Red Roses Set to Dazzle in Six Nations Opener

It has been 196 days since England's Red Roses claimed their third Women's Rugby World Cup title, thrilling a record-breaking crowd at Twickenham. Now, as the Women's Six Nations kicks off on April 11, the team is poised to entertain once more, with their iconic anthem Swing Low leading the charge in their tournament opener against Ireland at the Allianz Stadium. Meg Jones will captain the side for the first time, while former captain Zoe Aldcroft is among four players absent due to pregnancy, as over 75,000 fans are expected to welcome the team home. "It's fantastic to know we can maintain those numbers after the World Cup. As a nation, we've always led the way," Jones said. "Our role is to entertain and provide a product that fans want to come back and watch. We always praise our amazing fans and the energy they give us. I recall the World Cup final and the incredible echo of Swing Low around the stadium, cheering us on. I have full faith that our fans will be our 16th player in that game." England hasn't faced Ireland since last year's Six Nations, where they stormed to a 49-5 win in Cork. They're expected to extend their record-breaking 33-test winning streak. With expectations high for an eighth consecutive Six Nations title and a Grand Slam, coach John Mitchell, unbeaten in two years, faces pressure to deliver. He's selected a familiar 32-woman squad, with 25 World Cup winners returning and Haineala Lutui, daughter of former Tonga men's captain Aleki Lutui, earning her first cap. The Irish side, captained by Erin King after missing the World Cup due to injury, will face a strong English team. Hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald will mark her 50th Irish cap by facing her wife, England wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, for the first time. France, led by new coach Francois Ratier, will challenge England's dominance. Ireland, Scotland, and Wales enter the Six Nations with renewed optimism, seeking to disrupt the familiar hierarchy. Wales aims to break its crowd record when hosting Scotland, while Scotland begins a new era under coach Sione Fukofuka.