Round 5 of the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations delivered an unforgettable finale packed with drama, comebacks, and history-making performances.
England survived a late French surge to claim their fourth straight Grand Slam, Scotland edged Ireland with a last-minute try, and Italy stormed past Wales with a record second-half display.
- Scotland 26 – 19 Ireland
- England 43 – 42 France
- Italy 44 – 12 Wales
Here’s the full recap from an epic final weekend:
SCOTLAND EDGE IRELAND WITH LAST-GASP MCGHIE TRY
Scotland 24 – 19 Ireland (HT: 12–7)
Fran McGhie’s dramatic try with the clock in the red sealed a thrilling 24–19 victory for Scotland over Ireland in their final match of the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Ireland started strongly, with Amee-Leigh Costigan crossing early and Dannah O’Brien adding the conversion. However, Scotland responded with tries from Lana Skeldon off a rolling maul and Emma Orr after a brilliant counterattack, giving them a halftime lead. Linda Djougang powered over to level the scores early in the second half, but Scotland hit back as Rachel McLachlan finished a superb move to restore their advantage. Emily Lane’s late try tied the game again after Helen Nelson was yellow-carded for a professional foul, but Scotland found a final surge. After an attacking lineout deep in Irish territory, McGhie raced over in the corner to secure a famous win, sparking jubilant celebrations for the Scots.
SCOTLAND
- Tries: Skeldon (24’), Orr (40’), McLachlan (57’), McGhie (80’)
- Conversions: Nelson (40’, 58’, 80’)
IRELAND
- Tries: Costigan (10’), Djougang (48’), Lane (71’)
- Conversions: O’Brien (10’, 72’)
ENGLAND HOLD OFF FRANCE IN THRILLING FINAL TO CLAIM GRAND SLAM
England 43 – 42 France (HT: 31–21)
England captured their fourth successive Grand Slam after surviving a furious French comeback to win 43–42 in a breathtaking Guinness Women’s Six Nations finale at Allianz Stadium. England flew out of the gates with early tries from Abby Dow, Emma Sing, Lark Atkin-Davies, and Claudia MacDonald, racing to a 31–7 lead. France hit back before halftime through Pauline Bourdon-Sansus and Marine Ménager, cutting the gap to 10 points. England responded with a counter-attacking try finished by Zoe Aldcroft and a second from Dow to stretch their lead. However, France refused to relent, with Kelly Arbey, Morgane Bourgeois, and Joanna Grisez all crossing to pull within a single point. With one final play left, a French mistake at the restart allowed England to hang on for an unforgettable victory and their seventh straight Six Nations title in what will be remembered as one of the greatest matches in tournament history.
ENGLAND
- Tries: Dow (3’, 57’), Sing (7’, 17’), Atkin-Davies (11’), MacDonald (22’), Aldcroft (48’)
- Conversions: Harrison (8’, 18’, 23’, 49’)
FRANCE
- Tries: Arbez (5’), Bourdon-Sansus (28’), Ménager (37’), Arbey (50’), Bourgeois (69’), Grisez (78’)
- Conversions: Bourgeois (6’, 29’, 38’, 51’, 70’, 79’)
ITALY STORM PAST WALES WITH RECORD SECOND-HALF PERFORMANCE
Italy 44 – 12 Wales (HT: 10–12)
Italy produced a blistering second-half display to crush Wales 44–12 in Parma, closing their 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign on a high note. Wales led 12–10 at halftime through tries from Kate Williams and Gwenllian Pyrs, but Italy responded with 34 unanswered points after the break. Sofia Stefan sparked the comeback, followed by tries from Francesca Granzotto, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, and Aura Muzzo, as Italy’s fast-paced attack overwhelmed the visitors. Giordana Duca anchored a ferocious Italian defense that shut Wales out in the second half. The victory secured fourth place for Italy while condemning Wales to a winless campaign and a sixth-place finish. Under new head coach Fabio Roselli, Italy showcased a vibrant, expansive style that signals a promising future, while Wales were left searching for answers after a tough tournament.
ITALY
- Tries: Stefan (16’), Granzotto (53’, 77’’), Turani (57’), Ostuni Minuzzi (63’), Muzzo (80’)
- Conversions: Sillari (17’, 53’, 58’, 80’)
- Penalties: Sillari (22’, 48’)
WALES
- Tries: Williams (9’), Pyrs (40’)
- Conversions: Bevan(40’)
FINAL STANDINGS
The 2025 Women’s Six Nations concluded with England crowned champions once again, Scotland celebrating a thrilling win, and Italy finishing strong with a dominant victory.
As teams now shift their focus to summer tours and long-term preparations, this year’s tournament provided plenty of excitement—and set the stage for even bigger battles to come.
Who impressed you most in this 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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