The 2020 Women’s Six Nations is now just around the corner, but sides have one last block of fixtures ahead with which to pinpoint their final preparations as the Autumn internationals approach.
There is a busy November awaiting all six outfits, Wales leading the way with five matches spanning from November 3 to the 30.
England and France face off in a double header as the sides to have traded the Six Nations title for the past four years, while both Scotland and Italy welcome Japan.
So, with a jam-packed month of rugby ahead, here’s a full run-down of the schedule.
England
The reigning Grand Slam champions face a trio of inter-competition clashes, with back-to-back matches against France followed up with the visit of Italy.
Simon Middleton’s side head to the Stade Marcel-Michelin this weekend, where they will look to get their first win on French soil since 2012, before heading to Sandy Park – the scene of England’s 55-0 win over Italy earlier this year, a match that saw record attendances pile to Exeter Chiefs’ stadium – for the rematch.
They will then welcome the Italian XV to Goldington Road to round off their internationals on 23 November.
Boosted by the inclusion of newly-crowned World Player of the Year Emily Scarratt, the Red Rose will certainly look to make a statement just months out of the defence of their crown.
England women fixtures:
France v England, 13:10 GMT Saturday 9 November, Stade Marcel-Michelin
England v France, 13:10 Saturday 16 November, Sandy Park
England v Italy, 15:00 Saturday 23 November, Goldington Road
You can buy tickets here and here
France
Despite losing out on the Six Nations title earlier this year, France are a team in form, having notched up an unprecedented second win on the bounce against New Zealand during the summer’s Super Series.
Eventually finishing third in the competition – behind winners the Black Ferns and England – they proved that they can raise their game against anyone with a thrilling 25-16 win over the world champions.
They begin their November action with England’s visit, and will be hopeful of maintaining a proud home record having only lost on home soil once since 2014.
And Gaelle Hermet’s side are fresh from a joint training camp with Ireland, where competition was rife as Les Bleues shaped up for their fixtures in style.
France women fixtures:
France v England, 13:10 GMT Saturday 9 November, Stade Marcel-Michelin
England v France, 13:10 Saturday 16 November, Sandy Park
You can buy tickets here and here
Ireland
With just one game on the books for Ireland this month, Adam Griggs has opted to keep things largely in house as they prepare for next year’s Championship.
Wales will make the short trip across the Irish Sea on Sunday 10 November for their only competitive clash, with the UCD Bowl playing host to proceedings in Dublin.
Despite being downed 24-5 by their upcoming opponents in this year’s Women’s Six Nations, Griggs’ outfit will likely draw from their 35-12 triumph over the Welsh on home grass back in 2018, hoping to stand in the best of stead in the wake of their collaborative French training camp.
Ireland women fixtures:
Ireland v Wales, 13:00 Sunday 10 November, UCD Bowl
You can buy tickets here
Wales
With no less than five matches this month, Wales are by far the busiest of the Six Nations sides in November.
After defeat to Spain out in Madrid, they will look to put things right as they head to Ireland this weekend.
A trip to Scotland then follows, before a friendly against Crawshays – a newly-introduced preparatory side that will look to give Welsh players a taste of international experience – and the visit of the Barbarians.
Naming 14 uncapped players in his squad, the key aim for Rowland Phillips is clearly development as he looks to integrate a new group of talent into the team ahead of next year’s Six Nations.
Wales women fixtures:
Ireland v Wales, 13:00 Sunday 10 November, UCD Bowl
Scotland v Wales, 15:10 Sunday 17 November, Scotstoun Stadium
Crawshays v Wales, 14:30 Saturday 23 November, Eugene Cross Park
Wales v Barbarians 11:45 Saturday 30 November, Principality Stadium
You can buy tickets here, here and here
Scotland
Another side who have already been in action this autumn are Scotland, who emphatically dispatched South Africa twice on their recent tour.
Following on from a sixth-placed finish at this year’s Women’s Six Nations, upcoming fixtures against Wales and Japan offer Philip Doyle’s side a chance to build up a head of steam as they look to better that figure early next year.
While Scotland last met Wales when they were edged out by a last-minute try to lose 15-10 earlier this year, the Scotstoun clash against Japan will be the first meeting between the two nations.
Scotland women fixtures:
Scotland v Wales, 15:10 Sunday 17 November, Scotstoun Stadium
Scotland v Japan, 13:00 Sunday 24 November, Scotstoun Stadium
You can buy tickets here
Italy
Having impressed at this year’s Women’s Six Nations as they usurped France for a second-place finish behind England, beating the French along the way, a pair of matches lie in wait as they look to once again put their credentials on show.
Having last faced Japan in 2002 – a match that they won 30-3 – they will welcome the Cherry Blossoms to L’Aquila for a long-overdue second meeting.
They will then look to do something that they have never done before when they travel to England the following weekend, looking for their first ever win over the Red Rose in what will be their 15th attempt.
Italy v Japan, 14:30 ITA Saturday 16 November, Stadio Tommaso Fattori
England v Italy, 15:00 Saturday 23 November, Goldington Road
You can buy tickets here and here
