Butts Park Arena to host England Women’s U21 Six Nations fixture against Ireland in 2026

ENGLAND’S 2026 SIX NATIONS WOMEN’S U21 SERIES FIXTURES CONFIRMED

England will begin their Six Nations Women’s U21 Series with an away trip to face Scotland at the Hive Stadium on Saturday 18^th April (11am BST kick-off).

LJ Lewis’ side continue their campaign with home outings against Ireland at Coventry RFC’s Butts Park Arena (2^nd May) and France (10^th May), hosted at Bedford Blues’ Goldington Road. 

All fixtures will be streamed live on the Six Nations U20 YouTube channel. 

Following the success of the U20 Women’s Summer Series, a Six Nations Women’s U21 Series will be introduced. Making the Series U21 but allowing unions to select up to five U23 players, brings the age profile of players closer to that of the Women’s Six Nations, to further enhance the opportunities for graduation into the elite game, after relevant experience.

Evolving the Summer Series format, where all teams would compete in a week-long festival format, in 2026 and 2027, teams will now take part in two home fixtures and one away, or vice versa. The format change is designed to echo the training week and travel element of the elite tournament, to better prepare players for the rhythm of the Women’s Six Nations.

Further information on England U21 Women’s warm-up fixtures for the tournament will be communicated in due course. 

Tickets to England’s Six Nations Women’s U21 Series home fixtures against Ireland and France are available now. 

LJ Lewis said: “The launch of this new Six Nations tournament raises the bar for our girls and the environment they develop in, bringing greater intensity and competitiveness. 

“For our players and staff, exposure to this level of competition is invaluable and will accelerate both individual growth and our collective courageous standards. We want our players to best prepared for the demands of international rugby at the highest level, and this is a really positive commitment to that.

“Having this competitive window also allows us to sharpen our decision-making, build physical and mental robustness and our lead-self qualities to ensure our pathway is preparing players to write the next chapter of the Red Roses.”

England U21 Women’s 2026 Six Nations Series fixtures

Round 1 – Scotland vs. England – Saturday 18th April, 11:00 BST kick-off – Hive Stadium, Edinburgh

Round 2 – England vs. Ireland – Saturday 2nd May, 15:00 BST kick-off – Butts Park Arena, Coventry

Round 3 – England vs. France – Sunday 10th May, 15:00 BST kick-off – Goldington Road, Bedford