What Is 2007 Women's Six Nations Championship

Overview

The 2007 Women's Six Nations Championship marked the sixth edition of the annual rugby union competition featuring the top European national teams for women. Held between February 2 and March 17, the tournament followed a round-robin format where each team played the others once, earning points based on match outcomes.

England emerged as dominant champions, winning all five of their matches to claim their fourth consecutive title. France finished in second place with four victories, while Italy failed to secure a win and ended at the bottom of the table. The competition highlighted growing competitiveness in women's rugby across Europe.

• England defeated Scotland 40–3 on February 2 in the opening match, setting the tone for their dominant campaign with a strong offensive performance.
• France beat Wales 20–13 on February 4, showcasing improved defensive organization and marking an early statement in their bid for second place.
• Ireland lost to Italy 15–22 on February 11, a rare upset that briefly raised hopes for Italy’s improved competitiveness despite their eventual last-place finish.
• England defeated France 20–15 on February 25 in a tightly contested match, securing a crucial win that effectively sealed their championship hopes.
• Wales finished fourth with two wins, defeating Italy and Ireland while narrowly losing to France and England, reflecting moderate progress in their development.

Match Schedule & Results

The tournament spanned five match rounds, with games played primarily on weekends. Each nation faced the other five, with victories earning 2 points and draws 1 point under standard Six Nations rules.

• Round 1: February 2–4, 2007 featured Scotland vs. England and France vs. Wales, setting early momentum with England’s decisive 40–3 win.
• Round 2: February 11 included Ireland vs. Italy and Scotland vs. Wales, with Italy’s 22–15 win over Ireland surprising many analysts.
• Round 3: February 18 saw England face Ireland, winning 47–0 in a dominant display of attacking rugby at Twickenham.
• Round 4: February 25 featured the pivotal England vs. France match, where England prevailed 20–15 in a physical encounter at Le Parc des Sports in Lyon.
• Round 5: March 17 concluded with Scotland vs. Ireland and Italy vs. France, with France closing strongly with a 45–0 win to finish second.
• Final standings were determined by total points, with England at 10 points (5 wins), France at 8 (4 wins), and Italy at 0 (0 wins).

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of final standings, match results, and point totals across the six participating nations in the 2007 Women's Six Nations Championship.

England’s superior points differential of +120 underscored their dominance, while Italy conceded nearly 37 points per game on average. Wales and Ireland tied on points but were separated by points difference, with Wales finishing higher. The data reflects both England’s consistency and the developmental gap still present in European women’s rugby at the time.

Why It Matters

The 2007 Women's Six Nations was significant in advancing the visibility and competitiveness of women's rugby in Europe. It demonstrated England’s sustained excellence while highlighting areas for growth in lower-ranked teams.

• England’s Grand Slam victory marked their fourth straight title, reinforcing their status as Europe’s leading women’s rugby nation during that era.
• France’s strong performance confirmed their role as England’s primary rival, winning four matches and nearly challenging for the title.
• Italy’s win over Ireland was a milestone, representing only their second victory in the tournament’s history and signaling potential for future competitiveness.
• Increased media coverage during the 2007 tournament helped promote women’s rugby, with select matches broadcast on national networks in the UK and France.
• Player development pathways in nations like Wales and Scotland began receiving more investment following this season to close the performance gap.
• The tournament laid groundwork for future professionalism, influencing later decisions to align women’s fixtures with men’s calendars for greater exposure.

The 2007 Women's Six Nations Championship served as a pivotal moment in the sport’s evolution, combining elite performance with growing institutional support across Europe.