Women’s Six Nations 2025 fixtures revealed — and key Red Roses players could miss opening round
The Red Roses will take on France at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on the final Saturday of the tournament - but John Mitchell may be without some of his squad for the start of the campaign
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Your support makes all the difference.The Red Roses will return to the renamed Allianz Stadium, Twickenham as England again take on France in a likely grand slam decider on the final weekend of the 2025 Women’s Six Nations.
John Mitchell’s side beat their closest rivals in Bordeaux in April to secure a sixth successive competition crown and continue their dominance of the tournament.
A record crowd for a women’s rugby fixture of 58,498 had attended last year’s clash between the pair at the home of English rugby, while nearly 50,000 watched the thrashing of Ireland on their way to a grand slam earlier this year.
England take on New Zealand’s Black Ferns in Twickenham this weekend in the first fixture since the stadium’s renaming. Ticket sales for the game are approaching 40,000 with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) hoping to sell out the venue for next September’s World Cup final.
The Red Roses’ encounter with France is one of three home fixtures during the 2025 Six Nations, with their Round 1 clash with Italy set to be held at the York Community Stadium before a meeting with Scotland at Leicester’s Welford Road in Round 4.
The clash between the tournament’s top two will serve as the denouement to “Super Saturday” on 26 April, with Scotland taking on Ireland and Italy hosting Wales on the final day.
“The opportunity to take women’s rugby to new heights next year cannot be overstated,” Julie Paterson, chief of rugby at the Six Nations, said. “Having the spotlight on women’s rugby in 2025 can benefit the entire game, its players, and the fans. For the Guinness Women’s Six Nations to kick off such a significant stage in the trajectory of the women’s game feels both fitting and exciting in equal measure.”
The tournament gets underway on 22 March, a week after the conclusion of the men’s tournament and just six days after the final of Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).
The English domestic league has shifted its season to conclude ahead of the Women’s Six Nations, though figures within the club game have privately expressed concerns over player workloads and management as national sides gear up for next summer’s World Cup.
England coach Mitchell suggested recently that those involved in the final from his squad were unlikely to feature in Round 1.
“Six Nations preparation next year will be even shorter,” Mitchell cautioned. “[We’ll] probably have to prepare two teams for the early start of Six Nations, because the [PWR] finalists will be playing just before we kick off. I think everyone will be given a good break after the Six Nations.”
Those involved in WXV will miss the start of the new PWR season as women’s rugby grapples with problems of a congested calendar like those seen more regularly in the men’s game.
2025 Women’s Six Nations fixtures
(all times BST)
Round 1
Saturday 22 March
Ireland vs France, 1pm
Scotland vs Wales, 4.45pm
Sunday 23 March
England vs Italy, 3pm
Round 2
Saturday 29 March
France vs Scotland, 1pm
Wales vs England, 4.45pm
Sunday 30 March
Italy vs Ireland, 3pm
Round 3
Saturday 12 April
France vs Wales, 12.45pm
Ireland vs England, 4.45pm
Sunday 13 April
Scotland vs Italy, 3pm
Round 4
Saturday 19 April
Italy vs France, 1pm
England vs Scotland, 4.45pm
Sunday 20 April
Wales vs Ireland, 3pm
Round 5
Saturday 26 April
Scotland vs Ireland, 12.15pm
Italy vs Wales, 2.30pm
England vs France, 4.45pm
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