The 2026 Women’s Six Nations
Women’s rugby has come a far way since over the last 30 years. To put it into perspective the first women’s rugby world cup only took place in 1991 and only 12 countries competed. Last year’s event saw sold out venues and countries rallying behind their teams. So it is fitting that the start of the 2026 women’s six nations is almost upon us. And if the men’s six nations that took place earlier this year is anything to go by, then the W6N will be just as exciting.
The Women’s Six Nations 2026 has been bringing the best in women’s rugby since 1996 when it first started. The first couple of tournaments only featured four teams including, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. France joined the competition in 1999 and Italy joined in 2007. Spain had a brief stint in the competition in the early 2000s. But was unfortunately replaced by Italy in order to replicate the teams in the men’s competition. Last year’s women’s rugby world cup winner England have won and lifted the trophy the most. They have won the trophy 21 times and have been a dominant force for the last six years, winning back to back since 2019.
The Format of the W6N
The Women’s Six Nations Championship (W6N) follows a clear and competitive round-robin format, which ensures that every team faces each other once during the tournament. As a result, each nation plays five matches across the competition window, creating a balanced and fair structure where consistency is key.
How the W6N Round-Robin Format Works
In this format, all six participating teams go head-to-head over five rounds. Therefore, every match carries significant weight, as there are no second chances or knockout stages. Teams must build momentum early while maintaining performance throughout, especially when chasing the title or aiming for a top-three finish.
Points System Explained
The W6N uses a standard rugby union points system, which rewards both results and attacking play:
- Win: 4 points
- Draw: 2 points
- Loss: 0 points
However, the competition also introduces bonus points, which often play a decisive role in the final standings:
- Try Bonus Point: Awarded when a team scores four or more tries in a match
- Losing Bonus Point: Awarded when a team loses by seven points or fewer
Because of this system, teams can still earn valuable points even in defeat. Consequently, matches remain competitive right until the final whistle, which adds extra excitement for fans and bettors alike.
Grand Slam & Final Standings
If a team wins all five of their matches, they achieve a Grand Slam, one of the biggest honours in the tournament. In addition, a Grand Slam-winning team is typically awarded extra points to ensure they top the table.
Ultimately, the team with the highest total points at the end of the five rounds is crowned the W6N champion. If teams are tied on points, then points difference and other tie-breakers come into play.
Why the Format Matters for Bettors
From a betting perspective, this format creates consistent opportunities each week. Since there are no knockouts, punters can track form, analyse team momentum, and identify value bets across the tournament. Furthermore, bonus points and attacking intent often influence match outcomes, making markets like total tries, winning margins, and bonus point betting especially appealing for South African players.
Favourites to Win W6N 2026
England
The Red Roses are coming into the competition as the team to beat. They have not only won last year’s world cup but they are on a winning streak of 33 matches. That does not mean that they will have an easy ladies six nations competition.
France
France have been working hard behind the scenes. They came very close to reaching the final last year and came 4th after losing against New Zealand. Les Bleues are ranked 4th in the world and is under the guidance of Francois Ratier. The team features talented up and coming players. These include the two 19 year old players Oihana Tome Belmonte and Sobehian Soqeta. Émilie Boulard one of the top try scorers in the 2025 is also in the squad.
Ireland
Ireland is always a threat in the Six Nations. They made the quarter finals of last year’s women’s rugby world cup losing against France. They came third in last year’s W6N. The team, often referred to as the Green Wave, is coached by Scott Bemand. Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan co-captain the side, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.
Scotland
Scotland comes in as the underdogs in this 6 nations women’s competition. They underperformed in last year’s competition. Coming in fifth behind Italy but made up for it by making the quarter finals in the WRWC. The team faced England in the quarter finals where they lost the match 40-8. Australian Sione Fukofuka is the coach and is Rachel Malcolm is the captain. The experience gained by the team in 2025 makes them a team to look out for.
Round 1 Matches
The start of this year’s Women’s Six Nations 2026 tournament is on the Saturday the 11th of April.
France host Italy in the first match of the competition at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble. The match kicks off at 13:25.
England host Ireland for the biggest clash in the first week at Twickenham. The starting whistle will go off at 15:25.
The last match of the first week of play is between Scotland and Wales. The match kicks off at 17:40 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Betting on the W6N
Betting on the Women’s Six Nations 2026 rugby competition has been very popular in recent years. It offers great odds for teams that are the underdogs. Scotland, France and Ireland have great odds worth of a bet at the Top rugby betting sites. England is the favourite team coming but will their winning streak be broken? Tune in to watch the matches to find out.
If you’re looking to back the Women’s Six Nations, Betway stands out as a top choice for South African punters. The bookmaker actively supports women’s rugby and also offers competitive odds across key W6N fixtures, including match winner, handicaps, and total tries markets. In addition, Betway regularly features sports betting promotions that can boost your value during major tournaments, making it easier to get involved while following the action week by week.
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FAQ
The Women’s Six Nations Championship is Europe’s premier annual women’s rugby tournament, featuring England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. It has been running since 1996 and continues to showcase the best talent in women’s rugby.
The tournament follows a round-robin format where each team plays five matches, facing every other team once. The team with the most points at the end of the competition wins the title, making consistency across all rounds essential.
England are the clear favourites after dominating recent tournaments and winning the last Women’s Rugby World Cup. However, France, Ireland, and even Scotland could challenge, especially with strong squads and improving performances.
The tournament kicks off on 11 April 2026, with opening matches including France vs Italy, England vs Ireland, and Scotland vs Wales.
Popular rugby betting markets include match winner, total tries, handicap betting, and winning margins. Since bonus points reward attacking play, try-based markets often offer great value throughout the tournament.