England won another Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 with a dramatic victory over France and will be aiming to rebound from World Cup disappointment in this year’s renewal.
When the Championship returns, the Red Roses will be aiming for a fifth consecutive title, but their opponents will be eager to derail them.
When does the Women’s Six Nations 2023 start?
The 2023 Women’s Six Nations begins on Saturday, March 25, with Wales vs. Ireland and England vs. Scotland, followed by Italy vs. France on Sunday, March 26. The tournament comes to a close on Saturday, April 29, with England hosting France in the final encounter.
How to watch the Women’s Six Nations live
Viewers around the world can watch the action live on the following channels and here for free:
Live Broadcast: Women’s Six Nations 2023 Live
Women’s Six Nations 2023 Preview:
England will be without a fly-half for the forthcoming Women’s Six Nations after Zoe Harrison suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Since Katy Daley-Mclean, England’s veteran World Cup-winning captain, resigned two years ago, Harrison has been the Red Roses’ first-choice fly-half.
The Saracens player was a standout performer for the Red Roses at last year’s World Cup in New Zealand, where Wayne Smith, the former Black Ferns coach who led the hosts to a sixth championship, lauded the highly-rated fly-half as “the best kicking back in the world.”
Harrison collapsed clutching her knee during the second half of her club’s 32-12 win over Harlequins last month and was taken off on a stretcher.
Her absence is a major setback for England, who now have a huge half-back dilemma, but Saracens’ Holly Aitchison is poised to wear the No. 10 jersey for England.
Under outgoing head coach Simon Middleton, the Red Roses are chasing a fifth straight Six Nations title.
They will also be missing their prominent captain Emily Scarratt, Hannah Botterman, Laura Keates, and Vickii Cornborough for their Six Nations campaign, but England’s squad is full of ability and depth.
They have selected nine uncapped players in their squad for the upcoming tournament, after recalling the experienced Natasha Hunt.
After missing last year’s World Cup, the former scrum-half has rejoined the England squad, joining Sarah Beckett, Poppy Clealll, and Amber Reed.
Women’s Six Nations 2023 fixtures and TV schedule
Round one
Saturday March 25
Wales v Ireland, 2.15pm, at Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff), BBC iPlayer
England v Scotland, 4.45pm, at Kingston Park (Newcastle), BBC Two
Saturday March 26
Italy v France, 3pm, at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (Parma), BBC iPlayer
Round two
Saturday April 1
Ireland v France, 3.15pm, at Musgrave Park (Cork), BBC iPlayer
Scotland v Wales, 5.30pm, at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium (Edinburgh), BBC Two
Sunday April 2
England v Italy, 3pm, at Franklin’s Gardens (Northampton), BBC Two
Round three
Saturday April 15
Wales v England, 2.15pm, at Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff), BBC Two
Italy v Ireland, 4.45pm, at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (Parma), BBC iPlayer
Sunday April 16
France v Scotland, 3.15pm, at Stade de la Rabine (Vannes), BBC iPlayer
Round four
Saturday April 22
Ireland v England, 2.15pm, at Musgrave Park (Cork), BBC Two
Scotland v Italy, 4.45pm, at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium (Edinburgh), BBC iPlayer
Sunday April 23
France v Wales, 3.15pm, at Stade des Alpes (Grenoble), BBC iPlayer
Round five
Saturday April 29
England v France, 1pm, at Twickenham Stadium (London), BBC Two
Italy v Wales, 3.30pm, at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (Parma), S4C
Scotland v Ireland, 7.30pm, at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium (Edinburgh), BBC iPlayer