The Six Nations was additionally a crushing defeat, and though France had been topped champions, they didn’t win a Grand Slam for the third 12 months in a row.
Many had been fast to label the 2026 version as one of the best Six Nations ever. Which may be debatable, however we watched 5 rounds of wonderful rugby, full with tries and twists and turns.
Now that it is throughout, how did you price every workforce?
ESPN’s 2026 Six Nations outcomes are as follows:
France: A-
Thomas Ramos’ newest penalty was wanted to safe a 3rd title in 5 years, however such a small distinction can decide employment prospects and general morale. France got here out of the blocks within the Six Nations, thrashing Eire and crushing Wales. The whole lot was going properly and so they appeared destined for a Grand Slam. They needed to work arduous to beat Italy on matchday three, however struggled in Edinburgh in opposition to a top-notch Scottish workforce.
Then suspicions started to creep in on Fabien Galthie, and even Antoine Dupont got here underneath criticism. However with an limitless pool of expertise and gamers of a era like Mathieu Jalibert, Dupont, Charles Ollibon (and so on., and so on.), you may at all times discover a method to get outcomes.
They’ve some of the ruthless finishers in world rugby, Louis Vier-Bialley. He has now scored in each sport of the Six Nations event for the second consecutive 12 months, ending with 4 targets in opposition to England and 9 within the competitors. Galthie launched us to some new guys, however I believe they’re nonetheless looking for one of the best workforce for themselves.
Ultimately the job was carried out, however this actually ought to have been a Grand Slam 12 months. That is the golden era and after they click on, they simply look breathtaking – Tom Hamilton.
Eire: B+
There was virtually a state of panic for Eire after their first sport loss to France. Andy Farrell has questioned the intentions of his gamers and fears the golden period of the previous 4 years is lastly over. The disastrous defeat in opposition to Italy did little to ease tensions, and the clamor across the fly-half spot and requires Jack Crowley to exchange Sam Prendergast grew to become even louder. Farrell referred to as. Crowley got here out and took his probability. The report win at Twickenham was Eire’s finest in latest reminiscence, and their assault performed properly.
The workforce remains to be within the means of rising, however the essential factor is that the gamers stepped up and took the chance.
The arrival of Rob Balkoon, who crammed the outside-back void, was key, however Stuart McCloskey (apparently nicknamed the ‘Irish Fridge’) additionally thrived on the massive stage, producing some huge moments and inflicting a whole lot of issues for England specifically. Farrell mentioned he was “very proud” after profitable the Triple Crown and shall be assured the workforce can enhance for the remainder of the 12 months and into 2027. – James Regan.
Scotland: B+
In one other marketing campaign that suffered early on, Gregor Townsend was underneath large strain, however the gamers clearly stepped up for him and had been buoyed by the good management of captain Sione Tuipulotu.
They put it to good use in opposition to England and managed to again them up in opposition to a decided Welsh facet. The victory over France, which erupted in riots in Edinburgh, will go down in each Scottish rugby and Six Nations lore. Townsend made daring selections, leaving out Duane van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham at occasions, and it labored. Their backline appeared as clean as anybody knew it could when Finn Russell, Tuipulotu and Huw Jones acquired going. The problem for Scotland, as at all times, is to take care of this manner, particularly with a watch on subsequent 12 months’s World Cup.
They proved as soon as once more that they will beat anybody on the day. Successful one other title in 2027 should be the objective – Regan.
Italy: B+
Italy was enjoyable to observe this 12 months. They made the a lot of the horrible situations in Rome to overwhelm the Scots within the first spherical after which had a hell of a battle in Dublin per week later. Gonzalo Quesada has critical gamers. Springbok supervisor Rassie Erasmus emphasised how good Italy are and might proceed to do, and issued a warning. Azzurri He proved proper for probably the most half. The middle duo of Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex have developed into some of the dynamic and thrilling groups in world rugby. In fact, amid all that, this shall be a event to recollect for one factor. That’s to beat England.
They received 32-0 in opposition to a powerful opponent, however the evening in Rome was most likely well worth the wait. It has been an ideal marketing campaign for Italy, regardless that the gamers appeared like they had been nonetheless in social gathering mode in opposition to Wales (and actually, who can blame them?). They’re now a robust drive and one thing of a Six Nations kingmaker – Regan.
England: E
Recency bias is an odd factor. Going into their remaining match in Paris, England would have recorded simply three defeats and appeared set for his or her worst season ever. They misplaced, and the shame of a 5-4 loss was endlessly etched on the names of the Class of 2026. However then you definitely get this bizarre satisfaction of their efficiency and a glimpse of what they will be and the way we count on them to play.
England carried out admirably in France, however acquainted disciplinary issues allow them to down as soon as once more. This appeared just like the workforce was lastly getting it proper and the sport plan and actions got here collectively to translate into an ideal efficiency. However you may’t ignore how this match matches into the larger image. Defeats in opposition to Scotland, Eire and Italy had been alarming for various causes, however self-discipline points and an lack of ability to transform strain into factors didn’t unite the workforce.
The latter subject appeared to have been resolved in Paris, with England scoring seven tries, however their full lack of self-discipline stays an space of critical concern. The scrum was stable and the forwards had been wonderful in opposition to France, however general England promised loads however delivered little. Hamilton.
Wales: C
Their efficiency in opposition to England was alarming and so they appeared to have little hope to cling to. After which France hammered house the identical previous drawback in entrance of an more and more detached Welsh crowd, their lowest on report.
However then Scotland and Wales performed a lot better, at one level going up 20-5 earlier than struggling a heartbreaking defeat.
However they appeared way more structured, and the Steve Tandy imprint was just a little extra pronounced. Towards Eire, Alex Mann’s 32 tackles had been unimaginable and so they took one other step ahead. And within the remaining sport in opposition to Italy, Wales achieved a shocking 31-17 victory over the English conquerors final week, ending a three-year damage and 15-match winless streak.
We’re seeing them being way more savvy on the breakdown, gamers lastly reaching their potential, and the Bucks wanting stronger than any workforce we have seen in latest reminiscence. Aaron Wainwright was nice, Dewi Lake was nice as a captain and Rhys Carre was an ideal bulldozer.
Jack Morgan can also be anticipated to return. So whisper, Wales could have turned the nook – Hamilton.
