Women's Six Nations 2024: Guide to the teams as England seek to retain title

Last year saw yet more Women's Six Nations records tumble, but ultimately England lifted the trophy at Twickenham in the spring sunshine.

No other country has touched the silverware since France in 2018, and there is no disguising the fact that the Red Roses and Les Bleues are expected to lead the way once again.

However, the precious commodity of World Cup 2025 qualification for the next-highest ranked side gives other teams something extra to fight for.

There is another standalone game for the Red Roses at Twickenham in round four against Ireland, while Wales will play at Principality Stadium for the first time in the final round against Italy.

You can follow all the games live across the BBC - and here is everything you need to know heading into the first round on Saturday.

2023: 1st, Grand Slam winners

Last year was another bumper one for the Red Roses' trophy cabinet as they bounced back from World Cup disappointment.

Their hunt for a sixth successive title and third Grand Slam in a row is spearheaded by head coach John Mitchell.

Having joined up with the squad during their victorious WXV1 campaign in New Zealand last autumn, this tournament is his first Women's Six Nations and the New Zealander wants England to play "quicker" than before.

How Mitchell discovers his best back-row, fly-half and centre combinations will dominate discussions this campaign.

In a positional switch dictated by the England management, the returning Emily Scarratt is expected to play at inside centre, having won nearly all her 108 caps at outside centre. The 34-year-old will look to cement her place in the squad before next year's home World Cup after being out for 13 months with a neck injury.

Captain Marlie Packer, the current World Rugby Women's Player of the Year, is expected to win her 100th cap in Parma in England's opening match against Italy on Sunday.

2023: 2nd

Had France been given an extra five minutes they might have ruined the Red Roses' Grand Slam party at Twickenham last year.

The visitors paid the price for a poor first half and left themselves too much to do to overcome a 33-0 half-time deficit.

This year they face England at home, and will be backed by some big-stadium energy throughout the championship. They open against Ireland in Le Mans (capacity 25,000), then welcome Italy to Paris (19,000), before finishing off against England in Bordeaux (34,000).

It is this kind of ambition that makes you wonder if the Women's Lions have missed a trick not taking their first tour over the English Channel to France, instead of New Zealand.

With France hosting the Olympics in the summer, they have brought back just one sevens player in fly-half Caroline Drouin to bolster the squad. They have talent throughout the team, but a long-overdue win against England will depend on whether they can finally match the pace and power of the Red Roses over a full 80 minutes.

2023: 6th

Ireland finishing with the Wooden Spoon last year made uncomfortable viewing. The Irish women's narrative since 2021 has been one of player unrest, questions over the commitment of their union to the women's programme and poor results.

Greg McWilliams has left as head coach with Scott Bemand taking the top job. The former Red Roses assistant coach led the Irish women to victory in WXV3, although the level of competition was far below Six Nations standards.

Captain Nichola Fryday announced her international retirement, and the introduction of Edel McMahon and Sam Monahan as co-captains has been a popular move. Having already qualified for the Olympics, the Irish sevens players have been included in the squad.

The days of the 2013 Grand Slam and 2015 championship win appear a long way behind Ireland, but with the Wolfhounds winning the 2024 Celtic Challenge, green shoots might be about to appear.

2023: 5th

Italy have always had the potential to shake up the Women's Six Nations, but shocks such as the win over France in 2019 to finish second have been lacking of late.

Back-to-back fifth-place finishes, a tricky fixture list and a union that has dragged its heels around contracts does not bring them bouncing into this tournament. However, the contracts were finally sorted with 24 women confirmed on the Italy roster just 12 days before their first game.

The positive news is around the number of women playing in the Premiership Women's Rugby competition in England. The likes of Silvia Turani, Beatrice Rigoni, Sara Seye and Sara Tounesi could form the core of the Italian squad.

Captained by Elisa Giordano, who missed the 2023 tournament through injury, there is confidence to be found if they can build a less erratic gameplan.

Prop Lucia Gai, who made her debut in 2010 and will win her 100th cap if she plays all five games, deserves a special mention. She would become only the second Italian woman to become a centurion after Sara Barattin in 2022.

2023: 4th

On paper, Scotland's women are flying. A fourth-place finish last year was their best in six years, a WXV2 title in the autumn followed and then Edinburgh produced a strong showing in the Celtic Challenge by finishing second. Results, momentum, depth - tick, tick, tick.

Here comes the 'but' - their fixture list is horrible. With home games against England and France, all the pressure is on them to pick up wins away from home. They have also lost their star player in Jade Konkel-Roberts to injury.

The task is huge but the depth of the squad is where Scotland can finally hang their hat. Just looking at tight-head prop, where they have the likes of Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn and Christine Belisle all putting in a shift for their Premiership sides, shows their potential.

2023: 3rd

Wales now have more than 30 players on full-time contracts. The investment by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) into its women's programme has been swift and is accelerating.

However, that investment needs to be repaid with performances. Anything less than another third-place finish and that precious World Cup qualification secured, will be disappointment for Wales.

Closing the gap to England and France would also be significant, not just for Wales but the validity of the tournament and its structure going forward. In 2023, Wales lost by 56 points to England and by 25 points to France - if they can get that 81-point gap closer to 40 we will all be getting very excited.

Gloucester-Hartpury fly-half Lleucu George will be tasked with handling much of this pressure following the retirement of Elinor Snowsill. The 24-year-old has the opportunity to become a Wales great.

With Sioned Harries also hanging up her boots, this is a tournament where the likes of Sisilia Tuipulotu and Keira Bevan need to come of age and put on a show that will entice the Welsh public to go down to the Principality for a showdown with Italy in round five.