Wales Women begin their Six Nations games against France

FIXTURE dates, kick-off times and broadcast details for this year’s Women’s Six Nations – which begins in 11 days – have been released.

This year, the Six Nations will be played out in a condensed format similar to the Autumn Nations Cup, with two pools of three and a play-off finals weekend. Each team will play one home and one away match in the pool stage, while play-offs will see teams play the opposite team ranked in the same finishing position.

Wales Women, who haven’t played a competitive game since last year’s Six Nations and have now welcomed new head coach Warren Abrahams, have been drawn alongside France and Ireland, while reigning Grand Slam champions England – the only professional side in the tournament – face Scotland and Italy in the group stages.

England will open their title defence against Scotland, with the first weekend of action also seeing Wales travel to face France.

In round two, Wales make their return to Cardiff Arms Park where they host Ireland, and England play Italy in Padova.

Wales sit it out in round three, while France travel to Ireland and Scotland welcome Italy to Scotstoun Stadium before the finals weekend on April 24.

Six Nations bosses have announced that, for the first time, all games will be available in one place in the UK, Ireland and Italy – as BBC, RTE and Eurosport are carrying all nine matches on a mix of terrestrial and digital services.

Two matches are being shown on terrestrial TV in the UK, with BBC Wales broadcasting Wales v Ireland, while England’s play-off match will be shown on BBC Two – becoming the first Women’s Six Nations match to be shown on “the main BBC network” for the first time. All other games will be on the iPlayer.

Pool A: England, Scotland, Italy. Pool B: Wales, Ireland, France. Women’s Six Nations 2021 fixtures and kick-off times Saturday, April 3: England v Scotland, 3pm, Doncaster; France v Wales, 8pm, Vannes.

Saturday, April 10: Italy v England, 2pm, Padova; Wales v Ireland, 5pm, Cardiff Arms Park. Saturday, April 17: Ireland v France, 2.15pm, Donnybrook; Scotland v Italy, 5pm, Glasgow. Saturday, April 24: Play-off finals: England, Italy and Scotland will play at home.

■■On Super Saturday, Italy get the action under way with a 12pm match against the side who finish in the equivalent position in Pool A. Current champions England play their counterparts at 2pm, while Scotland and their opponents will be playing the last match of the day at 5pm.