Whilst most people have calmed back down after the excitement of the 2024 men’s Six Nations, with it now being a distant memory for most, the international action is not yet over. For the last two weekends, this year’s women’s tournament has been taking centre stage, and those who have been keeping a close eye on it will attest to the fact that it has been just as engaging an affair.
With the tournament now two weeks old and in the midst of its first break period, it seems like a good moment to take a step back and to assess all of the action that has taken place so far, and this short tactical analysis will do just that by highlighting three players that have caught the eye during the opening two rounds and whose performances have been and will continue to be pivotal to their teams’ fortunes.
Helena Rowland
Defending champions England went into this year’s Women’s Six Nations with a new face at the helm as former men’s team defence coach John Mitchell formally took charge following the departure of long-serving and highly successful predecessor Simon Middleton last year.
It would have been understandable if there had been a few teething problems as he and the players had adjusted to each other, but no such concerns have come to fruition so far, with England securing commanding wins in Italy and at home to Wales to get their title defence off to the perfect start.
That is not to say that Mitchell has simply gone along with what has been done previously though, and there have been signs that he is looking to put his stamp on the side. One of the things that he has altered has been Emily Scarratt’s starting role, with her predominantly playing at outside centre in her career but being used at 12 under the New Zealander so far.
Whilst that move did initially raise a few eyebrows, analysis of their performances has indicated that it has worked out well on the whole, with Scarratt now able to control proceedings from further inside the pitch and her Loughborough Lightning teammate Helena Rowland having more time and space outside her to demonstrate the pace and sharp changes of direction that she has always had in her locker.
In many ways, Rowland has been one of England’s most dangerous players in the opening two rounds so far, particularly with the ball in hand, and, whilst Leicester Tigers Women’s Meg Jones will be a highly effective replacement for her, there is no doubting that she was on course for a strong tournament until her tournament-ending injury.
Pauline Bourdon Sansus
England’s closest challengers for the title are widely expected to be France, with the two of them a long way ahead of the other four sides in the competition when it comes to overall squad depth and quality.
They too have started their campaign in the best possible way, with wins at home to Ireland and away in Scotland being secured, and what has helped them to pose so many questions is their fast-paced tactics, with it clear to see how their game is based on quick passes and sharp transitions as players rarely hold onto the ball for more than a couple of seconds. It is not a game plan that is easy to execute, but France know what they are doing and each player understands their role, and it is that that has made them so efficient in possession.
This is not to say that there haven’t been a few who have stood out, and one that has continually caught the eye is scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus. In both of their games so far, she has played a central role in moving the ball around the pitch and on allowing her team to both locate gaps and to exploit them, and her individual ability to make sniping runs around the fringes has also led to her both scoring tries and setting them up for those around her.
Against Ireland, it was this really made the difference and allowed them to dominate proceedings, and she will certainly be a player that France will be relying on if they are to topple England from the summit and to secure the title.
Sisilia Tuipulotu
Outside of the top two, it is a much tighter field, with all four of Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Wales having plenty to be positive about after the first two weeks of action and things that they will know that they need to work on if they are to achieve their pre-tournament aims.
One big positive for the last of those four has been the strong start to the tournament made by Sisilia Tuipulotu, with the Gloucester-Hartpury front rower proving to be just as big a handful as she has been for her club side and demonstrating to many why she is among the best in her position in the global women’s game.
It is not only her carrying abilities that need to be highlighted in this scout report though, but also her desire to support teammates and to protect the ball whenever it does go to ground. Against England at Ashton Gate, it was her introduction that really helped Wales to slow their hosts’ progress down and to start to test them in different ways, with Tuipulotu working closely with those around her and preventing the ball from being coughed up as easily as it had been before her arrival.
Props don’t often get the credit that their efforts deserve, both in the men’s and women’s games, but there are a number in the latter who have always been effective around the field, both in open play and at set pieces. Tuipulotu is certainly one of those, and Wales will hope that she stays available for every game as they strive to keep progressing and to show what they are really about.