Big issues

Five major talking points at this year’s championship

Why the table matters

The Women’s Six Nations has become synonymous with a lack of jeopardy because of the domination of England and France, but the final standings still carry significance. The nations who finish first to fifth will book places at next year’s World Cup in England. This process becomes a bit redundant given England and France have already secured their spots for the tournament after finishing in the top four at the 2022 World Cup

(and are likely to finish near the top of the table anyway). If that happens, it is a dog fight between the rest. The sixth-placed team will play off against the European champions (likely to be Spain), with the winner also qualifying. Qualification for WXV – the three-tiered competition launched by World Rugby with the aim of increasing Test fixtures – is also on the line. The thirdplaced team will compete in WXV1 this year, while the fourth

and fifth teams will be in WXV2. The woodenspoon team will be taking part in WXV3.

Bunkers and clocks

For the first time in a women’s rugby competition, the bunker system will feature, providing an opportunity for referees to refer incidents of foul play for review when a potential red card is not clear and obvious. There will also be a shot clock, which gives players 60 seconds to take a penalty, and 90 for a conversion, as well as instrumented mouthguards.

Names on shirts

Like in the men’s tournament, women’s players will have their names on the back of their match shirts. Tom Harrison, the Six Nations chief executive, said it was “much easier to get that through in the women’s game actually than the men’s”.

Fixtures at national stadiums

After the success of the Red Roses’ Grand Slam match at Twickenham last April, when the showdown with France was watched by a record 58,498 crowd, England will return to take on Ireland on April 20. Wales face Italy on the final weekend at the Principality Stadium.

New faces at the helm

You might have seen the awkward photo of the seven coaches (left) – France have co-coaches in Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz – taken at the official launch in London last week, featuring John Mitchell and Scott Bemand, the new head coaches of England and Ireland respectively. Former All Blacks head coach Mitchell, who was appointed by the Rugby Football Union last May, will take charge of the Red Roses for the first time in the championship. Bemand has been involved in various Six Nations campaigns as the Red Roses’ backs coach, but this will be the Englishman’s first time leading a nation.