There’s no ignoring the holders but what of the hosts, the All Blacks, France and even England? Here’s a rundown of all 24 teams taking part in Australia in 2027Beaten by Australia last weekend but the manner in which they came back after Rassie Erasmus emptied his bench was emphatic. The series victory over New Zealand was the one they really wanted this year and achieving that, romping from 1-0 down to 3-1 victors, underscores that they are the team to beat in Australia next year. Continue rea
There’s no ignoring the holders but what of the hosts, the All Blacks, France and even England? Here’s a rundown of all 24 teams taking part in Australia in 2027
Beaten by Australia last weekend but the manner in which they came back after Rassie Erasmus emptied his bench was emphatic. The series victory over New Zealand was the one they really wanted this year and achieving that, romping from 1-0 down to 3-1 victors, underscores that they are the team to beat in Australia next year.
South Africa 42-28 ScotlandScots run in four tries to earn bonus pointA breathless match, all the more so given the thin air of Pretoria, but the upshot is, for all Scotland’s wit and energy, South Africa march on with another full house of points. The visitors were brilliant in scoring their four tries, their pace and skill regularly making mugs of their hosts, but power remains the thing the Springboks do better than anyone. At this altitude, it is very hard to stop.They were unanswerable in t
A breathless match, all the more so given the thin air of Pretoria, but the upshot is, for all Scotland’s wit and energy, South Africa march on with another full house of points. The visitors were brilliant in scoring their four tries, their pace and skill regularly making mugs of their hosts, but power remains the thing the Springboks do better than anyone. At this altitude, it is very hard to stop.
They were unanswerable in the middle of each half, scoring five of their six tries around then, but Scotland scored two apiece in the second and fourth quarters. They were within sight of a losing bonus point with 10 minutes to go. They even looked as if they might score again. But Jesse Kriel’s late score meant they had to settle for one.
Six matches from Cardiff to Córdoba are bound to be intriguing – but player welfare is taking a back seatWelcome to rugby’s latest controversial ruse. The next time World Rugby spouts that thing about player welfare being their No 1 priority, just say “Nations Championship” back at them. The next time the governing body goes on about the sanctity of the World Cup, do the same.The Nations Championship begins this weekend, a coming together of six teams from the north against six from the “south”
Six matches from Cardiff to Córdoba are bound to be intriguing – but player welfare is taking a back seat
Welcome to rugby’s latest controversial ruse. The next time World Rugby spouts that thing about player welfare being their No 1 priority, just say “Nations Championship” back at them. The next time the governing body goes on about the sanctity of the World Cup, do the same.
The Nations Championship begins this weekend, a coming together of six teams from the north against six from the “south” – well, five plus Japan (it’s just not working, is it).
Centre won 65 caps, with 51 alongside his brother GavinAlso selected for two British and Irish Lions toursScotland’s 1990 grand slam-winning centre Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61, his family have announced, four years after he revealed he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Hastings won 65 caps for his country and played in two Tests on the victorious 1989 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, as well as being in the squad that toured New Zealand in 1993. He made his
Centre won 65 caps, with 51 alongside his brother Gavin
Also selected for two British and Irish Lions tours
Scotland’s 1990 grand slam-winning centre Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61, his family have announced, four years after he revealed he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Hastings won 65 caps for his country and played in two Tests on the victorious 1989 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, as well as being in the squad that toured New Zealand in 1993. He made his international debut in January 1986 against France, alongside his elder brother, Gavin, the first of 51 Scotland games the centre and full-back pair played together.
From the brilliance of Bielle-Biarrey to Carré’s jaw-dropping try, our highs and lows from a sensational championshipPlayer of the tournament Impossible to look past Louis Bielle-Biarrey who, among assorted records, has become the first player to score a try in every Six Nations game in successive seasons. But Italy’s Tommaso Menoncello and Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey also deserve a podium place. Continue reading...
From the brilliance of Bielle-Biarrey to Carré’s jaw-dropping try, our highs and lows from a sensational championship
Player of the tournament Impossible to look past Louis Bielle-Biarrey who, among assorted records, has become the first player to score a try in every Six Nations game in successive seasons. But Italy’s Tommaso Menoncello and Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey also deserve a podium place.
France’s dramatic triumph was proof that Test rugby played at full throttle ranks among the most compelling spectaclesL’Équipe’s front page headline summed it up perfectly. “So Crazy” did not just reflect Saturday night’s dizzying blur of a game in the Stade de France but pretty much the entire 2026 men’s Six Nations championship. Wales beat Italy who defeated Scotland who beat France who beat Ireland who beat England who, you’ve guessed it, beat Wales. Rugby, eh?And maybe that is the single big
France’s dramatic triumph was proof that Test rugby played at full throttle ranks among the most compelling spectacles
L’Équipe’s front page headline summed it up perfectly. “So Crazy” did not just reflect Saturday night’s dizzying blur of a game in the Stade de France but pretty much the entire 2026 men’s Six Nations championship. Wales beat Italy who defeated Scotland who beat France who beat Ireland who beat England who, you’ve guessed it, beat Wales. Rugby, eh?
And maybe that is the single biggest takeaway from the most extraordinary Six Nations of them all. Never mind the players and the coaches, spare a thought for all those distractedly pouring orange juice on their cereal as they vainly try to rationalise six weeks of madness. The world’s oldest championship still manages to refresh parts others cannot reach.
Slips at key moments proved costly with Andy Farrell’s team able to easily maintain a stranglehold on this fixtureThere were some Ireland fans who even said they would not begrudge Scotland victory, the triple crown, and, potentially, a first Six Nations title. There was a sense Gregor Townsend’s side had earned their day in the sun, somehow, especially after the glorious fourth-round triumph against France. And this Ireland team have certainly had their share of vitamin D against Scotland.Irela
Slips at key moments proved costly with Andy Farrell’s team able to easily maintain a stranglehold on this fixture
There were some Ireland fans who even said they would not begrudge Scotland victory, the triple crown, and, potentially, a first Six Nations title. There was a sense Gregor Townsend’s side had earned their day in the sun, somehow, especially after the glorious fourth-round triumph against France. And this Ireland team have certainly had their share of vitamin D against Scotland.
Ireland’s players, it soon became clear, did not see it that way. They were visibly keen to remind Scotland that no one is owed anything in elite sport. This was meant to be a transitional season for them, but the quality of this performance penned a depressingly familiar script from a Scottish perspective.
Ireland 43-21 ScotlandAndy Farrell’s side run in six tries in dominant displayIn sporting vernacular Scotland have long looked on Dublin as a “hard place to go”. Roughly an hour’s flight time from Edinburgh, they get to stay in a decent hotel, play in a relatively modern stadium with good facilities, against modestly resourced opponents, and in conditions they could never describe as alien. Despite this comforting familiarity, ever since Dan Parks nailed a touchline penalty at Croke Park in 2010
Andy Farrell’s side run in six tries in dominant display
In sporting vernacular Scotland have long looked on Dublin as a “hard place to go”. Roughly an hour’s flight time from Edinburgh, they get to stay in a decent hotel, play in a relatively modern stadium with good facilities, against modestly resourced opponents, and in conditions they could never describe as alien. Despite this comforting familiarity, ever since Dan Parks nailed a touchline penalty at Croke Park in 2010 to scuttle Ireland’s triple crown voyage the Scots have associated this fixture with trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube wearing oven gloves.
On it goes. Faced with the losing run in the fixture hitting a dozen, Scotland did their best to change the narrative. There was no consolation prize in this triple crown decider, but perhaps a sliver of satisfaction at having played a huge part in an enthralling game of rugby where the outcome revealed itself only with 12 minutes left.
Six Nations updates from Dublin; kick-off 2.10pm GMT Sign up for The Breakdown newsletter | Email AlexFlower of Scotland is sung by some focused-looking, blue-shirted players. It gets a generous round of applause in the stands. Amhrán na bhFiann is followed by Ireland’s Call – belted out by the lads in green. Applause again. Nicely done. Kick-off is next!Simon McMahon has emailed. “Hi Alex. You’re dead right,” he says. “For both these teams, the permutations are irrelevant unless/until they win
Flower of Scotland is sung by some focused-looking, blue-shirted players. It gets a generous round of applause in the stands. Amhrán na bhFiann is followed by Ireland’s Call – belted out by the lads in green. Applause again. Nicely done. Kick-off is next!
Simon McMahon has emailed. “Hi Alex. You’re dead right,” he says. “For both these teams, the permutations are irrelevant unless/until they win.
After 11 straight defeats against Ireland, victory in Dublin would vindicate Gregor Townsend’s faith in his playersTrusting the process. It sounds like a fine idea in principle: although it really depends if your process was any good in the first place.Gregor Townsend faced down a familiar cacophony of criticism after Scotland’s opening defeat by Italy last month. The same old shortcomings had been exposed, it was said, and another year of disappointment beckoned. Townsend had insisted the embar
After 11 straight defeats against Ireland, victory in Dublin would vindicate Gregor Townsend’s faith in his players
Trusting the process. It sounds like a fine idea in principle: although it really depends if your process was any good in the first place.
Gregor Townsend faced down a familiar cacophony of criticism after Scotland’s opening defeat by Italy last month. The same old shortcomings had been exposed, it was said, and another year of disappointment beckoned. Townsend had insisted the embarrassing capitulation against Argentina in November, from 21-0 ahead, was a “line in the sand moment” – only to see that line swiftly washed away in the sheeting Roman rain.
Gregor Townsend knows how quickly hope can turn to despair but their performance against France could spur them on to greater heightsThe feeling that Scotland might just have the hang of this winning thing continues to build. Playing dazzling rugby every now and then has never been a problem. Meaningful wins? Harder to come by.Perhaps the most entertaining part of the extraordinary win against France – and there were, how to put this, quite a few of those – was watching the resolutely unmoved di
Gregor Townsend knows how quickly hope can turn to despair but their performance against France could spur them on to greater heights
The feeling that Scotland might just have the hang of this winning thing continues to build. Playing dazzling rugby every now and then has never been a problem. Meaningful wins? Harder to come by.
Perhaps the most entertaining part of the extraordinary win against France – and there were, how to put this, quite a few of those – was watching the resolutely unmoved disposition of Gregor Townsend. As if it was no big deal. Seven tries and 50 points against the red‑hot favourites for the title. All in a day’s work.
Townsend: ‘This is very significant but it’s round four’Kyle Steyn expected to be fit for final match in DublinGregor Townsend remained ice cool after Scotland’s exhilarating seven-try victory against France, which keeps them in the hunt for the title with one round to play, a position Scotland have never known in the Six Nations. The win was no big deal, he seemed to be saying.“There have been other games where it’s probably meant a lot to the group,” he said, “whether it was a response or to b
Townsend: ‘This is very significant but it’s round four’
Kyle Steyn expected to be fit for final match in Dublin
Gregor Townsend remained ice cool after Scotland’s exhilarating seven-try victory against France, which keeps them in the hunt for the title with one round to play, a position Scotland have never known in the Six Nations. The win was no big deal, he seemed to be saying.
“There have been other games where it’s probably meant a lot to the group,” he said, “whether it was a response or to break a record – away from home in Paris or Wales, or beating England for the first time in a number of years. So they maybe are the ones that have more significance. This [win] is very significant, but just now it’s round four. And it gives us a chance to win in round five.”
Scotland 50-40 FranceTeams share 13 tries and go into final weekend level at topSo maybe France are not as good as we thought. Maybe England not as bad. Italy definitely better. But Scotland. Bloody hell.This was a rout of the Six Nations favourites, an absolute rout. The scoreline, outlandish though it may seem from the championship’s serial underachievers, in no way flatters Scotland. Indeed, it might be said to underestimate how comprehensive this win was. Scotland’s regret will be to have co
Teams share 13 tries and go into final weekend level at top
So maybe France are not as good as we thought. Maybe England not as bad. Italy definitely better. But Scotland. Bloody hell.
This was a rout of the Six Nations favourites, an absolute rout. The scoreline, outlandish though it may seem from the championship’s serial underachievers, in no way flatters Scotland. Indeed, it might be said to underestimate how comprehensive this win was. Scotland’s regret will be to have conceded four tries in the last 15 minutes. That denies Scotland top-of-the-table status going into the final round. France remain on course, just about. Their bonus point, ending up with six tries out of the game’s 13, keeps them ahead of Scotland on points difference. Such is that margin, the title remains France’s to lose.
Six Nations updates from the 2.10pm (GMT) kick-off Sign up for The Breakdown newsletter | And mail Lee4 mins. It’s advantage Scotland as Ramos fumbles a Russell kick forward off his chest. He was under no pressure at all, but the sun is fierce on that side of the pitch and hindered him. Scotland scrum coming in the France half.2 mins. Some textbook take, recycle, kick periods from both sides; each probing for an opening via the boot and kick chasers. So far nothing doing for either. Continue re
4 mins. It’s advantage Scotland as Ramos fumbles a Russell kick forward off his chest. He was under no pressure at all, but the sun is fierce on that side of the pitch and hindered him. Scotland scrum coming in the France half.
2 mins. Some textbook take, recycle, kick periods from both sides; each probing for an opening via the boot and kick chasers. So far nothing doing for either.
Murrayfield as underdogs is a scenario Scotland like, and a third successive win would set up perfect Six Nations finaleThe mischievous will have eyes on Rome on Saturday in case of a historic win but the game of the weekend is in Edinburgh. Second versus first, Scotland versus France, entertainers versus entertainers. The title on the line. We could even have a champion by the end of it.If France win with a bonus point, that is it. The 2026 Six Nations will be theirs with a round to spare. One
Murrayfield as underdogs is a scenario Scotland like, and a third successive win would set up perfect Six Nations finale
The mischievous will have eyes on Rome on Saturday in case of a historic win but the game of the weekend is in Edinburgh. Second versus first, Scotland versus France, entertainers versus entertainers. The title on the line. We could even have a champion by the end of it.
If France win with a bonus point, that is it. The 2026 Six Nations will be theirs with a round to spare. One feels there will be tries in this game, so the prospect is real. Which would reduce the championship’s beloved set piece of Super Saturday to an exercise in ordering the also-rans and seeing if France can move ahead of Wales as the Six Nations’ most prolific purveyor of grand slams, with a fifth.
The hosts must conjure the spirit of their last title triumph, 27 years ago, when the sides meet at MurrayfieldEven now, 27 years on, Kenny Logan still remembers how good it felt. Back in 1999, as this year, Scotland were title outsiders before a crunch fixture against the defending champions, France. Beneath a bright blue Parisian sky they gloriously ripped up the script with five first-half tries and, thanks to England’s late implosion against Wales at Wembley a day later, hoisted the trophy a
The hosts must conjure the spirit of their last title triumph, 27 years ago, when the sides meet at Murrayfield
Even now, 27 years on, Kenny Logan still remembers how good it felt. Back in 1999, as this year, Scotland were title outsiders before a crunch fixture against the defending champions, France. Beneath a bright blue Parisian sky they gloriously ripped up the script with five first-half tries and, thanks to England’s late implosion against Wales at Wembley a day later, hoisted the trophy at Murrayfield in front of 15,000 fans on the Monday.
For Logan, who landed five successful kicks on that famous afternoon, the timeless lessons of the story are twofold. The first is that Scotland have failed to win the tournament since; and the second is that, at times like this, fortune favours the brave: “When we went to France that year we took the game to them. That’s what Scotland will do this weekend – and probably do it better than we could.”
Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawedFrance (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with a round to spare, setting up a rousing grand slam opportunity in Paris. Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attacking grace,
Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawed
France (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with a round to spare, setting up a rousing grand slam opportunity in Paris. Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attacking grace, not least “King” Louis Bielle-Biarrey who has been spectacularly good. How many other sides in the world, aside from South Africa, can also interchange their second-row and midfield pairings without missing a beat? Or casually whistle up gifted youngsters such as Fabien Brau-Boirie, Émilien Gailleton and Gaël Dréan who all look instantly to the manner born. When you factor in the squad’s collective ability with and without the ball – to date France have scored the most tries, 18, and conceded the fewest, five – the future looks dazzlingly bright.
Scotland (11pts) The script has previously been a familiar one. Bask in the rosy glow of beating England, only to come crashing to earth in their next game. This time, finally, they have broken that pattern and still have their destiny in their own hands. France are due an off day and do not always prosper at Murrayfield while, before last Saturday afternoon, more than a few people would have backed them to cause problems in Dublin on the final weekend. The message will be simple: attack as smartly and accurately as they did in their Calcutta Cup fever dream and maintain the defensive organisation that has so far enabled them to concede just six tries in three games. And, of course, keep Finn Russell fit. The quick‑thinking restart that helped to bail his team out against Wales was merely the latest example of his whirring creative brain. A shoutout, too, for Kyle Steyn and Rory Darge who lead the way, respectively, for defenders beaten and turnovers won in this year’s championship.
Wales 23-26 ScotlandFinn Russell scores 11 points in second-half turnaroundScotland pulled off a dramatic comeback win against Wales to back up their impressive Calcutta Cup success the previous week. Hosts Wales had the lead until the 74th minute thanks to a spark lit by the wing Josh Adams, leaving the visitors with a feeling that they were lucky to come away with five points, which sent them to the top of the Six Nations table.This was just the third time Scotland have won the match directly
Finn Russell scores 11 points in second-half turnaround
Scotland pulled off a dramatic comeback win against Wales to back up their impressive Calcutta Cup success the previous week. Hosts Wales had the lead until the 74th minute thanks to a spark lit by the wing Josh Adams, leaving the visitors with a feeling that they were lucky to come away with five points, which sent them to the top of the Six Nations table.
This was just the third time Scotland have won the match directly after a victory over rivals England in the Six Nations and their second-half resurgence came at the hands of their maverick Finn Russell. Who else could it have been? The fly-half is one of the best in the world and has been the architect of Scotland’s biggest victories over the last few years. He was largely quiet in the first 40 minutes, such was Wales’s impressive start, but two fast-paced tries either scored or created by Russell set Scotland on the comeback path.
Scotland pinch victory over spirited Wales five minutes from time in thrilling Six Nations contest in Cardiff. Yes, we know the team is struggling, but the Principality Stadium looks incredible!If you are a rugby fan and you’ve not visited this cathedral, get your accountant on the line and book yourself a trip.I am not a confident Welsh fan. There are so many issues at the moment, it’s hard to know where to start. The WRU is spectacularly badly run. We were fortunate to have a couple of generat
Scotland pinch victory over spirited Wales five minutes from time in thrilling Six Nations contest in Cardiff.
Yes, we know the team is struggling, but the Principality Stadium looks incredible!
If you are a rugby fan and you’ve not visited this cathedral, get your accountant on the line and book yourself a trip.
I am not a confident Welsh fan. There are so many issues at the moment, it’s hard to know where to start. The WRU is spectacularly badly run. We were fortunate to have a couple of generations of genuinely World Class players between the mid 00’s and 2020ish, and considering the resources available, population, player base etc, that was always likely to drop off at some point. But I don’t think anyone expected the drop-off to be quite so drastic. We kept being told that it was a young side who would gained experience and improve. But that’s been a stuck record for 4 years or so. There’s no identity to the team. When you watch them, you often cant see what they’re trying to achieve. The basics, the flipping basics(!), are repeatedly falling apart. The first quarter against England was as bad a spell of international rugby as you’re ever likely to see. I don’t know where to go from here. It’s hideous.
Wales captain wants energy from home supportersGalthié beefs up pack for visit of in-form ItalyThe Wales captain, Dewi Lake, has urged fans in Cardiff to lift his side for the Six Nations meeting with Scotland on Saturday.After last week’s record thrashing by France, Wales have lost 13 consecutive Six Nations matches, while Scotland arrive at the Principality Stadium in upbeat mood after their handsome Calcutta Cup triumph over England. Continue reading...
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