Scrum Queens’ Ali Donnelly casts her eye over the runners and riders ahead of the 2016 Women’s Six Nations.
Ireland
The reigning champions have moved to a new home ground this year and the bigger surrounds of Donnybrook should prove a rightful fit for the side defending their title.
The challenge for Ireland this year will be managing the more difficult set of fixtures with arguably their toughest two games – against England and France – both away, two sides they have never beaten on their travels.
While Ireland will be without a handful of key backs like Jen Murphy and Allison Miller in the opening rounds, as they will be on sevens duty, head coach Tom Tierney has indicated they could well come back in later in the competition and that would be a real boost for the Irish.
Captained by the impressive Niamh Briggs, other key players to watch will include newcomer Ciara Cooney, who has been showing well at lock, and Ireland have the real benefit of two recent Test games, against England and Wales, as they work on building new combinations and building depth. Players to watch: Ciara Cooney is a newcomer in the pack who looks a natural in the green shirt while Connacht’s Sene Naoupu has all the skills to help Ireland’s backs light up the Championship.
France
After coming agonisingly close to winning the title last season – losing out on points difference to Ireland, who they beat away from home, France will surely be one of the tournament favourites this time around.
With both the Irish and English on home soil, if they can start well against Italy this weekend, Gaelle Mignot’s team will be full of confidence.
Like Ireland and England, France will lose some of their sevens players to the World Series this season but have the benefit of huge depth among their youth ranks and the reliable boot of Jessy Tremoliere means the French have a powerful points scoring weapon.
Add to that the powerful French pack, who on their day rival the best in the world, and it will be hard to see a scenario in which France are not in the running on the final day, just like last year. What they need to avoid are the kind of stumbles that saw them lose away to Italy last season. Players to watch: The youngster Romane Menager has been in flying form in the back row and she has the skillset of a centre and while captain Gaelle Mignot is no new name, she has the power to lift France to new heights when she is on form in the front row.
Italy
Italy have been one of the most improved sides in the world over the last few seasons and in finishing third last season, ahead of World Champions England, Andrea di Giandomenico’s team are proving to everyone that they are no longer the basement girls of the Championship.
Thanks to last season’s results, Italy are currently ranked ahead of Wales and Scotland in the battle between the three teams to grab the final two World Cup spots available through the Championship, and having missed out in 2014 they will be desperate to secure their place in the coming weeks.
They have a tougher schedule than a year ago with France, Ireland and Wales all away but they will hardly be looking beyond the French in the opening round with French skipper Gaelle Mignot saying this week that her side would indeed be out for revenge after losing to the Italians last season.
Italy’s record on the road isn’t consistent – they won away in Wales 2010 in their only every away Six Nations win apart from in Scotland and they go into the competition without the benefit of any warm-up matches.
But the Italians have proved they can beat anyone on their day – and there are some new faces to watch with four uncapped players in the squad for the opening weeks – fly half Silvia Folli, props Gaia Giacomoli and Diletta Nicoletti, and second row Elisa Pillotti Players to watch: The new captain Sara Barratin is always a key player at scrum-half and she will lead by example this season while a new face to watch is Frederica Cippola, who has impressed on the sevens circuit.
England
A fourth placed finish last year will have been a bitterly disappointing return for England just months after they lifted the World Cup and Sarah Hunter’s team will be desperate to grab silverware.
England haven’t won the Six Nations since 2012 after years of dominance and with the next World Cup just a year away, Simon Middleton’s charges could sorely do with returning to winning ways as they build up to defend their title in Ireland next summer.
First things first though and England will have an away game with Scotland to manoeuvre, something they should manage on the opening weekend and there are big games to look forward to at home – with Ireland travelling to Twickenham and Wales to The Stoop, venues that have served them well in recent seasons.
The domestic season in England ended a few weeks ago with a big crowd turning to to see Richmond beat Saracens and Simon Middleton will certainly have great depth to choose from this season, especially up front. Players to watch: Hannah Gallagher is now a key player in England’s back row and filling the famous number seven shirt means her performances are vital for her team while in the backs Lauren Cattell has gone well for Saracens and will be looking to take her form into the test arena.
Wales
An inconsistent 2014 will have frustrated Wales coach Rhys Edwards, who saw his side beat England and Scotland but lose their other three games and he will be looking for much improved consistency this time around as his team seek to secure their World Cup berth.
The Welsh have some exciting talent coming through their ranks and Robyn Wilkins is just one young name to watch this season as she has begun to find her feet at test level.
Home games against Scotland, France and Italy will give the side, captained by the experience Rachel Taylor, confidence that they can pick up some wins under their belts on home soil and there will be tough tests on the road against the Irish and English.
Wales beat Ireland in a warm-up test match in recent weeks though so neither trip will hold much fear. If Wales can start well this weekend against Ireland – anything is possible. Players to watch: We’ve mentioned Robyn Wikins and her development is key to the team while alongside Rachel Taylor in the back row Shona Powell-Hughes has the power to make a huge difference in the Welsh pack
Scotland
Off the pitch things are looking up for Scotland with the experienced coach Shade Munro coming on board last year and his arrival is already being said to have made a huge improvement to Scotland’s skillset.
But after some difficult years in this Championship, Scotland’s development will continue to be a work in progress and the tournament is likely to be a real challenge once again as the union continues to make the strides off the pitch that in years to come will certainly improve the Scottish team.
Wins may prove difficult to come by, especially given their home games are against powerhouses England and France.
But Munro and his side will have different aims this season and will surely measure success by their ability to be much more competitive and show progress for the future. Jade Konkel is a key player to watch with the back row being a match for anyone. Players to watch: While Konkel has been named already, there is a huge job on the hands of new captain Lisa Martin, the stand-off who will have to fire up her side for some tough matches.
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