Teams and fixtures for Six Nations opener

Scotland-France the big one

The Women's Six Nations kicks off this weekend with matches in Spain, Eales and France.

France are the champions but England will, always, challenge mightily as will the Scots.

There is a World Cup in Wales later in the year, which means that competition for a place will be greater. In the Six nations it may well be the team coming last which drops out. Last season Ireland were last, Spain third, Wales second last. But in the European Championships, Wales were fourth, Ireland fifth and Spain sixth.

Ireland and Spain meet in the opening round this year, in Madrid.

Ireland have had a match against England Development to warm up and won easily. Spain played against a side from Perpignan and won easily. In theory Spain would be stronger this year as they went in for team building last year and the young players should have more experience.

Scotland play France in France, which is a tough start. Scotland have two uncapped players in their side - Sarah Mee of Watsonians and Gail Russell of Hillhead/Jordanhill.

England have a teenage centre in Michaela Staniford.

The fixtures with match officials and the teams are below:

France vs Scotland at Roubaix
Referee: Sabin Cortabarría (Spain)
Touch judges: tbc (both France)

Wales vs England at Cardiff Arms Park
Referee: Colin Stanley (Ireland)
Touch judges: Robert Mota, Jason Langdon (both Wales)

Spain vs Ireland at Ciudad Universitaria Stadium in Madrid
Referee: Jean-Luc Rebollal (France)
Touch Judges: Felix Villegas, Carmen Pareja (both Spain)

Teams:

England: 15 Sue Day, 14 Charlotte Barras, 13 Michaela Staniford, 12 Paula George, 11 Kim Shaylor, 10 Karen Andrew, 9 Jo Yapp (captain), 8 Catherine Spencer, 7 Helen Clayton, 6 Shannon Baker, 5 Rachel Vickers, 4 Jenny Sutton, 3 Vanessa Gray , 2 Selina Rudge, 1 Rochelle Clarke.
Replacements: 16 Ann OFlynn, 17 Vanessa Huxford, 18 Karen Jones, 19 Lois Moulding, 20 Amy Turner, 21 Susie Appleby, 22 Emily Cooke

France: 15 Christelle Le Duff, 14 Catherine De Villers, 13 Lucie  Elodie, 12 Sandrine Agricole, 11 Marion Talayrac, 10 Estelle Sartini (captain), 9 Stéphanie Provost, 8 Sandra Jaureguiberry, 7 Delphine Plantet, 6 Aline Sagols, 5 Corinne Devroute,, 4 Maylis Bonnin, 3 Fanny Gelis, 2 Laetitia Salles, 1  Danièle Irazu,
Replacements: Anne Sophie Canizares, Vivat, Rosa Marce, Julie Jenevein, Clothilde  Flaugere, Julie Pujol, Dalila Boukerma

Ireland: 15 Amanda Greensmith, 14 Nuala Ni Chadhain, 13 Suzanne Fleming,12 Patrique Kelly, 11 Lynne Cantwell, 10 Sarah Jane Belton (captain), 9 Tania Rosser, 8 Joy Neville, 7 Jen Leacy, 6 Rachel Boyd, 5 Germaine Healy, 4 Rosie Foley, 3 Edel Coen,2 Jean Lonergan, 1 Fiona Coughlan
Replacements: 16 Marie Barrett, 17 Emma Stanley, 18 Rachel Tucker, 19 Orla Brennan, 20 Louise Beamish, 21 Joanne OSullivan, 22 Grace Davitt

Scotland (squad): Forwards: Susie Brown, Donna Kennedy, Karen Findlay (captain), Iona Frickleton, Heather Lockhart, Jilly McCord, Sarah Mee, Clare Muir, Lisa OKeefe, Lynne Reid, Gail Russell, Shona Watt

Backs: Paula Chalmers, Mel Christie, Katie Davies, Veronica Fitzpatrick, Erin Kerr, Lucy Millard, Suzi Newton, Chris Ovenden, Rimma Petlevannaya, Mary Pat Tierney

Spain: 15 Mariona Vila, 14 Montserrat Poza, 13 Inés Etxeguibel, 12 Rocío Ramírez, 11 Agurtzane Orbegozo, 10 Ana María Aigneren,9 Isabel Rodriguez (captain), 8 Karitte Alegria, 7 Angelina Masdeu, 6 Olga García, 5 Aitziber Porras, 4 Maríola Rus, 3 Ana De La Parte2 Aroa González, 1 Rocío García Eiras
Replacements: 16 Nerea Otxoa, 17 Marta Carreras, 18 Rosanna Estanyol, 19 Mª Teresa Delgado, 20 Mª Del Mar Pérez, 21 Raquel Socías, 22  Concepción Ramos

Wales: 15 Elen Evans, 14 Manon Williams,13 Rhian Williams, 12 Lowri Jones,11 Louise Rickard,10 Awen Thomas, 9 Kerry Jenkins, 8 Emma Phillips, 7 Kylie Wilson (captain),6 Catrina Nicholas,5 Becky Dando, 4 Claire Donovan, 3 Louise Horgan,2 Jenny Davies, 1 Amy Broadstock
Replacements: 16 Nicola John, 17 Becky Davies, 18 Claire Horgan, 19 Stacey Saunders, 20 Rachel Brown, 21 Lucy Berry, 22 Ayla Rose