Summary

  • Use play icon at the top of the page to watch live coverage

  • Ireland's only win in 2019 tournament came against Scotland

  • Ireland finished fifth last year while Scotland finished bottom

Live Reporting

  1. What to expect from the Women’s Six Nations

    England womenGetty Images

    England are favourites to win a second successive Grand Slam and start this year's tournament away against France on 2 February.

    But the Six Nations may not be top priority for some teams with Ireland, Italy and Scotland set to compete in a World Cup qualification tournament in September.

    In the meantime, we’ve got a guide containing everything you need to know about each team in the tournament, as well as predictions from the hosts of new women's episodes of BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby Union Weekly podcast: Sara Orchard and Philippa Tuttiett.

    You can see how Sara and Philippa see the action unfolding here.

  2. Women’s Six Nations history

    Women's Six nationsGetty Images

    What is now the Women's Six Nations started off as a four-team home international tournament in 1996. Three years later, it expanded to a five-nation affair by adding France and Spain, the latter staying with the tournament for seven seasons.

    Ireland came back from two seasons out in 2002 to make it the Six Nations and the tournament has stayed that way ever since.

    Italy joined in 2007 to replace Spain and their second-place finish last year was their best in 13 seasons in the tournament. Only Wales, England and Scotland have played the full programme of 110 games since 1996.

    England, who are two wins away from 100 in the tournament, have won the title 15 times (but only twice in the last seven years), France have won six times (three of those in the last six years), Ireland twice and Scotland’s win in 1998 remains their only title.

  3. How can I watch the Women's Six Nations?

    All times are GMT and subject to change

    BBC Sport

    The BBC will be bringing you live coverage from every game of the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations.

    Ireland v Scotland will be shown live on the BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the website and mobile app, while Wales v Italy will be available on BBC Two Wales as well as the iPlayer and online.

    We will also have live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from France v England as well as live text updates on the BBC Sport website.

    Sunday 2 February

    Ireland v Scotland

    12:50-15:00 – BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app

    Wales v Italy

    12:50-15:00 – BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app

    France v England

    12:20-14:30 – BBC Radio 5 live sports extra plus live text commentary

    Both Ireland v Scotland and Wales v Italy will also be available on catch-up via the BBC iPlayer.

    Find out more about the BBC's coverage of the Women's Six Nations.

  4. Women's Six Nations fixtures

    Round 1

    Sun 2 Feb

    France v England (Pau, 12:30)

    Ireland v Scotland (Donnybrook, 13:00)

    Wales v Italy (Cardiff Arms Park, 13:00)

    Round 2

    Sat 8 Feb

    France v Italy (Limoges, 20:00)

    Sun 9 Feb

    Scotland v England (Glasgow, 12:10)

    Ireland v Wales (Donnybrook 13:00)

    Round 3

    Sun 23 Feb

    England v Ireland (Doncaster, 12:45)

    Italy v Scotland (Legnano, 17:10)

    Wales v France (Cardiff Arms Park, 12:00)

    Sat 7 Mar

    Round 4

    England v Wales (Twickenham Stoop, 12:05)

    Scotland v France (Glasgow, 19:45)

    Sun 8 Mar

    Ireland v Italy (Donnybrook, 13:00)

    Round 5

    Sun 15 Mar

    France v Ireland (Lille, 13:30)

    Italy v England (Padova, 13:30)

    Wales v Scotland (Cardiff Arms Park, 13:10)

  5. Are you allowed to tackle? The questions NOT to ask a women’s rugby player

    England players Natasha Hunt and Emily Scarratt reveal the most awkward questions regularly faced by women's rugby players.

    Things not to say to women's rugby players

  6. BBC Sport: How to get into Rugby Union

    BBC Sport

    Southport Ladies: ‘My other half said I couldn’t play rugby. I’m better than he is!’

    If you enjoy being active and want to build your fitness and strength then rugby union is the sport for you.

    From scrummaging and tackling, to sprinting with the ball, rugby can be a high-intensity workout that will boost both your fitness and your strength.

    If the idea of traditional 15-a-side game seems intimidating, there are various versions of the game that you can test out, such as touch rugby, where tackling is banned, and a wheelchair version that proved a big hit at 2012 Paralympics in London.

    If you want to find out more about rugby union and how you can get involved, see our handy guide here.