weakness, though there are fine practitioners out of the hand and off the ground. Practice makes perfect.

But practice is at a premium for the amateur sides. They have a week to recover from the exertions of Round 4 and sort out weaknesses revealed. That magic wand is desperately needed.

At the wrong end of the table Scotland can feel hard done by. They have scored more points and tries than Wales; they have conceded fewer points. But those last crucial moments in the clash at Scotstoun did for them.

Simon Middleton was asked after the Italy game whether the Scotland fixture is the best possible curtain-call. He wisely said his team face five big challenges every year. It makes little difference what sequence they come in.

But the crowd at Twickenham is likely to be even bigger than at Sandy Park, and will certainly include far more people who need to be convinced of the validity of women’s rugby. If the Red Roses really paint the town red, the result could have the opposite effect from the one sought. The highest score ever in the competition is 89-0, between those two sides at the same location eight years ago.

The stats tell their own stark story: since the inception of the Six Nations in 2002 the two teams have met seventeen times; Scotland have yet to win (their last victory came in 1998). And in eight contests on English soil the combined points read: 456-26.

French tailpiece

A revealing detail from Marcoussis, the National Training Centre: before they flew out to Dublin the French squad trained with their Sevens sisters.

As every elite nation tries to work out the best possible use of the available talent in the two formats, the French may possibly be showing the way. While England (still 2^nd in world ranking) aim to walk off with the Grand Slam, their Sevens squad remains in 8^th place in the world. France’s positions are 3^rd (15s) and 5^th (7s). Which of them can claim bragging rights?

Fixtures

Saturday 16 March England v Scotland – Twickenham 19.30

Sunday 17 March Wales v Ireland – Arms Park 13.30

Sunday 17 March Italy v France – Padua 13.30

6N Table after 4 Rounds

                      P   W   D    L    B    Pts

England       4    4     0    0    4     20

France          4    3     0    1     4     16

Italy              4    2     1     1     2     12

Ireland         4    1     0     3    3        7

Wales           4    1      1     2    0      6

Scotland      4    0     0    4     1        1

The Red Roses travel to Cardiff Arms Park after defeating Ireland 51-7 and France 41-26 in rounds one and two of the competition respectively.

Harlequins Ladies second row Abbie Scott will captain the side with Sarah Hunter named on the bench. This is the second time the 25-year-old leads the Red Roses, having captained England in their 57-5 victory over USA in November.

Harlequins centre and 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Rachael Burford and Wasps winger Abby Dow both start, making their first appearances this Six Nations.

After being rested against France, Marlie Packer returns to the starting line-up alongside Sarah Beckett. They will play at openside flanker and blindside flanker respectively.

Also, making their first starts in this year’s Six Nations campaign are Gloucester-Hartpury scrum half Natasha Hunt, Saracens fly half Zoe Harrison and Wasps hooker Amy Cokayne.

In two positional changes, Poppy Cleall will play at No 8 while Jess Breach moves to the left wing.

Loughborough Lightning duo Jo Brown and Carys Williams come in as replacements alongside Wasps scrum half Claudia Macdonald.

Middleton said: “While we were extremely pleased with our first half performance against France we were disappointed with our defensive efforts in the second half. Defensively, we were nowhere near the level that we want to be at or that we expect of ourselves.

“This disappointment has served as a great motivator for us going into this weekend’s fixture against Wales which we know will be a huge occasion.

“Wales will undoubtedly be buoyed by having gone from conceding over 50 points in their opening game against France to conceding only three against a strong Italian side. This, combined with our upcoming game being their first home fixture of this year’s Six Nations, will give Wales great confidence going into the weekend.”

On the changes Middleton commented: “Having played a lot of minutes recently we have made the decision to move Sarah Hunter to the bench for this fixture.

“This provides Poppy Cleall with the opportunity to demonstrate her ability at No 8 as we continue to strengthen our depth within this area and then naturally for Sarah Beckett to show us what she can do on the blindside.

“Emily Scarratt played excellently for us against France but we are managing an injury that flared up during that game to ensure she is in a good place for Italy.

“We’re excited to see Rachael Burford come into the side for her first 2019 Six Nations appearance where she will bring with her a huge amount of experience, alongside the players who will make their first starts from the bench having waited patiently for this opportunity.”

The two sides last met in the 2018 Six Nations where England defeated Wales 52-0.

England match-day 23 against Wales

15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens Women, 19 caps)
14. Abby Dow (Wasps Ladies, 5 caps)
13. Rachael Burford (Harlequins Ladies, 81 caps)
12. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 10 caps)
11. Jess Breach (Harlequins Ladies, 4 caps)
10. Katy Daley-Mclean (Loughborough Lightning, 104 caps)
9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 43 caps)

1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies, 43 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Wasps Ladies, 43 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women, 22 caps)
4. Catherine O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 9 caps)
5. Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies, 33 caps)
6. Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, 3 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 62 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 26 caps)

16. Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries, 15 caps)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women, 7 caps)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Ladies, 7 caps)
19. Jo Brown (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
20. Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 110 caps)
21. Claudia Macdonald (Wasps Ladies, 3 caps)
22. Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
23. Emily Scott (Harlequins Ladies, 25 caps)

England Women 2019 Six Nations fixtures

Ireland 7-51 England
Friday 1 February, Energia Park Donnybrook, Dublin

England 41-26  France
Sunday 10 February, Castle Park, Doncaster

Wales v England
Sunday 24 February, KO 12.30pm GMT – live Sky Sports Arena and Mix
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

England v Italy
Saturday 9 March, KO 12.05pm GMT – live Sky Sports
Sandy Park, Exeter

England v Scotland
Saturday 16 March, KO 7.30pm (approx. – following the conclusion of the men’s game) – live Sky Sports
Twickenham Stadium

Courtesy of the RFU