Last season, these two titans met in a nail-biting Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux, where the Red Roses triumphed with a score of 43-28. With such a history, the upcoming match at the Allianz Stadium is eagerly anticipated to be another highlight of the Six Nations Championship.
Meg Jones, the captain of the Red Roses, expressed her enthusiasm for the match against France. She highlighted the intense rivalry and the vibrant atmosphere that accompanies such games.
“Games against France are always a competitive battle and that’s what makes it one of the most enjoyable games to play in. When you add the walk-in from the bus, the roar of the Allianz Stadium crowd and a sea of cowboy hats, it makes it an even more incredible occasion. It’s one we relish and are looking forward to.”
In addition to the France fixture, the Red Roses are scheduled to play Italy in the third round at Franklin’s Gardens. This venue, familiar to both the Northampton Saints and Loughborough Lightning, hosted a resounding 68-5 victory for England in their 2023 match against Italy. It was also a key venue in last year’s Rugby World Cup fixtures.
Helena Rowland, England and Loughborough Lightning back, shared her fondness for playing at Franklin’s Gardens, recalling the electrifying atmosphere experienced during the Women's Rugby World Cup hosted there in 2025.
“Franklin’s Gardens is a hotbed for English rugby and we love playing there. You saw in the 2025 Rugby World Cup how amazing a place it is for women’s rugby and how much the fans embraced having a Red Roses match there. The crowd was absolutely electric that day, as it always is when we play there, and no doubt it will be the same against Italy next year.”
Details about the venue for the Red Roses' home game against Scotland in the second round will be announced later, adding to the anticipation for next year's fixtures.
The Red Roses' confirmed home venues so far include a match on Saturday, 24th April, against Italy at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, kicking off at 17:00 local time. The grand match against France will take place on Saturday, 15th May, at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with a kick-off at 16:45 local time.
As the Women’s Six Nations progresses, fans can look forward to the adoption of a 'Super Saturday' format for the 2027 tournament. This adjustment promises a climactic end to the tournament, potentially featuring another Grand Slam decider in its final round.
This season's line-up and further developments promise an exciting year for women's rugby, highlighting the sport's growing appeal and the fierce competition at the international level.
