6 Nations & qualification tables (after 3 rounds)

With two rounds remaining of possibly the closest and most exciting Women's Six Nations ever,the tournament is still wide open.

Irelandremain in the box seat. They are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament, but it can be safely assumed that the words "Grand Slam" will not be on anyone's lips yet. With their first ever Triple Crown under their belts, they will have crucial home advantage for their game against their biggest challengers - France - in the next round. They also have a significant advantage in points difference, which could prove crucial in the final reckoning.

Francehave recovered well after a shock defeat in the opening round - and will now regret that lapse as otherwise they too might now have a Grand Slam in their sights. They will go to Ireland knowing what to expect.The fixture has almost invariably been the game of the tournament in recent years -three of the last four games between the two teams have been decided by two points or less.

Italywill be desparately disappointed that they lost to Wales, not only because they now slip to third in the Six Nations, but even more importantly it has allowed Wales to draw level in the race for World Cup qualification. The two teams are now so close that every penalty and try scored or conceded in the final two games will count. The identity of the team that will go straight to Paris,and the one that will have to travel to Madrid, will not be known for certain until the last kick of the last game in this year's Championship.

Englandare in the unprecedented position of being in fourth place after three games, with only the slightest mathematical chance of retaining the title. It has been quite a learning experience for the young players in the 2013 squad - but one which all of them will be benefit from in the long term.

ForWalesthe 2013 Six Nations is almost irrelevant now - its all about the World Cup,and the weekend's win in Italy will have been a huge boost. As with Italy, every point will now count and the next 160 minutes will be some of the most tense the Welsh women have ever played.

FinallyScotlandnow know for certain that they must travel to Madrid in May, and that they will do so as second seeds - meaning that they will have to out-perform Spain and Samoa if they are to play in the World Cup next year. However, they have shown against against England and Ireland that they  can be a huge threat to the best teams for periods of the game - what they now need to learn is how to sustain this for the entire 80 minutes.

Six Nations 2013 (after three rounds)

European World Cup qualification

(The best two Six Nations teams, based on 2012 and 2013 results (excluding France and England) qualify for the finals - the other two teams will have to play-off with four other teams in a final European eliminator in May, in Madrid).