Defending Women’s Six Nations champions Ireland ushered in the start of a new era with a 21-3 over Wales at Donnybrook on Saturday.

Designed to build on the upsurge of interest in the women’s game in Ireland brought about by two Six Nations titles in the last three years, it was decided to move home matches away from Ashbourne to the larger Dublin venue for 2016.

And 10 years on from their last match at Donnybrook, Ireland’s women looked very much at home in their new surroundings as they made it five wins in a row against the Welsh.

Young fly-half Robyn Wilkins kicked Wales into an early 3-0 lead but that was as good as it got for visitors as Ireland ran out comfortable winners thanks to first-half tries from Sene Naoupu and Sophie Spence and 11 points from the boot of captain Niamh Briggs.

Scotland’s long wait for a win in the Women’s Six Nations continues for at least another week after they fell to a 32-0 home defeat to England.

The Scots, who have not won in the championship since defeating France in the opening round of the 2010 campaign, held England to a scoreless first quarter before the world champions’ dominance was reflected in tries for Lauren Cattell and Harriet Millar-Mills.

Millar-Mills added her second after the break and captain Sarah Hunter and debutant Lucy Demaine also got in on the act as England registered their first away win in the championship since March 2014.

France, meanwhile, gained revenge for last year’s loss to Italy with a convincing 39-0 win in Bourg-en-Bresse.

Hoping to go one better than their runners-up finish of last year, Les Bleues sent out a message of intent with a strong first-half display which brought them tries for Julie Billes, Audrey Forlani and captain Gaëlle Mignot.

In the second half, a penalty try, followed by a second try from Forlani and an acrobatic finish by Elodie Poublan late on saw France cruise home.

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With the higher ranked sides all winning comfortably, there are no changes to the World Rugby Women's Rankings which were launched on 1 February. France remain second ahead of England and Ireland with Italy eighth, Wales 10th and Scotland the lowest of the Six Nations sides in 13th. 

Next weekend France are at home to Ireland while England also travel to Italy on Saturday. Sunday’s solitary fixture sees Wales entertain Scotland at The Gnoll in Neath. Anything other than a victory would end Scotland’s slim hopes of qualifying for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 through the Six Nations.

WIth France, England and Ireland having already confirmed their place at WRWC 2017 after their performances in the last edition in 2014, Italy and Wales look set to join them as the two next best Six Nations teams based on results across the 2015 and 2016 Championships.