England vs Ireland Opens 2026 Women's Six Nations

England's Red Roses face Ireland in the opening match of the 2026 Women's Six Nations on Saturday at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, with kickoff set for 2:25 p.m. BST before a record crowd of more than 75,000 spectators. The world champions, who secured their third Rugby World Cup title last September by defeating Canada 34-22 in front of 81,885 fans at the same venue, enter the tournament on a 33-game winning streak and in pursuit of an eighth consecutive championship.

Ireland arrive as underdogs but approach the clash with optimism. Centre Eve Higgins described the atmosphere as a "cauldron-like" occasion, stating, "We've nothing to lose, genuinely. We've nothing to lose and everything to gain." Head coach Scott Bemand echoed that sentiment, noting his team has grown in confidence since their 2024 visit to Twickenham, where England won 88-10 before 48,000 supporters. "These are the occasions that we want to be part of," Bemand said. "If we get the performance right, the result will take care of itself."

Bemand named a squad blending experience and opportunity for the opener. Captain Erin King, a 22-year-old flanker sidelined by a knee injury during last year's Six Nations,...