What Is 2014 Women's Six Nations Championship

Overview

The 2014 Women's Six Nations Championship was the 13th edition of the annual rugby union competition for women's national teams in Europe. It featured the same six countries as the men's tournament: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. The tournament served as a key platform for elite women's rugby ahead of the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup later that year.

Played from February 8 to March 15, 2014, the competition followed a round-robin format where each team faced the others once. England emerged as champions, securing a Grand Slam by winning all five of their matches—a dominant performance that underscored their status as the top team in European women's rugby at the time.

• England defeated France 26–12 in their final match, sealing the Grand Slam and tournament title in decisive fashion on March 15, 2014.
• France finished second in the standings after losing only to England, narrowly edging out Ireland for runner-up honors based on points difference.
• Ireland recorded their best finish since 2009, placing third after winning three of their five matches, including a 17–10 win over Scotland.
• Italy achieved a historic 20–15 victory over Scotland in Parma, marking only their second win in the tournament’s history at that point.
• Wales remained winless but showed improvement, losing narrowly to Ireland by just seven points and pushing France to a 10-point margin.

How It Works

The Women's Six Nations follows the same structure and rules as the men's tournament, with minor scheduling differences. Each team plays five matches over six weekends, with fixtures spread across February and March. The team with the most wins claims the championship; if tied, points difference determines the winner.

• Grand Slam: Awarded when a team wins all five of their matches. England achieved this in 2014, the first time since 2010 they completed a clean sweep.
• Points System: Teams earn 2 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss; no bonus points were used in the 2014 edition.
• Fixture Schedule: Matches were played over five weekends, beginning February 8 with England vs. Ireland and concluding March 15 with England vs. France.
• Home Advantage: Each nation hosts one match per tournament; England hosted France at Twickenham Stoop in front of a record 6,000+ fans.
• Player Eligibility: All players must be citizens of the nation they represent, with no allowances for residency-based selection in this tournament.
• Refereeing: Matches were officiated by World Rugby-certified referees, including Alhambra Nievas, who later became a pioneer in women's rugby officiating.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares final standings and performance metrics from the 2014 Women's Six Nations Championship:

England's dominance was evident not only in their perfect record but also in their points differential of +89—the highest in the tournament. France remained competitive but could not overcome England's physicality and tactical precision. Meanwhile, Italy's win over Scotland marked a turning point in their development, signaling growing competitiveness in the lower tier of the championship.

Why It Matters

The 2014 Women's Six Nations was a pivotal moment for women's rugby, showcasing rising standards and increased visibility. It served as a critical preparatory tournament ahead of the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup, where many of the same teams would compete.

• England's Grand Slam victory boosted national support, leading to increased funding and media coverage for women's rugby in the UK.
• France solidified their status as England's main rival, setting the stage for a competitive rivalry that continues today.
• The tournament featured improved broadcast coverage, with select matches streamed online, expanding access beyond live attendees.
• Player development was evident, with emerging stars like Emily Scarratt and Marlie Packer gaining international recognition.
• Italy's win over Scotland demonstrated progress in tier-two rugby nations, encouraging investment in grassroots programs.
• The event highlighted the need for bonus points, a system later introduced to incentivize attacking play in future editions.

Overall, the 2014 Women's Six Nations Championship was more than a regional competition—it was a catalyst for growth, professionalism, and greater recognition in women's sports, setting a foundation for future advancements in the sport.