This year’s action will be held in Wales for the first time as Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM hosts three matchdays on 29 March, 2 April and 6 April.
The festival is a key step on the development pathway for the brightest up and coming talents and provides an opportunity for coaches, analysts and match officials as well as players to develop their games
HOW IT WORKS
To promote an appropriate and competitive playing environment, teams will each play four 35-minute fixtures across the first two match days followed by one full 70-minute fixture on the final match day.
This format allows each team to play one another, every player to start at least one fixture and each Union to benchmark the progress of their female athletes across the competitive spectrum.
The 70-minute matches on Matchday 3 begin with France and England, before Wales take on Italy. The day concludes with Scotland's clash against Ireland.
The commitment from Six Nations Rugby to support the development of women’s rugby also includes the next generation of coaches and match officials.
THE CONTENDERS
The women’s event sees France the team to beat after their perfect five from five record last year.
Both England and Les Bleuettes won their first four games of the 2023 tournament but France came out on top at Wellington College to take a convincing 57-10 win at the festival’s climax.
Hosts Wales recorded two wins last year and will be hoping home soil can provide a further boost after a close 19-17 triumph over Ireland on Matchday 3.
Italy won the hearts of many on Matchday 2 when they secured their first win of the competition with a 7-0 victory against Wales.
Since last year, Nicole Flynn has earned her first call-up to Scotland’s senior squad for the Guiness Women’s Six Nations.
Once again, the Six Nations Under-18 Women’s Festival 2024 promises to provide a stepping stone for the next generation of international talent.
WHERE TO WATCH
Every game will be live streamed across both Men’s and Women’s Festivals. Fans will be able to watch all the action on the Six Nations Under-20s YouTube channel.
Spectators will also be able to attend the matchdays at Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM. Tickets can be purchased here.
WHAT THEY SAID
Ireland head coach, Matt Gill: “I’m really looking forward to continuing our Irish U-18 Women’s Six Nations preparations and getting our camps underway.
“I’m excited to work with Sana, and our management team, and to work with this incredibly talented group of players.”
Wales head coach, Siwan Lillicrap: “The hard work that the girls have put in over the season has paid off with their selection.
“The important part is yet to come and hopefully this exciting opportunity they have is the start of their journey in the Welsh Pathway.
“I hope that their experience in the Welsh Shirt is one to remember and leaves them hungry for more.”
Scotland head coach, Duncan Harrison: “I’m genuinely excited about our team’s composition after an exciting Girls Regional Game Series and it is great to bring players from the Scottish Qualified programme into the fold.
“The U18 Six Nations offers each squad member a valuable chance to engage in competitive play, fostering growth and skill development.
“Reflecting on last year’s festival, we gained invaluable insights, positioning us even stronger this time.”
England head coach, James Cooper: "It was an incredibly difficult challenge to refine the squad to its final iteration, but we are in no doubt of the capable group we now possess.
"We expect our players to be daring in their approach to these fixtures and deadly in their execution – in attack, defence and the set-piece.
"We were assured in our performances in 2023, but this is largely a refreshed group with what we believe is the correct balance of experience to go even better this year.”
SQUADS
ENGLAND : Kaya Acton, Ashton Adcock, Jasmine Adonri, Daisy Aspinall, Iley Bailey, Grace Banks, Tamsin Baynes, Gabriella Brown, Molly Bunker, Bethan Candlin, Jessica Doyle, Natalee Evans, Zara Green, Evie Haskell, Becca Jackson, Aisha Jah, Hayley Jones, Emily Lunn, Haineala Lutui, Sarah Parry, Heidi Pashaei Tarighoun, Abigail Pritchard, Lucy Simpson, Solana Shaw de Leon, Isabel van der Straaten, Joanne Vosakiwaiwai, Ellie Wilson, Ruby Winstanley
FRANCE : Eva Mazzochi, Léa Guiton, Kiara Vili, Marine Kazmierczak-Douet, Zarasoa Macquart, Anais Peralez, Lena Lamour, Lise Geneste, Perrine Fagnen, Charlie Gauyat, Kalea Berroyer, Aelig Tregouet, Faustine Piscicelli, Margot Sibien, Emy Baudru, Many Barone, Agnes Nau, Elina Folituu, Mankla Dosso, Anna Daniel, Cassandra Leteur, Eva Tougne, Iness Zeze, Maiana Gony, Cherrazade Saiki, Jade Gamon, Mariama Tandiang, Maud Barcelot
IRELAND : Abby Healy, Ailish Quinn, Alma Atagamen, Aoibheann McGrath, Aoife Corcoran, Ava O’Malley, Bronagh Boggan, Caitriona Finn, Cara McLean, Carla Cloney, Clara Dunne, Emily Foley, Emma Brogan, Emma Jane Wilson, Erin McConalogue, Grainne Moran, Jemima Adams Verling, Kate Noons, Leah Irwin, Mia Hennelly, Rebecca Brennan, Sadhbh Wells, Sarah Purcell, Siofra Hession, Sophie Cullen, Sophie McAllister
ITALY : Sara Maria Affinito Giulia, Mary Akosa, Alice Angelucci, Alice Antonazzo, Alia Antonietta Bitonci, Alessia Cagnotto, Beatrice Candela, Valentina Carciani, Elisa Cecati, Chiara Cheli, Chiara Colella, Martina Compare, Rita Da Lio, Carola Fogarin, Laura Lina Foscato, Vittoria Francolini, Angelica Gazzi, Elena Gorgetti, Kristin Camilla Kone, Ester Lepri, Asia Liccardo, Antonella Maione, Anita Pietrobon, Emma Rappo, Ania Rosini, Cecilia Stafoggia, Giulia Turatto, Vittoria Zeni
SCOTLAND : Aisla Merryweather, Daisy Morrison, Ella Rae, Ella Williams, Ellie Moffat, Emily Coubrough, Emily Love, Emily Norval, Faye Sutherland, Gemma Thomson, Georgie Baxter, Hannah Smyth, Hollie Howland, Holly Wilson, Imogen Spence, Isla Pomroy, Josie Foubister, Lisa Brown, Louise Taperell, Megan Riach, Mia Ryrie, Niamh MacGregor, Poppy Mellanby, Rianna Darroch, Scarlet Down, Sophie Price, Talei Tawake, Tamzin Rosie
WALES : Jorja Aiono, Angel Band, Lola Bogerd-Mitchell, Robyn Davies, Milly Geering, Evie Hill, Crystal James, Elan Jones, Tia Jones, Branwen Metcalfe, Alaw Pyrs, Tilly Vucaj, Begw Ffransis Roberts, Evie Gill, Stella Orrin, Shannelle Williams, Ffion Davies, Rhiannon Griffin,Katie Johnson, Saran Jones, Hannah Lane, Seren Lockwood, Isla McMullen, Hanna Tudor, Hanna Marshall Marnie-Rae George, Nia Fajeyisan, Lily Hawkins
