Royal London ambassador Shaunagh Brown will be picking out some of the rising stars in action during the Women’s Six Nations as key players to watch ahead of the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour in 2027. Find out more about Lions Women Founding Partner Royal London here.
The latest two rounds of Women’s Six Nations action have seen England and France set up a Grand Slam decider this weekend.
Ireland and Scotland have also picked up victories while Wales go into Round 5 looking for a win to round off their Championship.
In the latest instalment of Lions Watch (click here for the first in the series), 30-cap Red Roses prop Shaunagh Brown has picked out the players who have caught her eye in recent weeks.
Dannah O’Brien – Ireland
“She has that ability to kick Ireland out of trouble as often as possible. Ireland didn’t have a lot of ball against England last weekend but they did against Wales the week before.
“The fact that she can keep her cool and stick to the game plan in a tough game says a lot about a player.
“It shows how much potential she has got as a fly-half.
“She is still young and if Ireland can get the best combination of players outside of her, then Ireland can shine.
“Dannah will be learning at a rapid pace. She is only 21 but being fly-half for your country at that age is a big deal. Being one of the game makers, that is huge.
“A lot of it will come down to how she keeps her mind working, her mental wellbeing and how she can be the player that Ireland need her to be.
“When you are that young and fly-half for your country, there is going to be a lot on the mental and psychology side of the game to adapt to.”
Maud Muir – England
“Maud has 29 caps and is only 22. She is on an incredible path and upward trajectory. She is the type of player that is going to go on and win 100 caps. I am saying it now.
“She has played each position in the front row, is very rarely hurt or injured, she is consistent and the growth is there. Game on game you can see her confidence growing.
“Maud goes around the pitch like a battering ram and runs into anyone and everyone. And she does it with a smile on her face – she’ll even apologise!
“She is a lovely girl, I have spent a lot of time with her in England camp and she is owning that tighthead shirt now, getting starts more often than not and developing her skills.
“Her handling, for a prop, is very good and that maybe comes from her background playing cricket. Maud is a really exciting player.”
Francesca McGhie – Scotland
“It was her first start of the tournament on Sunday and I think she made the impact that she would have wanted to in the win against Italy.
“Before she came to Leicester Tigers this season, we didn’t know much about her coming from Scotland, and now we are going to see her development in PWR at a club that is new to the competition.
“You give her ball in hand and half an inch of space, she will make a lot more of it and can play across the back three and outside centre.
“Last season, Francesca was nominated for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. Now more and more people will see what she has to offer.”
🤩 @Scotlandteam‘s Francesca McGhie earns herself a nomination for Women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year 🙌 pic.twitter.com/F0q89WzJ1j
— Guinness Women’s Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) November 2, 2023
Lleucu George – Wales
“Lleucu George dominates week in and week out for Gloucester-Hartpury and she is able to take that game to Wales.
“Her boot saves Wales as often as it possibly can, the same way it does for Gloucester.
“She is frustrating to play against because she is so good. She has different abilities, it is not just her kicking. She can step to kick or step her way out of trouble and run.
“There is ability across the board and is more than just a passing fly-half. But when she does pass it, she is an accurate passer.”
The Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series will take place in New Zealand, the home of the current world champions with the Lions Women’s team playing three Tests against the Black Ferns alongside pre-Test fixtures.
