Rugby League
Women’s Six Nations 2026: England and France Look to Extend Grand Slam Push
William Hill News look ahead to the three fixtures in Round 3 of the 2026 Women’s Six Nations, as England host Wales in Bristol, France host a dangerous Ireland side in Clermont, while Italy and Scotland fight for crucial points in Parma.
Women’s Six Nations Round 3 Predictions:
- England vs Wales – England win
- Italy vs Scotland – Scotland win
- France vs Ireland – France win
England vs Wales: Red Roses show no signs of slowing down
There is a ruthlessness to England right now that is difficult to quantify, the Red Roses have scored 117 points so far in the competition, thanks to a whopping 84-7 demolition of Scotland at Murrayfield and a 33-12 win over Ireland at Twickenham. Their ability to convert attacking returns into tries week-in, week-out is astonishing and they show no signs of drying up.
Ashton Gate provides a slightly different backdrop from Murrayfield, but the narrative is unlikely to change. Wales arrive off the back of the 38-7 defeat to France in Cardiff, a game in which Les Blues were held at a 7-7 draw at the half, but proceeded to run riot in the second half, suggesting that Wales don’t quite have what it takes to see out the world’s best.
England are William Hill’s shortest outright favourite to win the tournament (1/16) and nothing from their two opening performances suggest they are under any threat, and this feels like a fixture where the Red Roses can step up another gear.
England vs Wales Prediction: England to win (1/1000)
Italy vs Scotland: Two Teams with a point to prove in Parma
This bottom of the table clash in Parma provides the tightest contest of the weekend as the markets suggest. Italy and Wales come into Round 3 with just a point to their name, so the result in Parma is crucial to shaping the race to avoid the wooden spoon, as England look set to topple Wales.
Scotland showed promise when narrowly defeating Wales 24-19 in Round 1 before being dismantled by England in Round 2. Italy on the other hand have failed to turn up into their two opening contests, suffering high margin defeats to France and Ireland.
Scotland’s win over Wales in Round 1 favours them here, but it might be a more competitive contest than it first appears as Italy have the advantage of a home crowd.
Italy vs Scotland Prediction: Scotland to win (21/10)
France vs Ireland: Clermont Showdown Revives World Cup Rivalry
The final fixture of the weekend arrives under the floodlights in Clermont, and it carries significant weight beyond the league table. The teams meet here for the first time since their Rugby World Cup quarter-final showdown, which saw France narrowly beat Ireland 18-13 in a nail-biting battle.
France have been imperious in their first two matches, albeit against the two bottom teams, but their second half performance against Wales have underlined them as England’s most credible challengers for the Grand Slam.
Ireland will draw confidence form their Round 2 bonus-point victory which saw them put nine tries past Italy. However, the stat to cling to might be the fact that Ireland haven’t beaten France since 2017 and replicating that task will be considerable feat as the visitors.
France vs Ireland Prediction: France win (1/16)
*Odds subject to change, prices accurate at time of writing.
