England leads Women's Six Nations favorites for 2025 title

The Women’s Six Nations tournament is set to begin, with England as the favorites to win for the seventh time in a row. With coach John Mitchell at the helm and new captain Zoe Aldcroft leading the team, England aims to test new combinations as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup later this year. One notable player to watch is Emma Sing, a top scorer in the Premiership who may make her return to the team. Mitchell plans to give opportunities to new players, creating excitement among fans. France, under coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, will seek improvement after a disappointing autumn season. They hope to bounce back from losses to Canada and New Zealand. However, the team is missing key players due to injuries, including Romane Ménager and Assia Khalfaoui. Gabrielle Vernier stands out as a key player for the team. France hopes to break their pattern of finishing second repeatedly. Ireland is considered a team to watch this tournament, having achieved surprising victories over top teams like New Zealand. Coach Scott Bemand aims to build on their recent successes, despite the absence of player Sam Monaghan due to injury. Aoife Wafer is a breakout star to follow, showing much promise. Ireland is likely to finish around third place. Italy, now coached by Fabio Roselli, faces challenges in their quest to return to former glories. Despite potential, Italy has struggled to close out games effectively. Their opener against England will be particularly tough. Beatrice Rigoni is a player who can make a significant impact, but they might finish in fifth place. Scotland, with coach Bryan Easson, hopes to climb the standings after years of underperformance. With players like Fran McGhie showcasing speed and skill, Scotland could push for a better finish. Easson feels positive about the team's depth and potential. Wales, led by new coach Sean Lynn, has faced a difficult year with a wooden spoon finish last season and ongoing contract issues. Lynn aims to change the culture within the team and improve performance. Alisha Joyce-Butchers is a key player, though she will miss the opener. Wales is likely to finish in sixth place yet again, despite hopes for better results.