Rugby Union Discussion | Greatest Six Nations Ever?

What a sensational few weeks of Rugby Union

France we're ultimately crowned Six Nations champions but there was a lot more going on

Author | Stephen C

Debate over whether the 2026 Six Nations Championship might rank among the greatest editions of the tournament had already begun before the final weekend.

By the time round five arrived, the championship had delivered almost everything. Records had tumbled, shocks had arrived and several matches had turned into high-scoring classics.

For it to truly claim a place among the finest, though, the tournament needed a fitting finale. France against England in Paris provided exactly that.

With the final act of the championship, a penalty from Thomas Ramos drifted between the posts to secure a record eighth Six Nations title for that France side.

Ireland, who had earlier defeated Scotland 43-21 on Saturday to claim the Triple Crown, saw hopes of celebrating the title in Dublin slip away in the tournament’s closing seconds.

The gripping 48-46 French win delivered back to back championships for the side coached by Fabien Galthié, whose Grand Slam bid had ended the previous weekend with a remarkable 50-40 defeat at Murrayfield.

It was the France captain Antoine Dupont who eventually lifted the trophy high, fireworks bursting into the Paris night above a packed Stade de France.

Key moments from this season's championships

The championship began with a shock in Rome as Italy stunned Scotland, leaving head coach Gregor Townsend facing immediate scrutiny.

Scotland responded in emphatic fashion, dismantling England at Murrayfield to end their rivals’ 12-match unbeaten run.

Attention soon shifted to Steve Borthwick, whose side were comprehensively outplayed by Ireland as pressure began to build.

At the same time, Fabien Galthié’s France swept past Ireland, Wales and Italy with ease, creating a growing sense that anything short of a Grand Slam would represent a disappointment.

Scotland then produced one of the moments of the championship by blowing France away before a late flurry of tries narrowed the margin. The result still left them heading into the final round with a genuine chance of a first Six Nations title.

The drama deepened when Italy defeated England in Rome, adding further strain on Borthwick and his side.

Wales, though beaten in their opening four matches, improved steadily as the tournament unfolded and closed their campaign with an impressive bonus-point victory over Italy. They finished with a third successive Wooden Spoon, yet their first championship win since 2023 brought a measure of relief.

England, despite a more competitive display in Paris, ended the tournament with four defeats, their worst campaign in the competition’s history.