Sarah Jilani

The women's rugby teams of England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Wales were set to have their own Six Nations in 2001.

Nathalie had been playing internationally for 15 years and France were doing well.

I was captain twice for two world championships.

My role was mostly to be an example, to be unifier in the game and the engagement of players on the field.

But in February 2001, events outside of the rugby team's control put the brakes on both the women's and the men's competition, thanks to the highly infectious foot and mouth disease outbreak across the UK, as reported on the BBC.

So we were impatiently waiting to know if we were really going to do it or be able to do it.

Finally, the tournament happened properly in 2002, the very first Women's Six Nations, and France were on top form.

Winning in France when you're a women's team is not enough.

So the team was popular because we gave a good performance.

We were really happy because we wanted to reunite and live a beautiful collective story.

France were the ones to beat.

Here's Naomi Thomas from the Welsh side speaking to the BBC.

But Wales didn't stand a chance against France and neither did any of the other teams.

They beat each and every one.

We counterattacked, taking risks that succeeded.

À la French indeed, playing against the play of our adversaries.

We had finally won a major title, the Six Nations Tournament.

There were a lot of people in the stadium.

It was in Moulins in France.

My family was there, and it was something I could share with them.