2023 Women's Six Nations Championship Explained

2023 Women's Six Nations Championship
Date:25 March – 29 April 2023
Countries:




Count:19
Grand Slam: (17th title)
Triple Crown: (23rd title)
Matches:15
Top Point Scorer: Marlie Packer (35)
Top Try Scorer: Marlie Packer (7)
Player Of The Tournament: Gabrielle Vernier
Previous Year:2022
Previous Tournament:2022 Women's Six Nations Championship
Next Year:2024
Next Tournament:2024 Women's Six Nations Championship

The 2023 Women's Six Nations Championship, known as the TikTok Women's Six Nations for marketing purposes, was the 22nd series of the Women's Six Nations Championship, an annual women's rugby union competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It began on 25 March and concluded on 29 April 2023.[1]

England entered the tournament as defending champions, having completed a Grand Slam in 2022 and retained their title with a 38–33 victory over France in the final game.

Participants

NationStadiumsHead coachCaptain
Home stadiumCapacityLocation
Kingston Park[2] 10,200Newcastle Simon MiddletonSarah Hunter
Marlie Packer
Franklin's Gardens15,200Northampton
Twickenham Stadium82,000London
Stade de la Rabine[3] 11,303Vannes Gaëlle Mignot
David Ortiz[4]
Audrey Forlani
Stade des Alpes20,068Grenoble
Musgrave Park8,008Cork Greg McWilliamsNichola Fryday
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi5,000Parma Giovanni Raineri[5] Elisa Giordano
Edinburgh Rugby Stadium[6] 7,800Edinburgh Bryan EassonRachel Malcolm
Cardiff Arms Park12,125Cardiff Ioan CunninghamHannah Jones

Squads

See main article: 2023 Women's Six Nations Championship squads.

Table

PositionNationMatchesPointsTriesBonus
points
Table
points
PlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstForAgainst
1550027148+22345750328
2540120267+135321041021
35302118135–17172030015
4520394178–84152820010
5510472162–9010260004
6500525192–1673310000

Table ranking rules

Fixtures

Round 1

FB 15Courtney Keight
RW 14Lisa Neumann
OC 13Hannah Jones (c)
IC 12Kerin Lake
LW 11Carys Williams-Morris
FH 10Elinor Snowsill
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Alex Callender
BF 6 Georgia Evans
RL 5
LL 4 Abbie Fleming
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1 Gwenllian Pyrs
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17Caryl Thomas
PR 18
LK 19
N8 20
SH 21
FH 22Lleucu George
WG 23
Coach:
Ioan Cunningham
FB 15
RW 14
OC 13Aoife Dalton
IC 12Enya Breen
LW 11Natasja Behan
FH 10
SH 9 Molly Scuffil-McCabe
N8 8
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5
LL 4 Nichola Fryday (c)
TP 3 Linda Djougang
HK 2 Neve Jones
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17Niamh O'Dowd
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
FL 21
SH 22
FB 23
Coach:
Greg McWilliams

Player of the Match:
Sisilia Tuipulotu (Wales)

Assistant referees:
Doriane Domenjo (France)
Maria Latos (Germany)
Television match official:
Ian Tempest (England)

Notes:

----

FB 15
RW 14Jessica Breach
OC 13Lagi Tuima
IC 12
LW 11Claudia MacDonald
FH 10Holly Aitchison
SH 9
N8 8 Sarah Hunter (cc)
OF 7 Marlie Packer (cc)
BF 6 Sadia Kabeya
RL 5
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Simon Middleton
FB 15Chloe Rollie
RW 14
OC 13Emma Orr
IC 12
LW 11Francesca McGhie
FH 10Helen Nelson
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Rachel McLachlan
BF 6 Rachel Malcolm (c)
RL 5 Louise McMillan
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Bryan Easson

Player of the Match:
Marlie Packer (England)

Assistant referees:
Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Adele Roberts (Belgium)
Television match official:
Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Notes:

----

FB 15Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
RW 14
OC 13Michela Sillari
IC 12Beatrice Rigoni
LW 11Alyssa D'Incà
FH 10Veronica Madia
SH 9
N8 8 Elisa Giordano (c)
OF 7
BF 6 Francesca Sgorbini
RL 5 Giordana Duca
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2 Vittoria Vecchini
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16Emanuela Stecca
PR 17Gaia Maris
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22Emma Stevanini
FB 23Beatrice Capomaggi
Coach:
Giovanni Raineri
FB 15Émilie Boulard
RW 14Cyrielle Banet
OC 13
IC 12Gabrielle Vernier
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Charlotte Escudero
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5 Audrey Forlani (c)
LL 4 Manae Feleu
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
CE 23
Coach:
Gaëlle Mignot
David Ortiz

Player of the Match:
Gabrielle Vernier (France)

Assistant referees:
Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Katherine Ritchie (England)
Television match official:
Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Notes:

Round 2

FB 15
RW 14
OC 13Aoife Dalton
IC 12
LW 11Natasja Behan
FH 10Dannah O'Brien
SH 9
N8 8 Deirbhile Nic a Bháird
OF 7
BF 6 Dorothy Wall
RL 5 Sam Monaghan
LL 4 Nichola Fryday (c)
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
N8 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Greg McWilliams
FB 15Morgane Bourgeois
RW 14Cyrielle Banet
OC 13
IC 12Gabrielle Vernier
LW 11Caroline Boujard
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Charlotte Escudero
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5 Audrey Forlani (c)
LL 4 Manae Feleu
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
FB 23
Coach:
Gaëlle Mignot
David Ortiz

Player of the Match:
Pauline Bourdon (France)

Assistant referees:
Sara Cox (England)
Maria Heitor (Portugal)
Television match official:
Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Notes:

----

FB 15Chloe Rollie
RW 14
OC 13Emma Orr
IC 12
LW 11Francesca McGhie
FH 10Helen Nelson
SH 9
N8 8 Evie Gallagher
OF 7
BF 6 Rachel Malcolm (c)
RL 5 Louise McMillan
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
N8 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Bryan Easson
FB 15Courtney Keight
RW 14
OC 13Hannah Jones (c)
IC 12
LW 11Carys Williams-Morris
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Alex Callender
BF 6 Bethan Lewis
RL 5 Georgia Evans
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
N8 20
SH 21
FH 22
CE 23
Coach:
Ioan Cunningham

Player of the Match:
Sisilia Tuipulotu (Wales)

Assistant referees:
Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy)
Mario Pacifico (Italy)
Television match official:
Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Notes:

----

FB 15Abigail Dow
RW 14Jessica Breach
OC 13Lagi Tuima
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Holly Aitchison
SH 9
N8 8 Zoe Aldcroft
OF 7 Marlie Packer (c)
BF 6
RL 5 Delaney Burns
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
FL 19
LK 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Simon Middleton
FB 15Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
RW 14Aura Muzzo
OC 13Michela Sillari
IC 12
LW 11Sofia Stefan
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Elisa Giordano (c)
OF 7 Giada Franco
BF 6 Francesca Sgorbini
RL 5
LL 4 Sara Tounesi
TP 3
HK 2 Vittoria Vecchini
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17Alice Cassaghi
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Giovanni Raineri

Player of the Match:
Sarah Bern (England)

Assistant referees:
Doirane Domenjo (France)
Mary Pringle (Scotland)
Television match official:
Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)

Notes:

Round 3

FB 15Courtney Keight
RW 14Lisa Neumann
OC 13Hannah Jones (c)
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Elinor Snowsill
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Alex Callender
BF 6
RL 5 Georgia Evans
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
FL 21
SH 22
FH 23
Coach:
Ioan Cunningham
FB 15
RW 14
OC 13
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Holly Aitchison
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Marlie Packer (c)
BF 6 Sadia Kabeya
RL 5
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Simon Middleton

Player of the Match:
Tatyana Heard (England)

Assistant referees:
Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy)
Maria Pacifico (Italy)
Television match official:
Olly Hodges (Ireland)Notes:

----

FB 15
RW 14Aura Muzzo
OC 13Michela Sillari
IC 12Beatrice Rigoni
LW 11Alyssa D'Incà
FH 10
SH 9 Sofia Stefan (c)
N8 8 Giada Franco
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5 Giordana Duca
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2 Vittoria Vecchini
LP 1 Gaia Maris
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17Alice Cassaghi
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
FL 21
SH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Giovanni Raineri
FB 15Lauren Delany
RW 14Aoife Doyle
OC 13
IC 12Anna McGann
LW 11
FH 10Dannah O'Brien
SH 9
N8 8 Deirbhile Nic a Bháird
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5 Sam Monaghan
LL 4 Nichola Fryday (c)
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Greg McWilliams

Player of the Match:
Alyssa D'Incà (Italy)

Assistant referees:
Maria Latos (German)
Mary Pringle (Scotland)
Television match official:
Ian Tempest (England)----

FB 15Émilie Boulard
RW 14
OC 13Marine Ménager
IC 12Gabrielle Vernier
LW 11Mélissande Llorens
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Charlotte Escudero
OF 7 Gaëlle Hermet
BF 6
RL 5 Audrey Forlani (c)
LL 4 Maëlle Picut
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
N8 19
LK 20
SH 21
FH 22
CE 23
Coach:
Gaëlle Mignot
David Ortiz
FB 15Chloe Rollie
RW 14Liz Musgrove
OC 13
IC 12Lisa Thomson
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Evie Gallagher
BF 6 Rachel Malcolm (c)
RL 5 Louise McMillan
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Bryan Easson

Player of the Match:
Mélissande Llorens (France)

Assistant referees:
Clara Munarini (Italy)
Katherine Ritchie (England)
Television match official:
Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Notes:

Round 4

FB 15Lauren Delany
RW 14Aoife Doyle
OC 13
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Dannah O'Brien
SH 9
N8 8 Deirbhile Nic a Bháird
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5 Sam Monaghan
LL 4 Nichola Fryday (c)
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Greg McWilliams
FB 15Ellie Kildunne
RW 14Abigail Dow
OC 13
IC 12
LW 11Claudia MacDonald
FH 10Holly Aitchison
SH 9
N8 8 Alex Matthews
OF 7 Marlie Packer (c)
BF 6 Sadia Kabeya
RL 5 Sarah Beckett
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Simon Middleton

Player of the Match:
Sarah Beckett (England)

Assistant referees:
Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy)
Maria Pacifico (Italy)
Television match official:
Andre McMenemy (Scotland)

Notes:

----

FB 15Chloe Rollie
RW 14Coreen Grant
OC 13Lisa Thomson
IC 12Meryl Smith
LW 11Francesca McGhie
FH 10Helen Nelson
SH 9
N8 8 Evie Gallagher
OF 7 Rachel McLachlan
BF 6 Rachel Malcolm (c)
RL 5 Louise McMillan
LL 4
TP 3 Christine Belisle
HK 2 Lana Skeldon
LP 1 Leah Bartlett
Replacements:
HK 16Jodie Rettie
PR 17Anne Young
PR 18Elliann Clarke
LK 19
N8 20Eilidh Sinclair
SH 21
FH 22Beth Blacklock
WG 23Liz Musgrove
Coach:
Bryan Easson
FB 15Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
RW 14
OC 13
IC 12Beatrice Rigoni
LW 11
FH 10Veronica Madia
SH 9 Sofia Stefan (c)
N8 8 Giada Franco
OF 7
BF 6 Sara Tounesi
RL 5
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2 Vittoria Vecchini
LP 1 Gaia Maris
Replacements:
HK 16Emanuela Stecca
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19Laura Gurioli
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Giovanni Raineri

Player of the Match:
Jade Konkel-Roberts (Scotland)

Assistant referees:
Joy Neville (Ireland)
Adele Roberts (Belgium)
Television match official:
Ian Tempest (England)

Notes:

----

FB 15
RW 14Cyrielle Banet
OC 13
IC 12Gabrielle Vernier
LW 11Mélissande Llorens
FH 10Jessy Trémoulière
SH 9
N8 8 Romane Ménager
OF 7 Gaëlle Hermet
BF 6
RL 5 Audrey Forlani (c)
LL 4 Maëlle Picut
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
N8 20
SH 21
FH 22
CE 23
Coach:
Gaëlle Mignot
David Ortiz
FB 15Courtney Keight
RW 14Lisa Neumann
OC 13Hannah Jones (c)
IC 12Lleucu George
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Kate Williams
BF 6
RL 5 Georgia Evans
LL 4 Abbie Fleming
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
N8 20
SH 21
FH 22
FB 23
Coach:
Ioan Cunningham

Player of the Match:
Gaëlle Hermet (France)

Assistant referees:
Katherine Ritchie (England)
Mary Pringle (Scotland)
Television match official:
Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Notes:

Round 5

FB 15Ellie Kildunne
RW 14Abigail Dow
OC 13Helena Rowland
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Holly Aitchison
SH 9
N8 8 Alex Matthews
OF 7 Marlie Packer (c)
BF 6
RL 5
LL 4 Zoe Aldcroft
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Simon Middleton
FB 15
RW 14Cyrielle Banet
OC 13
IC 12Gabrielle Vernier
LW 11Mélissande Llorens
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Charlotte Escudero
OF 7 Gaëlle Hermet
BF 6
RL 5 Audrey Forlani (c)
LL 4 Manaé Feleu
TP 3
HK 2 Agathe Sochat
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16Élisa Riffonneau
PR 17
PR 18
FL 19
N8 20
SH 21
FH 22
CE 23
Coach:
Gaëlle Mignot
David Ortiz

Player of the Match:
Sadia Kabeya (England)

Assistant referees:
Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)
Maria Heitor (Portugal)
Television match official:
Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Notes:

----

FB 15Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
RW 14Aura Muzzo
OC 13
IC 12Beatrice Rigoni
LW 11Alyssa D'Incà
FH 10
SH 9 Sara Barattin (c)
N8 8
OF 7 Isabella Locatelli
BF 6 Sara Tounesi
RL 5 Giordana Duca
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2 Vittoria Vecchini
LP 1 Gaia Maris
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18Alessia Pilani
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Giovanni Raineri
FB 15Courtney Keight
RW 14Lisa Neumann
OC 13Hannah Jones (c)
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Elinor Snowsill
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Alex Callender
BF 6 Bethan Lewis
RL 5
LL 4 Abbie Fleming
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Ioan Cunningham

Player of the Match:
Alex Callender (Wales)

Assistant referees:
Aurélie Groizeleau (France)
Mary Pringle (Scotland)
Television match official:
Ben Blain (Scotland)

Notes:

----

FB 15Chloe Rollie
RW 14Coreen Grant
OC 13Emma Orr
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Helen Nelson
SH 9
N8 8 Evie Gallagher
OF 7 Rachel McLachlan
BF 6 Rachel Malcolm (c)
RL 5
LL 4 Jade Konkel-Roberts
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Bryan Easson
FB 15Lauren Delany
RW 14
OC 13Aoife Dalton
IC 12
LW 11Natasja Behan
FH 10Dannah O'Brien
SH 9
N8 8 Deirbhile Nic a Bháird
OF 7
BF 6
RL 5 Sam Monaghan
LL 4 Nichola Fryday (c)
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Greg McWilliams

Player of the Match:
Meryl Smith (Scotland)

Assistant referees:
Clara Munarini
Katherine Ritchie (England)
Television match official:
Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Notes:

Statistics

Top points scorers

PosNameTeamPts
1Marlie Packer35
2Abigail Dow30
3Jessy Trémoulière29
4Keira Bevan27
5Gabrielle Vernier25
6Michela Sillari22
7Jessica Breach20
Tatyana Heard
Claudia MacDonald
Émilie Boulard
Lana Skeldon
Charlotte Escudero
Sisilia Tuipulotu

Top try scorers

PosNameTeamTries
1Marlie Packer7
2Abigail Dow6
3Gabrielle Vernier5
4Claudia MacDonald4
Jessica Breach
Tatyana Heard
Émilie Boulard
Charlotte Escudero
Sisilia Tuipulotu
Lana Skeldon

Broadcast

CountryBroadcaster
AustraliaStan Sport
United KingdomBBC Sport
FranceFrance TV
Republic of Ireland
ItalySky Sport Italia

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-08-24 . Extensive broadcast and digital coverage set to expand the reach of the 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations . 2022-08-24 . . en-GB.
  2. News: England to play first standalone Twickenham match . en-GB . . 2022-12-02.
  3. Web site: Stadiums for the 2023 Six Nations Tournament . 2022-10-11 . Fédération Française de Rugby . fr.
  4. Web site: How Gaëlle Mignot became France co-coach in only a few months . . 2022-03-22 . 2022-03-22.
  5. Web site: 2022-12-06 . Raineri new Italy head coach after Di Giandomenico steps down . 2022-12-07 . TikTok Women’s Six Nations . en-GB.
  6. Web site: 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations . 2022-12-02 . Scottish Rugby . en-GB.
  7. News: NZ naval officer Kate Williams set for Wales debut . . 23 March 2023 . 23 March 2023 . en-GB.
  8. News: Clifford honoured to share debut with Hunter farewell . . 30 March 2023 . 30 March 2023 . en-GB.
  9. News: Liz Crake on juggling dentistry with an England debut . . 29 March 2023 . 30 March 2023 . en-GB.
  10. News: Francesca McGhie backed to make her mark in Six Nations . Herald Scotland . 23 March 2023 . 30 March 2023 . en-GB.
  11. News: Former Canada prop Mackenzie Carson to make surprise start for England . . 22 March 2023 . 22 March 2023 . en-GB.
  12. News: England captain Sarah Hunter to retire after Six Nations opener . . 21 March 2023 . 21 March 2023 . en-GB.
  13. News: England make three changes, including a debut for Delaney Burns . Rugby Pass . 30 March 2023 . 30 March 2023 . en-GB.
  14. News: Women's Six Nations 2023: Emma Sing to make first England start against Wales . . 12 April 2023 . 12 April 2023 . en-GB.
  15. News: Wales make two changes for England Women's Six Nations clash as acid test approaches . Wales Online . 13 April 2023 . 13 April 2023 . en-GB.
  16. News: Rendell . Sarah . Red Roses eye records and Six Nations title for Middleton’s grand finale . 1 May 2023 . The Guardian . 28 April 2023.
  17. News: England to play first standalone Twickenham match . . 28 September 2022 . 28 September 2022 . en-GB.
  18. News: Grey . Becky . England 38-33 France: Red Roses clinch Women's Six Nations Grand Slam at Twickenham . 29 April 2023 . BBC Sport . 29 April 2023.