England will return to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light – the venue for their record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup opener – in their first home match of the 2027 Six Nations.

The Red Roses will play Scotland at the venue on 17 April.

It will be the first time they have played a home match away from a rugby-specific ground outside of a World Cup.

England drew 42,723 fans to the Stadium of Light for the 67-9 victory over the United States that opened the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August 2025.

That attendance surpassed the 42,579 who watched the final of the previous edition as the Women’s Rugby World Cup’s biggest crowd.

The Red Roses subsequently smashed that mark again with an 81,885 sell-out for their final victory over Canada at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

England’s 2027 Six Nations campaign also includes home matches against Italy at Northampton’s DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on 24 April and a final-round meeting against France at Twickenham on 15 May.

The venues for their away fixtures against Wales and Ireland are yet to be announced

“It was an amazing atmosphere to be a part of – one of the favourites in my career,” England full-back Ellie Kildunne said of her previous visit to the Stadium of Light.

“I just remember the noise when we got off the bus and the amount of time the fans stayed behind afterwards. It was incredible. 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.”

England are aiming for their ninth successive Six Nations crown.

Their preparations for the tournament will begin after they play two Tests against Canada and one Test against the United States on the away leg of their WXV Global Series campaign next month.

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