Women's Six Nations | Power Rankings: Round One

1. France 🇫🇷

While England won, France looked like the most complete side this weekend. After a nervous opening 20 minutes in Grenoble, Les Bleues unleashed a terrifying second-half surge. Scoring 40 points against a disciplined Italian side - with six debutantes in the mix - proves that François Ratier’s "fresh cycle" is ahead of schedule. They look clinical, balanced, and ready for a Grand Slam charge.

2. England 🌹

It feels harsh to drop the Red Roses after a 33-12 bonus-point win and their 34th consecutive victory, but John Mitchell himself admitted they were "clunky." Handling errors and a dropped ball over the line showed some early-season rust. They remain the team to beat, but they’ll need to sharpen their connections before the bigger tests arrive.

3. Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Winning in Cardiff is never easy, but Scotland showed incredible tactical maturity. Helen Nelson’s game management was world-class, and their ability to execute chip-and-chase tries out of nothing was the difference. They survived an 85-minute arm wrestle, proving they have the fitness and the mental grit to compete for a top-three finish.

4. Ireland ☘️

Despite the loss, Ireland’s stock rose this weekend. Holding England scoreless for the first 10 minutes and winning the final quarter 12-5 at Allianz Stadium is a massive statement of intent. They didn't roll over; they fought for every inch and showed they have the conditioning to stay in games against the world's best.

5. Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Wales showed flashes of brilliance - particularly the returning Sisilia Tuipulotu and debutant Jorja Aiono - but they will be kicking themselves. Losing a game that was there for the taking in the 85th minute after dominating territory for long periods is a tough pill to swallow. The Welsh warrior spirit is there, but set-piece consistency is needed if they are to climb up the rankings.

6. Italy 🇮🇹

Italy were much better than the 40-7 scoreline suggests. For the first half-hour in France, they were the dominant force, pinning Les Bleues back with 83% territory. However, they lacked the finishing power to turn that pressure into points. They have the structure, but they need to find a way to score when they’re on top to avoid these heavy late-game skews.