GUINNES WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS: ALL WILL BE DECIDED IN ONE MONTH

If you listen carefully you can hear them: the cheers of the Welsh fans celebrating the triumph of the Red Dragons, who have lifted up to the sky their Guinness Six Nations 2021 trophy. This is their 40th trophy in the history of this extraordinary national team, one more than the neighboring England, no less. Further down, in Paris, the cheers of joy of the Scottish fans are still lingering in the air. The success was one with a capital S: after 22 years the Scots have finally defeated the French in their home, even scoring a decisive assist --to borrow the basketball expression, quite fitting here-- to Wales for their final victory. And that’s not a small thing. 

WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS. ALL DECIDED IN ONE MONTH

As the chorus of cheers quiets down, the attention is now all for the Women’s Six Nations, after it has finally found a temporary location after uncertainties and delays. The four April weekends will be devoted to the challenges amongst the women’s representatives of France, Wales, England, Island, Italy and Scotland. Covid-related restrictions and the qualification process for the World Cup and the National championships have determined the new formula: two three-team groups, one way matches and the award assigned during the fourth weekend between the firsts of the two groups.

 BALANCED CHALLENGES AND GREAT ANTICIPATION FOR THE ITALIAN WOMEN

England, Scotland and Italy on one side, France, Ireland and Wales on the other. The first weekend of April will see the challenge between England, currently the title holder, and Scotland at Castle Park in Doncaster, while France will face Wales on the grass of the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes.  We will have to wait until the second weekend to see the Italian team. At the Lanfranchi in Parma, the “Azzurre” will host and face England. The blue ladies have undeniably gifted the lovers of the oval ball with great emotions and gratifications, certainly more than their male colleagues and in this competition they are well  at the level of all the other participating national teams.

 26 YEARS OF WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS

Started in 1996 as Women’s Home Nations’ Championship, a competition amongst the four rugby federations based in the English isles, after various configurations of numbers and participants, the current Women’s Guinness Six Nations is identical to the older male tournament.  What is about to start is the 26th edition. So far, Wales, Scotland and England have always played it, with England being in the hall of fame with 16 victories, followed by France with 6, Ireland with 2 and Scotland with 1. Italy joined the competition in  2007 and reached a prestigious 2nd place in 2019.

MACRON BY THE SIDE OF ITS TEAMS

As it has already happened for the men’s, three national teams are wearing Macron: Wales, Italy and Scotland will hit the field with a Macron Hero on their chest. For several years already, the brand logo has been accompanying these women’s national teams, providing them with technical wear and merchandising. Their relationship is based on a daily collaboration and an all around commitment that confirms the leadership of the Italian brand in the international world of rugby.

GAME SPIRIT, SPORT SPIRIT

For Macron, sport has no gender, no ethnicity, no age, no limits. The company has embraced a sport philosophy and culture that well coincides with the spirit that animates a discipline like rugby, where team spirit and hard work are directed to the achievement of a common target and every single member has a specific role in reaching the final victory, as well as the faculty of reacting and making changes. The Macron Hero printed on the shirts of these women’s nations represents all this, and will carry a message of shared sport values.