The 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship was the 20th series of the Women's Six Nations Championship, an annual women's rugby union competition featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The format for the 2021 tournament was changed from the traditional eight-week round-robin format to a four-week format consisting of two pools of three teams with a final, inspired by the format of the Autumn Nations Cup, which replaced the 2020 Autumn Internationals. The tournament was held from 3 to 24 April 2021.
As not all teams played each other, the Grand Slam and Triple Crown were not contested.
Background and format Traditionally, the Women's Six Nations Championship is run concurrently with the men's tournament. However, in January 2021, the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused travel and time restrictions issues due to qualification of the 2021 Rugby World Cup needing to be completed before the tournament starting in September. Most of the players have jobs outside of rugby, and some players are key workers. This, combined with national lockdowns and the need for COVID-19 testing, made it more difficult to schedule the matches during the pandemic.
On 3 February, it was announced that the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship would take place between 3 and 25 April, in a condensed format. The six teams were split into two pools of three teams. Each team played the other two teams in their pool, with one match at home and one away. Each team had one bye weekend. The winners of the two pools met in the final, as did the two second and third-placed teams from each pool. The team in Pool A hosted regardless of who performed better in their pool, and the winner of the play-off between the two first-ranked sides won the tournament. The format is similar to the 2020 men's Autumn Nations Cup. Provisional fixture lists were also announced on 3 February, and the venues and kick-off times were announced on 23 March.
Pool stage Pool A PositionNationMatchesPointsTriesBonuspointsTablepointsPlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstDiffForAgainst1220011913+1061712010221014487–43711105320023093–63315000
Fixtures
Team details FB 15Sarah McKennaRW 14Lydia Thompson OC 13Emily Scarratt (c) IC 12Lagi TuimaLW 11Jess BreachFH 10Helena RowlandSH 9 Leanne Riley N8 8 Poppy Cleall OF 7 Marlie Packer BF 6 Zoe AldcroftRL 5 Catherine O'Donnell LL 4 Abbie WardTP 3 Bryony Cleall HK 2 Lark Davies LP 1 Victoria Cornborough Replacements:HK 16Amy Cokayne PR 17Detysha Harper PR 18Shaunagh Brown LK 19Harriet Millar-Mills FL 20Victoria Fleetwood SH 21Claudia MacDonald FH 22Megan Jones FB 23Ellie Kildunne Coach:Simon Middleton FB 15Chloe RollieRW 14Rachel Shankland OC 13Hannah SmithIC 12Lisa Thomson LW 11Megan GaffneyFH 10Helen NelsonSH 9 Mairi McDonald N8 8 Siobhan CattiganOF 7 Rachel McLachlanBF 6 Rachel Malcolm (c) RL 5 Louise McMillan LL 4 Emma WassellTP 3 Christine Belisle HK 2 Lana SkeldonLP 1 Leah Bartlett Replacements:HK 16Molly Wright PR 17Panashe Muzambe PR 18Lisa Cockburn LK 19Evie Gallagher FL 20Jodie RettieSH 21Jenny Maxwell FH 22Sarah LawWG 23Liz Musgrove Coach:Bryan Easson Player of the Match: Poppy Cleall (England) Touch judges: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy) Maria Pacifico (Italy) Television match official: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Team details FB 15Manuela Furlan (c)RW 14Aura Muzzo OC 13Michela SillariIC 12Beatrice Rigoni LW 11Maria MagattiFH 10Veronica MadiaSH 9 Sara Barattin N8 8 Elisa GiordanoOF 7 Giada Franco BF 6 Ilaria Arrighetti RL 5 Giordana DucaLL 4 Valeria Fedrighi TP 3 Lucia GaiHK 2 Lucia Cammarano LP 1 Erika Skofca Replacements:HK 16Melissa Bettoni PR 17Gaia Maris PR 18Sara TounesiLK 19Isabella Locatelli FL 20Beatrice Veronese FL 21Francesca Sgorbini SH 22Sofia Stefan CE 23Alyssa D'Incà Coach:Andrea di Giandomenico FB 15Ellie KildunneRW 14Jess Breach OC 13Emily Scarratt IC 12Megan Jones LW 11Abigail DowFH 10Helena RowlandSH 9 Leanne Riley N8 8 Sarah Hunter (c) OF 7 Victoria FleetwoodBF 6 Alex MatthewsRL 5 Catherine O'Donnell LL 4 Zoe AldcroftTP 3 Shaunagh Brown HK 2 Amy Cokayne LP 1 Victoria Cornborough Replacements:HK 16Lark Davies PR 17Hannah Botterman PR 18Bryony Cleall LK 19Harriet Millar-Mills FL 20Poppy Cleall SH 21Claudia MacDonald FH 22Zoe Harrison FB 23Sarah McKenna Coach:Simon Middleton Player of the Match: Megan Jones (England) Touch judges: Doriane Domenjo (France) Francesca Martin (Wales) Television match official: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Team details FB 15Chloe RollieRW 14Liz Musgrove OC 13Lisa ThomsonIC 12Helen Nelson (c)LW 11Megan GaffneyFH 10Sarah Law SH 9 Mairi McDonald N8 8 Siobhan CattiganOF 7 Rachel McLachlanBF 6 Evie GallagherRL 5 Louise McMillanLL 4 Emma WassellTP 3 Megan Kennedy HK 2 Lana SkeldonLP 1 Leah Bartlett Replacements:HK 16Jodie RettiePR 17Lisa Cockburn PR 18Panashe MuzambeLK 19Christine Belisle FL 20Nicola HowatSH 21Jenny Maxwell CE 22Evie Wills WG 23Coreen Grant Coach:Bryan Easson FB 15Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi RW 14Manuela Furlan (c)OC 13Michela SillariIC 12Beatrice RigoniLW 11Maria MagattiFH 10Veronica MadiaSH 9 Sara Barattin N8 8 Elisa GiordanoOF 7 Lucia Cammarano BF 6 Ilaria ArrighettiRL 5 Giordana Duca LL 4 Valeria Fedrighi TP 3 Lucia Gai HK 2 Melissa Bettoni LP 1 Erika Skofca Replacements:HK 16Silvia Turani PR 17Gaia Maris PR 18Sara Tounesi LK 19Isabella Locatelli FL 20Beatrice Veronese FL 21Francesca Sgorbini SH 22Sofia Stefan WG 23Aura Muzzo Coach:Andrea di Giandomenico Player of the Match: Beatrice Rigoni (Italy) Touch judges: Aurélie Groizeleau (France) Doriane Domenjo (France) Television match official: Ian Tempest (England)
Pool B PositionNationMatchesPointsTriesBonuspointsTablepointsPlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstDiffForAgainst1220010915+941622010221016056+49810532002098–98015000
Fixtures
Team details FB 15Emilie BoulardRW 14Caroline BoujardOC 13Maëlle FiloponIC 12Gabrielle VernierLW 11Marine Ménager FH 10Morgane Peyronnet SH 9 Pauline Bourdon N8 8 Emeline GrosOF 7 Gaëlle Hermet (c)BF 6 Céline Ferer RL 5 Madoussou Fall LL 4 Coumba DialloTP 3 Clara Joyeux HK 2 Agathe Sochat LP 1 Annaëlle Deshayes Replacements:HK 16Laure Touyé PR 17Arkya Ait Lahbib PR 18Diha Maylïs Traoré LK 19Safi N'Diaye FL 20Marjorie Mayans SH 21Laure Sansus FH 22Camille Imart FB 23Jessy Tremouliere Coach:Annick Hayraud FB 15Robyn WilkinsRW 14Lisa Neumann OC 13Hannah JonesIC 12Kerin Lake LW 11Jasmine JoyceFH 10Elinor SnowsillSH 9 Jessica Roberts N8 8 Siwan Lillicrap (c) OF 7 Manon JohnesBF 6 Georgia Evans RL 5 Teleri Wyn Davies LL 4 Gwen CrabbTP 3 Donna Rose HK 2 Kelsey JonesLP 1 Caryl Thomas Replacements:HK 16Robyn LockPR 17Cara Hope PR 18Cerys Hale FL 19Bethan Dainton LK 20Natalia John SH 21Megan Davies CE 22Gemma Rowland CE 23Courtney Keight Coach:Warren Abrahams Player of the Match: Gabrielle Vernier (France) Touch judges: Hollie Davidson (Scotland) Katherine Ritchie (England) Television match official: Stefano Penne (Italy)
Team details FB 15Robyn WilkinsRW 14Lisa NeumannOC 13Hannah JonesIC 12Kerin Lake LW 11Courtney Keight FH 10Elinor SnowsillSH 9 Jessica Roberts N8 8 Siwan Lillicrap (c) OF 7 Manon Johnes BF 6 Georgia EvansRL 5 Gwen CrabbLL 4 Natalia John TP 3 Cerys Hale HK 2 Kelsey Jones LP 1 Cara Hope Replacements:HK 16Molly Kelly PR 17Caryl Thomas PR 18Donna Rose LK 19Teleri Wyn Davies FL 20Bethan Dainton SH 21Megan Davies CE 22Niamh Terry WG 23Caitlin Lewis Coach:Warren Abrahams FB 15Eimear Considine RW 14Lauren Delaney OC 13Eve HigginsIC 12Sene NaoupuLW 11Beibhinn ParsonsFH 10Hannah TyrrellSH 9 Kathryn Dane N8 8 Ciara Griffin (c) OF 7 Claire MolloyBF 6 Dorothy WallRL 5 Nicola Fryday LL 4 Aoife McDermottTP 3 Linda Djougang HK 2 Cliodhna Moloney LP 1 Lindsay Peat Replacements:HK 16Neve Jones PR 17Katie O'Dwyer PR 18Laura Feely LK 19Brittany Hogan FL 20Hannah O'Connor SH 21Emily Lane CE 22Stacey Flood WG 23Enya Breen Coach:Adam Griggs Player of the Match: Hannah Tyrrell (Ireland) Touch judges: Sara Cox (England) Maria Pacifico (Italy) Television match official: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Team details FB 15Eimear ConsidineRW 14Lauren Delaney OC 13Eve HigginsIC 12Sene NaoupuLW 11Beibhinn ParsonsFH 10Hannah Tyrrell SH 9 Kathryn Dane N8 8 Ciara Griffin (c)OF 7 Claire Molloy BF 6 Dorothy WallRL 5 Nicola FrydayLL 4 Aoife McDermott TP 3 Linda Djougang HK 2 Cliodhna Moloney LP 1 Lindsay Peat Replacements:HK 16Emma Hooban PR 17Katie O'Dwyer PR 18Laura Feely LK 19Brittany Hogan FL 20Hannah O'Connor SH 21Emily Lane CE 22Stacey Flood WG 23Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe Coach:Adam Griggs FB 15Emilie BoulardRW 14Caroline Boujard OC 13Carla Neisen IC 12Jade UlutuleLW 11Cyrielle BanetFH 10Caroline DrouinSH 9 Laure Sansus N8 8 Emeline Gros OF 7 Gaëlle Hermet (c) BF 6 Marjorie MayansRL 5 Safi N'DiayeLL 4 Madoussou FallTP 3 Rose Bernadou HK 2 Agathe Sochat LP 1 Annaëlle Deshayes Replacements:HK 16Laure Touyé PR 17Diha Maïlys Traoré PR 18Clara Joyeux LK 19Coumba Diallo N8 20Romane Ménager SH 21Pauline Bourdon FH 22Morgane Peyronnet CE 23Gabrielle Vernier Coach:Annick Hayraud Player of the Match: Marjorie Mayans (France) Touch judges: Hollie Davidson (Scotland) Katherine Ritchie (England) Television match official: Claire Hodnett (England)
Finals 5th/6th place
Team details FB 15Chloe RollieRW 14Liz MusgroveOC 13Hannah SmithIC 12Lisa ThomsonLW 11Megan GaffneyFH 10Helen Nelson (c)SH 9 Jenny MaxwellN8 8 Siobhan Cattigan OF 7 Rachel McLachlanBF 6 Evie GallagherRL 5 Louise McMillanLL 4 Emma WassellTP 3 Megan Kennedy HK 2 Lana SkeldonLP 1 Christine Belisle Replacements:HK 16Jodie Rettie PR 17Leah Bartlett PR 18Lisa Cockburn LK 19Nicola HowatSH 20Mairi McDonaldFH 21Sarah LawCE 22Evie WillsWG 23Rachel ShanklandCoach:Bryan Easson FB 15Jasmine JoyceRW 14Lisa NeumannOC 13Gemma Rowland IC 12Hannah Jones (c)LW 11Caitlin LewisFH 10Robyn WilkinsSH 9 Megan Davies N8 8 Georgia EvansOF 7 Bethan Dainton BF 6 Manon JohnesRL 5 Teleri Wyn Davies LL 4 Natalia John TP 3 Donna Rose HK 2 Robyn Lock LP 1 Caryl Thomas Replacements:HK 16Kelsey Jones PR 17Gwenllian Jenkins PR 18Cerys Hale LK 19Gwen Crabb FL 20Shona Powell-Hughes FL 21Abbie Fleming SH 22Jade Knight CE 23Megan Webb Coach:Warren Abrahams Player of the Match: Helen Nelson (Scotland) Touch judges: Aurélie Groizeleau (France) Doriane Domenjo (France) Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
3rd/4th place
Team details FB 15Eimear Considine RW 14Amee-Leigh Murphy CroweOC 13Eve Higgins IC 12Sene Naoupu LW 11Beibhinn Parsons FH 10Stacey FloodSH 9 Kathryn Dane N8 8 Ciara Griffin (c) OF 7 Brittany HoganBF 6 Dorothy WallRL 5 Nicola FrydayLL 4 Aoife McDermott TP 3 Linda Djougang HK 2 Cliodhna Moloney LP 1 Lindsay Peat Replacements:HK 16Neve Jones PR 17Laura Feely PR 18Leah Lyons LK 19Grace Moore FL 20Hannah O'Connor SH 21Emily Lane FH 22Hannah Tyrrell WG 23Enya Breen Coach:Adam Griggs FB 15Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi RW 14Manuela Furlan (c)OC 13Michela SillariIC 12Beatrice RigoniLW 11Maria MagattiFH 10Veronica MadiaSH 9 Sara Barattin N8 8 Elisa GiordanoOF 7 Francesca Sgorbini BF 6 Ilaria ArrighettiRL 5 Giordana DucaLL 4 Valeria Fedrighi TP 3 Lucia GaiHK 2 Melissa BettoniLP 1 Erika Skofca Replacements:HK 16Silvia TuraniPR 17Gaia Maris PR 18Michela MerloLK 19Sara Tounesi FL 20Isabella Locatelli FL 21Beatrice VeroneseSH 22Sofia Stefan WG 23Aura Muzzo Coach:Andrea di Giandomenico Player of the Match: Stacey Flood (Ireland) Touch judges: Nikki O'Donnell (England) Katherine Ritchie (England) Television match official: Ian Tempest (England)
1st/2nd place