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, with the Women's Six Nations kicking off on April 11, the team is ready to put on a show once again, with 'Swing Low' set to energize their tournament opener against Ireland at the Allianz Stadium. Meg Jones will captain the side for the first time, with over 75,000 fans expected to attend. Former captain Zoe Aldcroft is among four players absent due to pregnancy. Jones said, 'Our role is to entertain and provide a product that people want to come back and watch. We always say how amazing the fans are and how much they give us energy and a boost.' England hasn't faced Ireland since last year's Six Nations, where they secured a 49-5 win in Cork, and 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, has selected a familiar 32-woman squad, including 25 World Cup winners. Ireland will be captained by Erin King, who missed the World Cup due to a knee injury, and will face a strong English side that includes wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, who will play against her wife, Irish hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, for the first time. France, under new management with Francois Ratier, will again challenge England's dominance, while Ireland, Scotland, and Wales look to reshape the tournament's hierarchy with renewed squads and coaching teams.