Six Nations: Red Roses and France set up Grand Slam decider

The penultimate round of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations is in the books, and stars from across the PWR showed their prowess in spades this weekend.

The Red Roses continued their remarkable winning run by beating Italy 61-33 in Parma, helped by a four-try haul by Marlie Packer.

France then set up a Grand Slam decider, beating Scotland 69-28, and Ireland put in an impressive performance against Wales, winning 33-12 at home.

Packer closes in on try record following Italian spree

A hat-trick was not enough for Marlie Packer in Italy as she crossed the whitewash a whopping four times, showing Red Roses fans the 36-year-old still has plenty left in the tank.

Packer was exceptional from minute one and recorded her seventh try of the tournament so far, taking her to 59 overall, second on the all-time list for the Red Roses.

Sue Day sits at the top of that list with 62, meaning Packer could well surpass Day’s total in the coming months.

The pick of Packer’s scores was her final five-pointer of the day. The back row beat four defenders and expertly transferred the ball from one hand to another in contact, grounding it without knocking it on.

There were impressive performances right across the pitch. Zoe Harrison was excellent from the kicking tee again, and Delaney Burns showed off her work rate and handling skills throughout the 80 minutes.

Haidee Head and Christiana Balogun debuted for the Red Roses off the bench.

Head had previously qualified for five nations (Australia, New Zealand, England, Wales and Ireland) but has ultimately chosen to plant her flag in the English camp.

Balgoun was a late replacement when Maddie Feaunati was ruled out in the warmup with a soft tissue injury.

Wafer and Hogan at the double for Ireland

Aoife Wafer and Brittany Hogan both scored twice in Ireland’s impressive 33-12 victory over Wales in Belfast.

Wafer won Player of the Match in a virtuoso display of physicality and skill that helped the Green Wave notch their second victory of the tournament, including a sumptuous offload to Beibhinn Parsons for the winger’s first-half try.

Young Trailfinders Women full-back Niamh Gallagher made her debut in green, replacing Stacey Flood with 20 minutes to play. Gallagher has impressed for Trailfinders so far this season and will hope that her domestic form translates into another international cap in the final round.

For Wales, the new regime under Sean Lynn showed further signs of improvement following their try bonus point against England.

They frustrated Ireland in defence for large periods and capped off an improved display with Jasmine Joyce’s excellent finish on the end of a pinpoint Lleucu George cross kick.

Scotland fall short as France set up Grand Slam decider

Scotland earned a try bonus in a 69-28 loss against Grand Slam hopefuls France as they continue to improve their performances this Six Nations.

The French were mightily impressive from the off and managed to score in under a minute through Manae Feleu, before the hosts steadied themselves and scored through Rachel Phillips.

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Phillips, on her first start, went on to bag a first-half brace, and the Sale Shark showed off her talents despite the huge pressure her side were under.

France will now face off with the Red Roses for Grand Slam glory at the Atlantic Stadium Bordeaux Metropole next Sunday.