Women's Six Nations so far: The Red Roses are shining but it's not all rosy

This year’s Women’s Six Nations feels different. Probably because it is.

Like ripples on the most exciting pond in sport, the excitement is spreading – a proliferating buzz which has seen more column inches, chatter, and bums on seats than ever before.

I talk about the competition every day – but no longer just to colleagues as obsessed with the game as I am. Taxi drivers chat earnestly about how good the Red Roses are, my dad’s across matches I’m not covering (this is a first), and I’ve several groups of friends going to their first ever women’s rugby match at the end of the month: thrilled to be helping shatter a world record – and to be treating themselves to a day at Twickenham such good value it feels fraudulent.

You can’t move on social media for content – it’s like every timeline has metamorphosised into that purple ball pit from the launch day, and we’re all merrily thrashing about inside – and the tournament’s presence on the news, the radio, and in various publications is notable. The day I write this, I sit opposite an advert for Le Crunch on Le District Line, and Zoe Aldcroft, Claudia MacDonald, and Sadiya Kabeya dare me not to ‘rock’ HQ with them on April 29th.

It’s bigger and better than ever, but with some home comforts, too: some of the elements we’ve loved for years are still clearly visible beneath the glow-up. Rachel Malcolm still fights as though every game is her last, and you can’t take your eyes off her pre-match passion and pride. Sarah Bern still cackles at the textbook definition of a prop as she parkours her way downfield, and it just never occurs to either Abby Dow or Jess Breach that someone might be able to stop them, ball in hand. Beatrice Rigoni still sprinkles proceedings with rugby popping candy – moments of quirkiness which crackle in the consciousness for days – and no one’s scrubbed the Teflon off Chloe Rollie yet. The little boys and girls continue to stick around for hours for selfies and autographs, the Welsh are niggly and the Italians helter skelter, and everyone listens to Emily Scarratt in studio and thinks ‘isn’t it a shame that she can’t play and commentate at the same time?’

Right. Tub thump done: let’s get into what we’ve learned. With 480 minutes played, and a fallow week ahead to digest it all – here are three things which have stood out.

The kids are alright
Sarah Hunter aside, it’s the youngsters dominating headlines this year. The Celtic Challenge might have flown under the radar, but clearly had merit – and deserves to become a regular fixture. Just look at Scotland’s Thistles: coached by the brilliant Claire Cruikshank and Chris Laidlaw, improving in time for each of their return matches against the Welsh XV and Combined Provinces, and unearthing some gems.

Fran McGhie has rightfully burst onto the scene, Meryl Smith’s confidence has visibly blossomed for her time skippering on the international stage, and – whether or not we see them this tournament – Erinn Foley, Emma Turner, Rhea Clarke, and Holly McIntyre have all found themselves in a senior Six Nations training environment off the back of it. Scotland are developing unprecedented depth – Elliann Clarke, Anne Young, Evie Gallagher, and Emma Orr are huge talents, and looking increasingly comfortable at this level – which Easson’s side need, because they’ve felt the absence of Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, and Jade Konkel-Roberts keenly. The results haven’t been there, but potent foundations are being laid.

Then there’s the new face of the entire Women’s Six Nations, Sisilia Tuipulotu – whose performances have been nothing short of jaw dropping. There’s a wonderful disconnect between the way she plays (I’d honestly rather see a polar bear running at me than the 19-year-old) and her personality off-field: so unassuming and humble that the vast majority of the BBC’s feature on her had to be interviews with other, chattier, people. It would be wonderful to see similar faith soon paid in Lleucu George, who is too talented not to get a good run-out this campaign. Perhaps a start in Parma…

??????? @WelshRugbyUnion Head Coach, Ioan Cunningham heaped praise on the pack, including Sisilia Tuipulotu, for their tireless work after huge wins against Ireland and Scotland ?#TikTokW6N #OurCharge

— Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 4, 2023

This is a Welsh team with so much potential for growth, too: Hannah Jones is the youngest captain in the tournament, Alex Callender is only 22 (coincidentally, also her score out of ten for level of irritant on the pitch), and Keira Bevan hit her 50th cap at the weekend at the tender age of 25. Throw in the ever-rising stars of Les Bleues’ Emilie Boulard, Charlotte Escudero, and Carla Arbez – and you get a glimpse of a generation of talent who’ll light up the 2025 World Cup and beyond.

It’s all coming up Roses
You can make a really, seriously good England starting XV with the list of players unavailable for selection right now – minus one winger. Given that they almost won a World Cup final with that exact line up, these 14 absent Roses would probably still conquer the Six Nations. And, yet, the squad actually in action are flying – and they’ll very probably win the whole thing, whilst happily blooding the next crop.

Six debuts and counting, and some of their established but younger players really bedding in. Tatyana Heard and Kabeya are rightful, impressive, starters now – and Holly Aitchison looks more comfortable at ten by the minute. You can read our analysis of how the fly-half has unlocked England’s attack in rounds 1 and 2 here.

Marlie Packer’s not skipped a beat as captain, MacDonald’s my early pick for Player of the Tournament (if that knock proves surmountable), and it was special seeing Breach back scoring for fun on Saturday – after what must have been a confidence-testing World Cup. Their already fathomless depth only deepens, and their new head coach is going to have to omit some phenomenal athletes from their initial squad.

It’s not all rosy
There’s so much to love about this year’s Six Nations, but we’re nowhere near ‘job done’ – and that also needs acknowledging.

For one thing – there’s the plight of Ireland: a young and inexperienced side whose hustle and talent is obvious, but who are well out of their depth. Missing their Sevens stars, not yet seeing the benefits of their contracts, and without any of the invaluable experience the other nations gained at the World Cup. They’re headed for the wooden spoon, and I just hope the individuals involved emerge from this competition supported and motivated to go again.

Some interesting stats from the weekend's games. Ireland had more possession, territory & carries than France at the weekend, which is perhaps a reminder that defence (still) wins games, & Ireland with 43 missed tackles were never likely to get much out of it …

— Scrumqueens – Women’s Rugby (@ScrumQueens) April 2, 2023

Their scoreline against England will be stark, but everyone’s will be (apart from France’s) – and that’s simultaneously the problem and the solution. In the last ten Six Nations matches the Roses have played, just one side has put more than a single try on them – which is both an objectively bad look for any tournament, and the requisite motivation for other unions to step up: to chase the excellence of the RFU’s history makers. We’re seeing it already – just look at Wales, listen to Malcolm discuss how she’s getting more out of training than ever before, or marvel at the conditioning of many of the athletes – but we’re still a long way off the level of competitiveness required.

Every metric is improving – from gate numbers to digital engagement, viewing figures to contracts signed, and kick distances to merchandise sales – but there’s miles to go, and long term success will only be secured once it’s a tournament with genuine jeopardy. Once the Wikipedia section on past winners stops looking like a string of St George’s bunting – we’ll know it’s there: a Six Nations which isn’t settled by the same fixture each year.

What’s inarguable is that the only trajectory steeper than the price of Tuipulotu in the fantasy game is that of the Women’s Six Nations itself – and that’s thrilling. This year feels different: bigger, better, and deserving of all the broken records and fanfare. If the rest of April feels like swimming around in a purple, heavily-branded, launch day gimmick – then I’m here for it.

Hop right in: the ball pit’s fine.