The second round of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations mirrors the opening weekend in that there are two games on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Ireland and France are the first teams in action as Musgrave Park in Cork plays host to a women’s international for the second time, kick-off 15:15 BST.
The teams experienced differing fortunes in round one with Les Bleues battling past Italy in Parma to win 22-12, while Ireland were second-best to Wales in Cardiff, losing 31-5.
Next up this Saturday, kick-off 17:30, is the encounter between Scotland and Wales at the DAM Health Stadium in Edinburgh.
While Wales kicked off their campaign in style, Scotland conceded 10 tries in a 58-7 defeat to England in Newcastle.
Scotland finished the game strongly, though, and will be looking to build on that in what should be a much closer contest.
Then on Sunday, at 15:00, England welcome Italy to Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.
🏟️ Nothing beats playing for your country at home 🏠#IREFRA #TikTokW6N #OurCharge pic.twitter.com/QwJqXqXD3h
— TikTok Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) March 29, 2023
England’s status under threat
A first-ever defeat to Italy in 22 matches would not only send shockwaves around the women’s game but also knock England off top spot in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini.
While England cannot increase their 1.10-point lead over New Zealand, a defeat by the Azzurre would see them lose either two or three points, depending on the margin.
Either way, their new total would be inferior to New Zealand’s, allowing the Black Ferns to become the number one ranked team in the world as well as world champions.
Italy cannot improve on fifth place if they beat England but could close to just 0.17 points behind Canada if the North Americans lose by more than 15 points against USA in the opening match of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series in Madrid.
Like England, France cannot improve their rating with victory over Ireland due to the 17.12 points between the sides before home weighting is factored in.
France also will not fall from third place even if beaten by Ireland as Canada can only gain a maximum of 0.45 rating points from victory over the USA, which would still leave them well adrift of Les Bleues.
As for Ireland, they could reclaim eighth place from Wales even in defeat. But for that to happen Wales need to lose to Scotland.
Scotland will fall out of the top 10 for the first time since August last year if they suffer a second defeat in the Championship.
High stakes in Pacific Four opener
Turning attention to the Pacific Four Series, sixth place in the rankings is the prize at stake for the USA if they can upset the formbook and beat neighbours Canada.
The Women’s Eagles will move above Australia if they can do what they have failed to achieve in the last seven meetings and win. Two of those fixtures came at last year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Fifth place is also within their reach if the Women’s Eagles beat Canada and Italy lose to England.
The other test in Madrid between Spain and South Africa also counts towards the rankings and could lead to some changes.
A victorious Spain can only improve on 11th place if Scotland suffer a defeat against Wales.
The Springbok Women would not fall down the rankings in defeat as there is too big a points cushion between themselves and Russia below.
South Africa won the series 2-0 when the teams met on back-to-back weekends last August and another victory will see them move above Las Leonas if they win by more than 15 points.
If that occurs, Spain will drop to their lowest-ever position of 13th with the Springbok Women moving up to 12th.
