The Women's Six Nations is faster and smarter - but is it better?

The Women's Six Nations is faster and smarter - but is it better?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England full-back Emma Sing scored two tries as the Red Roses triumphed 43-42 against France in a thrilling finale to last year's Six NationsByMike Henson, BBC Sport rugby union news reporter and Matthew Hobbs, BBC Sport journalistPublished5 minutes agoThe first 40 minutes of the Women's Six Nations was, at best, a half for the purists.Estelle Sartini, a PE teacher from Caen, kicked the only points as France, one of the favourites for the inaugural title, headed for the dressing rooms with a 3-0 lead over Spain, who contested the first five editions before being replaced by Italy in 2007.This year will be the 25th staging of the competition. And the game has changed. But has it been for the better?Does increased athleticism and tactical nous risk losing the distinctive character of the women's game?Simon Middleton, who was England's head coach for eight years before standing down after the 2023 Six Nations, saw the change firsthand."The women's game doesn't want to be the men's game - and that's how it should be," he said.But, first, what do the numbers say?Points win prizesThe 2025 Women's Six Nations was the highest scoring ever, with an average of 55.9 points per game. It is part of trend, rather than an anomaly. The five highest-scoring tournaments have all taken place since 2019.After two rounds of this season's tournament, the average stands at 58 points a game - on track for another record.Is it simply the fact that England, world champions and seven-time defending champions, are running amok and pushing up the average?The Red Roses have certainly been dominant. They racked up winning margins of 55 and 52 points against Wales and Scotland respectively last year. So far in this year's tournament they have seen off Ireland by 21 points and Scotland by a whopping 77-point margin.But even i...