Ex-Pulborough junior set to return for Red Roses

The fixtures for the 2021 Women’s Six Nations have been confirmed and former Pulborough RFC junior Jess Breach is likely to be involved for holders England.

This year’s championship will see a condensed format of two pools of three teams with each team playing one home and away fixture.

Once the pool matches are complete, teams will face off against the opposing ranked team from the other pool in a play-off.

Drawn in Pool A, England begin this year’s campaign against Scotland at Castle

Park, Doncaster (Saturday April 3, kick-off 3pm and live on BBC iPlayer) before taking on Italy at Stadio Plebiscito, Padova (Saturday April 10, kick-off 2pm and live on BBC iPlayer).

The Red Roses are at home for the final play-off, the first Women’s Six Nations fixture to be broadcast on the main BBC network (Saturday April 24, kick-off 2pm, BBC Two) with the venue to be confirmed.

The Friday after the tournament concludes, Simon Middleton’s side travel to Lille to take on France in a

Women’s Six Nations exhibition game in their maiden visit to Villeneuve d’Ascq (Friday April 30, kick-off 8pm, BBC iPlayer).

England head coach Middleton said: “The Six Nations is always a special competition and we’re all looking forward to getting underway.

“We’ve had wonderful support in our previous visits to Castle Park.

“It’s great that the games will once again be shown on the BBC and this time, we want to make sure everyone can enjoy watching from home.”