For this rising Ireland team, today is about exorcising some demons from the past. For starters, they need to atone for last weekend’s error-strewn display when a glorious chance to land a first win against France in eight years was derailed by a flurry of unforced errors and poor decision making.

England have reigned supreme in the Women's Six Nations for seven years. Victory over France on the final day of last year's tournament delivered a third consecutive Grand Slam and they will start the defence of their title as strong favourites to claim the clean sweep once again.

Anna McGann claimed a hat-trick as Ireland swept aside Italy 54-12 in Parma to notch a long-awaited away win in the Women's Six Nations.