Red Roses return to Stadium of Light for Six Nations clash with Scotland in April 2027

England Women will take their 2027 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Saturday 17 April, where Scotland will provide the opposition in Round 2 of the tournament.

The fixture marks the first time the Red Roses will play at the 49,000-seat venue outside a Women’s Rugby World Cup. Their only previous appearance there came in the 2025 World Cup opener, a record-breaking 67-9 victory over the USA watched by 42,723 fans — the largest crowd ever to attend a women’s rugby match in England at that point.

Winger Ellie Kildunne recalled the occasion warmly. “It was an amazing atmosphere to be a part of — one of the favourites in my career,” she said. “I just remember the noise when we got off the bus and the amount of time the fans stayed behind afterwards. They really spurred us on that night. If the match with Scotland can replicate anything close to that night, it’s sure to be another memorable occasion.”

Sunderland CEO Tom Burwell welcomed the return, describing it as “another fantastic opportunity to build on what was an unforgettable occasion in 2025.” He added that the club was looking forward to working with the RFU to “create another special occasion for the Red Roses, while showcasing Sunderland to an even wider audience.”

The Stadium of Light will be hosting only its second rugby fixture when the two sides meet in April 2027, with the RFU hoping to reproduce the electric atmosphere that defined the World Cup opener.

England’s remaining 2027 Women’s Six Nations home fixtures are also confirmed: they host Italy at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday 24 April, before facing France at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 15 May.