With a string of players retiring post-World Cup and sevens call-ups affecting most of the leading nations, this year’s Women’s Six Nations was always going to be a tough one to call. However, few people would have predicted that five of the six teams would still have a mathematical chance of winning the title going into the final weekend. Incredibly, only winless Scotland have run their race.

France’s shock defeat to Italy in Badia Polesine on Saturday has given the chasing pack hope that all is not yet lost. France and Ireland have six points from three wins apiece, while England, Wales and Italy are level on four points.

Les Bleues' points difference of +63 is 20 better than Ireland’s, however last year’s Grand Slam winners have the trickier of the two tasks this weekend with a visit to Twickenham to play world champions England, while Ireland conclude with a match against wooden-spoonists Scotland at the Broadwood Stadium, knowing a big win is certainly within their capabilities.

Wales travel to Italy, for whom winger Maria Magatti was the star of the show against France with a brace of tries.

Marvellous Magatti

Unbeaten for their last nine matches in the Six Nations, France went to Italy having made a number of changes – some enforced through suspension and sevens commitments, and others through choice – to the side that defeated Wales in round three.

Subsequently, Italy looked the more assured of the two teams from the start and were rewarded for a bright opening when Magatti crossed in the corner with just five minutes on the clock. Veronica Schiavon turned the five points into seven with a brilliant touchline conversion.

France hit back almost immediately though, when Julie Billes touched down for her sixth try of the championship and Jessy Tremoulière levelled the scores with the conversion.

There were no further scores until the 37th minute when Italy struck for a second time through Sofia Stefan. But back came France again, Safi N'Diaye setting up Caroline Boujard for a try as the sides entered the break locked at 12-12.

A great rearguard action from Italy – and two penalty misses from Tremoulière – kept France scoreless in the second half, and it was left to Magatti to seal a famous win when she squeezed over in the corner for her second try of the match - and her fourth of the championship – in the dying seconds.

“We knew if we put France under pressure we’d have a chance of winning. Beyond the final result, I’m proud of the maturity shown by the girls,” said Italy coach Andrea Di Giandomenico.

Ireland, meanwhile, kept their title hopes alive with a 20-0 win over Wales at St Helen's in Swansea.

Paula Fitzgerald and Alison Miller scored tries either side of half-time to ensure hooker Gillian Bourke celebrated her 50th cap in style - unlike Wales captain Rachel Taylor, who also reached the half-century milestone on Sunday. Captain Niamh Briggs converted both tries and kicked two penalties to cap a fine all-round display.

Chances for Wales were few and far between as they struggled to break down the meanest defence in this year’s championship.

Shark attack

A hat-trick from Ruth Laybourn on her home pitch ensured England got their campaign back on track against a dogged Scotland side in Darlington.

Winger Laybourn scored her first inside the opening 60 seconds and she was shortly followed over the whitewash by Darlington Mowden Park Sharks team-mate Tamara Taylor.

England’s front row union then got in on the act with props Justine Lucas and Rochelle Clark rumbling over from close range.

While Lucas' effort was her first in international rugby, loose-head Clark continues to amass scores at a rate most backs wouldn't baulk at - that finish was her 21st in 99 appearances.

All four England tries surprisingly went unconverted as local hero, Katy Mclean, endured an off night with the boot and England had to settle for a 20-6 lead at the break, Scotland’s points having come from two penalties.

England struck again nine minutes into the second period when Fiona Pocock announced her return to the side with a try that again went unconverted.

The visitors hit back through Eilidh Sinclair after the right wing gleefully picked up a loose ball to run in unopposed for Scotland’s first try on English soil for seven years. Lisa Martin’s conversion closed the gap to 12 points at 25-13.

But normal service was soon resumed with Laybourn crossing for her second after an incisive break from Mclean. Lydia Thompson then showed good footwork and a fair burst of pace to score the pick of the bunch before Laybourn claimed her hat-trick to ensure England finished with a flourish.