Women’s Six Nations Championship: History, Evolution, and the Players Who Made It Great
Introduction
The Women’s Six Nations Championship — officially known as the Guinness Women’s Six Nations for sponsorship reasons — is Europe’s premier international women’s rugby tournament. Since its inception in 1996, the competition has grown in stature, skill, and visibility, becoming a showcase for the best talent in women’s rugby.
The 2025 edition confirmed once again the dominance of England, who secured their 21st title and continue to be the benchmark of excellence in the competition’s history.
Evolution of the Teams
The tournament began in the 1995–96 season as the Home Nations Championship, featuring only four teams: England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
As the competition developed, several key changes followed:
- 1999–2001: France joined, expanding it to the Five Nations.
- 2000–2002: Spain replaced Ireland for two seasons.
- 2002: The Women’s Six Nations Championship was officially formed when Ireland rejoined.
- 2007: Italy replaced Spain, aligning the women’s tournament with the men’s Six Nations.
Since then, the six competing nations have remained England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
The Tournaments and English Dominance
Across 30 editions of the competition, England has been the undisputed powerhouse:
- 21 titles
- 18 Grand Slams
- 24 Triple Crowns
France has been the closest challenger, with six titles, while Ireland has claimed two. Scotland remains the only other nation to have lifted the trophy, in 1998.
In 2023, a new championship trophy was unveiled, designed and crafted by British silversmiths Thomas Lyte. Standing 25 inches tall, the trophy’s six silver arms reach upwards to represent the unity and ambition of the nations involved — a fitting symbol of the competition’s spirit.
Historical Overview and Key Records
| Nation | Titles | Grand Slams | Triple Crowns | Wooden Spoons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 21 | 18 | 24 | 0 |
| France | 6 | 5 | — | 0 |
| Ireland | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Italy | 0 | 0 | — | 3 |
| Scotland | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Wales | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Spain | 0 | 0 | — | 2 |
Some of the most memorable scorelines include:
- England 89–0 Scotland (Twickenham, 2011)
- England 88–10 Ireland (Twickenham, 2024)
- England 86–3 Spain (Madrid, 2006)
England’s total points tally exceeds 4,800 in championship history — a testament to their sustained dominance.
Outstanding Players
Since 2020, the tournament has awarded the Player of the Championship, recognizing individual brilliance. The winners so far are:
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Emily Scarratt | England |
| 2021 | Poppy Cleall | England |
| 2022 | Laure Sansus | France |
| 2023 | Gabrielle Vernier | France |
| 2024 | Ellie Kildunne | England |
| 2025 | Aoife Wafer | Ireland |
Other standout figures of recent years include:
- Marlie Packer (England) – inspirational captain and driving force of her team.
- Gabrielle Vernier (France) – a brilliant centre known for her power and vision.
- Aoife Wafer (Ireland) – rising star and two-time Player of the Championship.
- Ellie Kildunne (England) – electrifying pace and clinical finishing.