Women’s Six Nations 2023: team-by-team guide
Coach: Simon MiddletonCaptain: Sarah Hunter and Marlie PackerSix Nations best: Winners (13-time champions with 11 of those grand slams. England won the title in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)Predicted finish: First, grand slam winners
The Red Roses are favourites to lift the Six Nations trophy again despite losing the World Cup final to New Zealand in November. The defeat in the final, which ended their record run of 30 games unbeaten, was England’s first loss since 2019. If avenging a heartbreaking defeat is not enough motivation to defend their title, the swan songs of the coach, Simon Middleton, and captain, Sarah Hunter, will add fire to the dominant English beast. Middleton will step down after the tournament and the record-cap holder, Hunter, will retire after England’s opening match against Scotland in her home town of Newcastle. England’s toughest match this tournament will be against France at Twickenham but the hosts are likely to prove too strong with the likes of the winger Abby Dow, prop Maud Muir and scrum-half Natasha “Mo” Hunt – who is back in the squad after not being selected for the World Cup – among their star players. More than 35,000 fans have bought tickets for the Red Roses’ first standalone match at the home of English rugby. The last time France and England played one another was at the World Cup and it was edged by England 13-7.
Coaches: Gaëlle Mignot and David OrtizCaptain: Audrey ForlaniSix Nations best: Winners (Six-time champions with five of those grand slams. France won the title in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2016, 2018)Predicted finish: Second
France head into the tournament looking to shake off England’s perpetual hold on the trophy with a new