Talking points: Women’s 6 Nations so far

The French pack has?˜played their opening two matches?˜at the kind of pace and level that is required to win you a 6 Nations title and their forward play is the?˜bedrock of their game right now.?˜ Against Italy, the French pack delivered consistent front foot ball?˜and their big?˜ball carriers profited, and while it was certainly tougher against Ireland, Gaelle Mignot and co were smarter and wilier in the tight exchanges. With a decent chunk of their backline in sevens action, France have smartly gone back to their strengths and their driving lineout is back as a force and alongside that, their rucking has been absolutely?˜ferocious at times. It means that even a lighter and less experienced backline is thriving behind a pack going forward, where Elodie Poublan has been a standout in the centre. Their only concern might be?˜that their dominance has not always returned the level of points that their possession and territory might warrant, but with two good wins under their belt they may not be overly concerned. A word for the French?˜efforts?˜off the pitch too ?? their two crowds so far (over 6k at the game against Italy and then over 11k against Ireland) have been?˜simply superb ?? would that more nations had the same support. Brilliant.

England have progressed without purring in this Championship and perhaps the new combination of players plus a relatively?˜new coaching team is simply taking a bit of time to bed in. Certainly they will be pleased to come through their first two away games with two wins, with players like Harriet Miller-Mills and Ruth Laybourn stepping up from under the radar to make their mark alongside the usual England suspects like Sarah Hunter, the captain who is leading from the front as ever. The number of points Italy put on them may be a concern ?? though the Italians are undoubtedly hugely improved ?? and the Irish test at Twickenham is now massive both in the short term for this tournament, and in the more medium term heading into the one year countdown to the World Cup. England have been starting their games slowly?˜so far and they can ill afford that against an Irish side licking their wounds from their loss in France. They have a good record at Twickenham though and they'll know that a win takes them ever closer to what could be an exciting winner-takes-all clash against France on the final day of the Championship.?˜

Ireland may have looked at their loss in France as an opportunity missed, but in truth, they were second best to a more streetwise French pack on the night.?˜ Ireland went into this Championship with ten new names in their squad so a loss away to France in front of a massive home crowd is nothing to be ashamed of, and arguably Tom Tierney??s side are building up their resources very well for their home World Cup next year. Newish faces like Nicki Caughey, Sene Naoupu?˜and Elise O'Byrne-White prove Ireland have plenty of talent out wide, but at times in France there was some naivety to their game when, despite the brilliant efforts of the likes of Paula Fitzpatrick,?˜they couldn??t always pull it together. They showed a clinical edge against Wales that they need to spend the next few weeks rediscovering, as they will surely see the next game as one of their best?˜chances of beating England away for the first time. If they can manage that, they will be right back in the mix.

?˜With their youthful core, Wales have all the elements of a winning picture but have struggled to put it together over the two games so far over 80 minutes, though there are still some real positives for Rhys Edwards. Certainly against Ireland their problems in defence, where they conceded too many penalties which handed Ireland strong positions and chances, coupled with their risky exit strategies, highlighted probably the naivety that comes with some inexperience at this level, but they were much better against Scotland in both of these areas so their lessons are being learned. Wales have both the set piece and the attacking game to trouble anyone, and if they can keep all their players fit, they can definitely test?˜France at home in the next round. Sioned Harries was outstanding against Scotland, with Robyn Wilkins also going well, but Rachel Taylor remains the?˜key player?˜as their talismanic?˜captain, and Wales will be hoping she will have recovered in time for the next match having missed out last weekend.

?˜Italy were disappointing in their opening match against France, having neither the power up front nor the inventiveness out wide on the day to provide any sort of real resistance. But their clash against England perhaps remedied concerns than their results last year were a flash in the pan, and scoring four excellent tries against England was a strong return ?? it will surely?˜have been bitterly disappointing to the Italians that it was not enough to secure what would have been a historic win. Defence has been an issue over?˜the two games ?? they??ve leaked 72 points (more than anyone else) so far - and they will have to tighten up against a Scottish side who will place a massive emphasis on the next game as being genuinely winnable. In Manuela Furlan they have a real attacking star, but it??s their rearguard they must focus on.

?˜Two games, two losses and it would seem it??s a case of same old same old for Scotland - ?˜or is it? Under Shade Munro, who came in after last year??s Championship, Scotland are markedly improved from last year. They are playing with real ambition with an emphasis on high intensive continuity and a certain amount of risk to their attacking game. The issue they??ve had over the first two games is matching that ambition with accuracy ?? a balance they haven??t got quite right yet but one that if they improve on, they could certainly travel to Italy and win in the next round. Their defence has also tended to be a bit too narrow at times but there is no doubting their improvement and a win over the Italians in the next round would be a massive result. Either way players like Megan Gaffney, Jade Konkel and Lana Skeldon are all stepping up the challenge and Scotland's future suddenly looks a lot brighter.