BBC Sport looks at how the 2024 Women's Six Nations might unfold, with the championship getting under way on Saturday.
Last year saw yet more Women's Six Nations records tumble, but ultimately England lifted the trophy at Twickenham in the spring sunshine.
There is another standalone game for the Red Roses at Twickenham in round four against Ireland, while Wales will play at Principality Stadium for the first time in the final round against Italy.Last year was another bumper one for the Red Roses' trophy cabinet as they bounced back from World Cup disappointment.
This year they face England at home, and will be backed by some big-stadium energy throughout the championship. They open against Ireland in Le Mans , then welcome Italy to Paris , before finishing off against England in Bordeaux . Greg McWilliams has left as head coach with Scott Bemand taking the top job. The former Red Roses assistant coach led the Irish women to victory in WXV3, although the level of competition was far below Six Nations standards.
Back-to-back fifth-place finishes, a tricky fixture list and a union that has dragged its heels around contracts does not bring them bouncing into this tournament. However, the contracts were finally sorted with 24 women confirmed on the Italy roster just 12 days before their first game. Prop Lucia Gai, who made her debut in 2010 and will win her 100th cap if she plays all five games, deserves a special mention. She would become only the second Italian woman to become a centurion after Sara Barattin in 2022.On paper, Scotland's women are flying. A fourth-place finish last year was their best in six years, a WXV2 title in the autumn followed and then Edinburgh produced a strong showing in the Celtic Challenge by finishing second. Results, momentum, depth - tick, tick, tick.
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