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In January 2026, the [[Six Nations]] announced a significant restructure of the competition. The tournament was rebranded as the ”’Six Nations Women’s U21 Series”’ and underwent a format change.<ref name=”IRFU2026″>{{cite web |title=New Women’s U21 Six Nations Tournament Announced |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2026/01/22/new-womens-u21-six-nations-tournament-announced/ |website=Irish Rugby |date=22 January 2026 |access-date=6 February 2026}}</ref> The age limit was raised to predominantly feature players under 21, with teams permitted to select a limited number of players up to age 23. This change was designed to make the pathway to international honours more accessible and better align with player development needs.<ref name=”IRFU2026″/> |
In January 2026, the [[Six Nations]] announced a significant restructure of the competition. The tournament was rebranded as the ”’Six Nations Women’s U21 Series”’ and underwent a format change.<ref name=”IRFU2026″>{{cite web |title=New Women’s U21 Six Nations Tournament Announced |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2026/01/22/new-womens-u21-six-nations-tournament-announced/ |website=Irish Rugby |date=22 January 2026 |access-date=6 February 2026}}</ref> The age limit was raised to predominantly feature players under 21, with teams permitted to select a limited number of players up to age 23. This change was designed to make the pathway to international honours more accessible and better align with player development needs.<ref name=”IRFU2026″/> |
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The competition has proven successful in developing players, with 14 graduates from the inaugural 2024 tournament earning senior international caps during the [[2025 Women’s Six Nations Championship]].<ref |
The competition has proven successful in developing players, with 14 graduates from the inaugural 2024 tournament earning senior international caps during the [[2025 Women’s Six Nations Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Six Nations Women’s Summer Series Returns For Second Edition |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/05/21/six-nations-womens-summer-series-returns-for-second-edition/ |website=Irish Rugby |date=21 May 2025 |access-date=6 February 2026}}</ref> |
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==Format== |
==Format== |
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! Year !! Host(s) !! Winner !! Runner-up !! Third place !! {{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
! Year !! Host(s) !! Winner !! Runner-up !! Third place !! {{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
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| [[2024 Six Nations Women’s U20 Summer Series|2024]] || {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Parma]] || France {{ruwicon|FRA}} || {{ruwicon|ENG}} England || — || <ref |
| [[2024 Six Nations Women’s U20 Summer Series|2024]] || {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Parma]] || France {{ruwicon|FRA}} || {{ruwicon|ENG}} England || — || <ref>{{cite web |title=Match England 21 v France 72 – 14/07/2024 |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/u6n/u20-womens/fixtures/2024/england-women-u20-v-france-women-u20-14072024-2100 |website=Six Nations Rugby |date=14 July 2024 |access-date=6 February 2026}}</ref> |
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| [[2025 Six Nations Women’s U20 Summer Series|2025]] || {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ystrad Mynach]] || France {{ruwicon|FRA}} || {{ruwicon|ENG}} England || — || <ref |
| [[2025 Six Nations Women’s U20 Summer Series|2025]] || {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ystrad Mynach]] || France {{ruwicon|FRA}} || {{ruwicon|ENG}} England || — || <ref>{{cite web |title=U20 Six Nations Women’s Summer Series a major success for Caerphilly |url=https://www.wales247.co.uk/u20-six-nations-womens-summer-series-a-major-success-for-caerphilly |website=Wales247 |date=30 July 2025 |access-date=6 February 2026}}</ref> |
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| [[2026 Six Nations Women’s U21 Series|2026]] || Various || || || || |
| [[2026 Six Nations Women’s U21 Series|2026]] || Various || || || || |
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Latest revision as of 02:20, 6 February 2026
The Six Nations Women’s U21 Series (formerly the Six Nations Women’s U20 Summer Series) is an annual international rugby union competition featuring the under-21 women’s national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. The tournament serves as a development pathway for young players progressing to senior international rugby.[1]
The competition was established in 2024 as the Six Nations Women’s U20 Summer Series, with the inaugural edition hosted in Parma, Italy in July 2024.[1] The tournament was created to provide competitive international experience for emerging players and strengthen the pathway to the senior Women’s Six Nations Championship teams.[2]
In January 2026, the Six Nations announced a significant restructure of the competition. The tournament was rebranded as the Six Nations Women’s U21 Series and underwent a format change.[3] The age limit was raised to predominantly feature players under 21, with teams permitted to select a limited number of players up to age 23. This change was designed to make the pathway to international honours more accessible and better align with player development needs.[3]
The competition has proven successful in developing players, with 14 graduates from the inaugural 2024 tournament earning senior international caps during the 2025 Women’s Six Nations Championship.[4]
2024–2025: Festival format
[edit]
The first two editions of the tournament (2024 and 2025) followed a week-long festival format, with all six teams competing in a single host location. The 2024 edition took place in Parma, Italy, while the 2025 edition was held at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Wales.[2]
All matches were streamed live on the Six Nations YouTube.[2]
2026–2027: Home and away format
[edit]
Beginning in 2026, the format evolved to feature a mix of home and away fixtures, with teams playing either two home fixtures and one away, or vice versa.[5] This format change was designed to replicate the training week and travel elements of the Women’s Six Nations, preparing players for senior international rugby.[5]
While the tournament predominantly features players age 21 or younger, teams are permitted to select a limited number of players up to the age of 23.[3]
