Women’s Six Nations: Smaller balls and bigger crowds

This episode of Rugby Union Weekly dives into the growing momentum of women's rugby, spotlighting the Women's Six Nations and the recent surge in attendance and performance across nations. The hosts discuss Italy's standout 29-0 victory over Scotland, praising their tactical maturity and complete game plan—marking a turning point in their development. They also reflect on the controversy surrounding World Rugby's trial of the smaller four-and-a-half size ball in the WXV Global Series, with England's Zoe Harrison calling it 'the worst decision ever' due to its potential disruption to elite players' established skills. The discussion weighs the pros and cons: while younger players may benefit from improved skill execution and faster gameplay, top-tier professionals fear it undermines their hard-earned expertise. The episode also highlights Italy’s unique non-professional structure, their growing domestic league, and the cultural enthusiasm surrounding their matches, despite limited media access and stadium capacity. Finally, the hosts share predictions for the upcoming round, emphasizing the depth and resilience of teams despite widespread injuries post-World Cup.