The squads have been announced, the photo-ops done, the pre-tournament blathering from the coaches and captains is out of the way, and what do we know about the 2026 Six Nations? It’s sponsored by Guinness. Much more than that, it’s difficult to say who will end where, and who will lift the trophy come mid-March. Also, BKT sponsor the tyres for those torturous bus trips from the hotels to the stadia. Who knew? What we do know are the squads and schedules, which make for some fascinating (or not) speculation:
England
Nailed-on favourites to win the whole thing, of course, possibly with a Grand Slam thrown in: ask the English media, they’ll tell you, just like they do every year. Until the first loss, when the knives come out. Comedy gold. This year is no different, with the caveat being that England really are a very, very good side and bubbling with confidence. Eleven-match winning streak, some audacious new talents led by the irritating irrepressible Henry Pollock under the leadership of St Maro, and possessing not just excellence in the forwards and backs, but depth through the 23 and broader squad. A gentle start to the tournament against Wales (sorry, Welsh fans) will set England up nicely for a feisty clash against Scotland at Murrayfield. A potential banana-skin, but England should have too much in the tank for Scotland, and can move back to HQ against Ireland for a massive clash with confidence. A lesser clash against Italy follows, as a nice warm up for probably the tournament-defining Test against France in Paris. Possible weaknesses? Not many: maybe a callow set of props, but it seems to be an area of general parity in the north at the moment.
Prediction: England to win it all! Or maybe fall at the last against France.
France
Which France will turn up? The return of the world’s best player is a huge boost for France, and Dupont’s club form in the last couple of weeks has underlined his status as an out-and-out matchwinner. That said, France will be hoping he doesn’t get injured, because the nine cupboard is (comparatively) bare after that with Lucu, Jauneau and Le Garrec all out for the first couple of matches at least. A bit of a creaky front row, potentially, but plenty of boeuf in the pack. The exclusion of Aldritt, in particular, raises eyebrows though. Outside of Dupont, the likes of Depoortere, Moefana, Jalibert, Ramos and LB-B provide threats across the park – and I’d love to see them in full flight!
France open their campaign with a must-win match against Ireland in Paris. The form of French sides in the Euro competitions suggests that Toulouse+ vs Leinster+ (just joking!) will be a tight affair, but with Ireland struggling a bit for form, France should win with a bit to spare. A trip to Wales, and hosting Italy after that, will give Galthié time to tinker before the potential banana-skin in Edinburgh. What is it with the bloody Scots and potential banana-skins? Finally, it’ll be the all-or-nothing clash with England in Paris, which should be the ‘Final’ of the tournament. France have enough to win it, but will they be able to stop an English juggernaut on a fifteen-game winning streak?
Prediction: France to win it all! Or maybe fall at the last against England.
Ireland
They’re shit. Only one top international side playing in green is worth talking about and they’re not in this tournament. Or so goes the conventional, ahem, wisdom. They’re not shit, far from it, and with Leinster starting to purr in the URC and Champions Cup, with plenty of good players in the other three sides as well, Ireland are probably more in a transition phase than decline. They have problems at prop (along with everyone else, it seems), and their pack got bullied by the Boks (along with everyone else, so no measure there), but still have a core of excellent players capable of beating anyone on their day.
Perhaps also an issue at 10; with nobody really grabbing the jersey since Sexton hobbled off into the sunset, it could be a problem. The pack still has some fearsome beasts in it, and in Conan, van der Flier, Doris, McCarthy, Ryan, Sheehan and company, they’re well set in the starting 15.
It’s probably in the replacements they’re a bit light, and as the tournament goes on any injuries will be keenly felt. In the backs, Keenan makes a timely return, JG-P’s form will be key, and the mouthy man-bun will start at least one fight a match while grinning like a twat. But he scores tries. Plenty of talent in midfield and out wide, but will they get enough decent ball to use it?
A fearsome test first thing up in Paris, followed by a gentler home match against Italy, then away to England and you feel that’s all she wrote of their chances. Playing for pride against Wales and Scotland to finish the tournament, or hoping England and France stumble at some point.
Prediction: No better than third.
Italy
From perennial wooden spoonists to everyone’s second-favourite side as they build a style that’s easy on the eye, but also steely up front. The loss of Ange Capuozzo in particular, and also Sebastian Negri, is a major blow to their chances of progressing beyond the odd heroic win. That said, they still have some fine players in the Cannones (easy, easy): Fischetti, Ferrari, Lamaro, Garbisi, Menoncello, Brex, Lynagh and a couple of others. What they lack is depth, especially in the forwards, with quite a few players in single-figure caps. Italy can ill afford a bad run of injuries.
They kick off with a home match against Scotland, a must-win if they’re to contest for anything other than that sauce stirrer of yore, before heading across to Ireland and France for probable heavy defeats, even if they’ve given France a few scares recently. The Ritual Routing in Rome follows, with only Wales away to salvage their season.
Prediction: No better than fourth, probably not last.
Scotland
Oh, flower of Scotland. When will you bloom? It’s got to be this year that everything clicks, right? The Weedge are winding it up in the URC and Europe, Edinburgh a match in hand off the playoff spots, and some great talent playing in leagues across Europe. Can Finn rustle up some vintage form to dispatch the auld enemy again? Will Duhan and Darcy do the dance of death on desperate defenders?
On paper, Scotland have a wonderful attacking side, with Huwipoluto outside Russell, and plenty of options in the back three. The return of towering Johnny Gray to the second row should add some ballast, alongside Cummings and Gilchrist, whilst the back row is filled with excellent, mobile forwards. Hooker has Ashman, Turner and Cherry to pick (and go), but prop, despite Bok Beef, looks lightweight. Or perhaps it’s in the coaching box that the problem lies?
A potential banana skin against Italy (the peel on the other foot, as it were) in Rome first up, with an Italian side surely relishing going toe-to-toe with the Scottish backs. Next up, England at Murrayfield, and a must-win against them if they’re to get into contention for the top half of the table, followed by a nervy visit to Cardiff against a Wales side desperate for anything to cling to (keep yer kilts closed!). France at home and Ireland away seems a cruel way to finish things off.
Prediction: Not last, probably no better than fourth, capable of higher.
Wales
Home to the best anthem of the Six Nations and one of the best in the world. Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Land of our Fathers. I defy any rugby lover to keep a dry eye when sung at full pelt. The evocative words, the pride in nation, in land, in forefathers and the promise implicit in its singing to keep that pride and singular determination are spectacular. In the words of Caryl Thomas, Wales Women’s loosehead prop, “It doesn’t matter if I’m in tune or not when I’m belting it out [bet she is, all Welsh are]. When we get to “Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad”, it feels like you’re standing up for your nation. That’s a great feeling to have, and it makes me incredibly proud.” It was my dad’s favourite anthem after ours, and it still brings a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat to see and hear it sung wherever it’s performed, but no more so than at the old Arms Park, and now Millennium Stadium. Magical.
Wales kick off the tournament in wretched form, having shipped 177 points in the November Tests against the Pumas, All Blacks and Boks. They’re up against England at Twickers, and much as I like Dewi Lake as a grand player, he’s filling in as skipper for the best player Wales have, in Jac Morgan. A glance at the squad is a who’s who of pretty ordinary club players, and you can expect a ruthless England to put them to the sword over 80 minutes. It doesn’t get easier with France in Cardiff next, followed by a Scotland side wanting to stay in the race, then Ireland trying to keep in the race too. By the time Italy arrive for the last weekend, Wales will have Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed. They won’t be free.
Prediction: Anything more than sixth will be positive, higher than fifth will be great, above fourth will be investigated for match fixing.
Delightfully described by Deebee7
Great stuff, Thaum!
Scotland should be disappointed with anything worse than third, but a tough ask given they play Ireland away last.
1/2 a toss-up between England and France
3/4 Scotland/Ireland
5 Italy
6 Wales
Whatever, really looking forward to the thing.
p.s. Anyone see Pau vs Toulon? Cracking game …………………..
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Test
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Good work Deebee.
France to win it and Scotland as my dark horse.
Crashed my phone last week without having saved anything for the past two years. Not smart, definitely.
Could anyone direct me to the 6N AoD prediction game, so I can make a fool of myself yet again?
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Slade – I am thinking that the pic at the top will reveal the final standings.
Well okay, it might be completely mad to imagine Wales coming third in their current state. The mister and I had a good laugh over the final line ATL.
Flair – do you mean the Superbru thing that people keep talking about? Afraid I can’t help you more than that, but perhaps you can search on the site?
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ps No, did not see Pau v Toulon.
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Flair – I also note that since your phone crash, you are now the soldier who only posts once. Small mercies!
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Flair – Claw’s gonna send you a ‘Bru invite.
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Thanks Refit.
Thaum, I may post only once at a time but I have to register every time, and my posts do not appear immediately, sometimes not at all. Probably for the better, I hear.
Pau vs Toulon was excellent. And some tries by Toulouse vs Bayonne simply stunning, considering it was a B team at best.
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ah… I had a long involved comment about Munster vs Glasgow and lost it
Anyway, quick version – at half time looked like we would ship 50, so a TBP and – almost – a LBP was bonus territory.
Butler at 10 had a poor game. I feel for him as he was under huge pressure. He’d been thrown in vs Dragons the previous week when he probably had expected to come in for 20-30 at the end with the match “Won” – and it wasn’t good (at one point he misjudged a kick and sidefooted it back into the 22 then kicked directly to touch – playing it with his foot was like I’d expect from a U16 newbie who’d come over from soccer or football)
Now he had to start again and put in some kind performance with a 19yo understudy on the bench – playing for his professional career essentially – and it was worse.
Munster have now conceded an early lead of 10+ points in last 5-6 matches and running to catch up is killing them.
Wood came on and was an improvement at 10 – but anything he did had to be an improvement….
Kelly scored a great try and Gleeson was alert to a blown line out.
Glasgow were good – even without their internationals.
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@deebee
To echo Craigsman – formerly of this parish – “words, Deebee”
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Nothing to arg ue with in this summary – England and France to dispute the championship, Ireland and Scotland to argue over 3rd / 4th.
From the Irish point of view – we’re hoping that France aren’t all there in the first match. More likely a repeat of last year in Dublin – we hang around for a while, get blown away, and a few consolation scores make us feel a bit better. Probably hoping that France repeat Twickenham last year and lose a match they ought to have won.
Can Scotland continue to self destruct against us – one thinks of the line by Vitas Gerulaitis when he finally beat Connors – “nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 18 times in a row”. This year is probaby as good a chance as any for Scotland to break the run.
Ireland – down on looseheads and fullbacks. Stats on LHs are ludicrous – Porter played something like 70% of all minutes in last 5 years. Next was/is Cian Healy. Loughman (apparently pronounced Lukeman in his locality), and Milne have a couple of subs appearances each – or switch Tom O’Toole (!). TH isn’t much better – Furlong is just back, as is Bealham.
Fullback – choices are Keenan – just about back from injury, Osborne – likewise, or Stockdale (who is favoured to replace Lowe on the left)
At 10 – seems like Prendergast to start – with maybe Crowley as he can cover 12 and 15 if needed. Interesting stat bounced around there recently – for all the hoo-hah over Crowley’s goal kicking – all three (including Byrne) are around low 70s
Leinster have shown better form since their early season defeats by Stormers and Munster but they’re not blowing teams away as of old – they’re scraping through.
Expect to beat Italy and Wales (both at home) and lose to France and England.
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La composition du XV de France
15. Thomas Ramos ; 14. Théo Attissogbe, 13. Nicolas Depoortere, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey ; 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Antoine Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Oscar Jegou , 8. Anthony Jelonch, 6. François Cros ; 5. Mickaël Guillard, 4. Charles Ollivon ; 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 2. Julien Marchand, 1. Jean-Baptiste-Gros.
Remplaçants : 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Régis Montagne, 19. Hugo Auradou, 20. Emmanuel Meafou, 21. Lenni Nouchi, 22. Baptiste Serin, 23. Kalvin Gourgues.
No major surprise here. And no, Galthié’s choices ( no Alldriit, Fickou nor Penaud) are neither a gamble nor smack of desperation as Planet Rugby would like you to believe. These players were out of form and Galthié has plenty of choice.
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Some unfamiliar faces for most of you I guess.
Jegou (23yo) with LaR is in the mold of Olivier Magne.
Auradou (23yo) with Pau, a bit like his father.
Nouchi (23yo) was the U20s captain and already captains Montpellier.
Gourgues (21yo) has cemented his place, starting for Toulouse.
France might experience problems with the scrum, although Ireland does not seem much better in this regard at the moment. Dreadful weather will probably favour Ireland but France should still have too much in the backs and with the bench. France by 15
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Ireland (v France)
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(10)
14. Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(69)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(23)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(40)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(13)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(46)
Replacements:
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@thaum
Pretty much as expected – Osborne in as Keenan not ready, Clarkson in as Furlong and Bealham not ready to start, Lowe out – recent form not good enough
Despite a lot of chat about Harry Byrne starting or benching – either Farrell not persuaded or need for Crowley to cover 10, 12, and 15 was too great with the need/want to have a 6/2 bench. Having said that – our 6/2 bench only has 1 second row. (which is I suppose an improvement on trying to play SA with none on the bench)
Loughman starts at LH – with Milne as replacement. Loughman can be a solid scrummager – so may help to deflect the impression that Ireland’s scrum is either illegal or based on gimmicks.
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It’s going to be weird watching a 6N match at close to midnight on a Thursday, but I can’t wait! Agreed with Flair, I’m afraid (for Irish supporters) – can’t see them getting turned over in Paris by Ireland.
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Trisk – yes, however I’m not sure that Stockdale’s form is any better than Lowe’s. He’s capable of both brilliance and idiocy, sometimes within the same two seconds. And I think he’s better at FB.
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Deebee – as someone else said above, our only hope is that France are slow off the starting blocks.
I doubt it, especially as Dupont is fit.
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Amazing, who would have thought that Mandelson would turn out to be a lying, cheating, backstabbing narcissist. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown must be shocked. Does MP actually stand for moronic prick ? The outrage and disbelief shown by the current government, notably Starmer and Streeting today, just goes to show that they are unfit for office, and the current clique with a vice grip on the Labour Party need to know that it is pandering to poisonous individuals like this has probably rang the death knell of their proud movement.
France by 12
Italy by 7
England by 19
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Italy to flatten Scotland, eh? Brave man, my hearty! It’s their best shot I suppose – at home, opening match so most of the squad fit and firing. It could actually be helluva match if both sides play to their strengths and give the ball a bit of air.
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Cool. ITV making their coverage actively worse.
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Fuck off, ITV!
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Fuck off ITV!
And TF1 as well. Public FTV2 has been the 6N broadcaster for yonks. But they have to cover the winter olympics as well so they had to sell several of the 6N games to privately owned TF1. Dreadful commentary and commercials between the anthems and the actual kickoff. When they hear what ITV gets away with, they’ll sure copy them. Ach….
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I’m not sure that Stockdale’s form is any better than Lowe’s
Farrell is very “loyal” to his core (of which Lowe has been prominent) and very loath to change except in case of injury or suspension, and will always return to that core as soon as they are available.
Form rarely comes into it unless it drops off a cliff – I don’t think that Farrell would do what Galthie did with Alldritt, Fickou, and Penaud. He kept Peter O’Mahony on even when the IRFU/Nucifora had decided he wasn’t worth a new central contract
I’m drawing from that – that Lowe must look off the pace in training – granted he was out injured – but in the past he’s bounced back very swiftly when in camp – clearly not this time.
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I can almost see it with POM, because his contribution to the team was, I think, more than just his own performance on the pitch. His sheer bloody-mindedness and ability to terrorise other players into performing had something to do with it.
On the down side, he was usually good for a card.
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Apparently ITV’s on-screen adverts will be during scrum set-ups: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/04/itv-in-game-ad-breaks-first-time-rugby-six-nations-television
We can also detect a cynical reason for extended water breaks.
I’m glad I’m old.
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For what it’s worth, my SuperBru predictions, kicking off this evening. I think France will just be a bit better across the park and ultimately have a bit of breathing space. As much as I’d like to see Italy do well, I’m not confident they’re up to beating Scotland, unless Finn has one of his off days. England, unfortunately for Wales, can probably pick a margin.
France by 9
Scotland by 6
England by 26
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I’ve said it before, and I hope I’m proven correct sooner rather than later: Wales have been dismal before and bounced back. The Boks put 96 points on Wales in 1998, only for Wales to win the following year. Between 2014 and 2018, Wales were our nemesis (outside of New Zealand) and won four on the bounce against us, and five out of six. They then handed that baton to Ireland.
The Boks have been there too – got smashed by all comers in 2006, with a record defeat against Australia (49-0), shipped 45 points against New Zealand in Pretoria, conceded 36 points in a losing cause against France in Cape Town that started a five match losing streak, and lost to Ireland and England on consecutive weekends in November. In 2007, we won the World Cup.
Incidentally, the Boks beat England in the second Test of that 2006 November tour, put 50+ on England in both Tests in SA in 2007 and 36-0 in the pool stages of the 2007 World Cup, before a narrow 15-6 win in the Final against England.
The Kiwis are going through a barren patch too, by their standards, with some Kiwis citing Razor’s record against SA as the key reason for falling on his sword, although truth be told, it started before his time, and the Boks have won 7 of the last 10 Tests against them. Australia too are having a shit time of it, although every Aussie worth his salt will tell you rugby is a minro sport not worth watching down there (until they win a couple of matches).
Sorry about the rambling, and SA focus in terms of results for teams, but there you are!
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On the down side, he was usually good for a card
Stats say otherwise – for Ireland 5 yellows and 1 red in 114 games.
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Stats say otherwise
More evidence (if any was ever needed) of the evil influence of IRFU on Dublin-based World Rugby. Should follow cricket’s example and move to a politically untainted and deeply honest state like Dubai. Oh. Thank goodness for FIFA, eh?
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Stop troubling me with facts, Trisk.
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Hmmm. Intra-Irish bickering. Nervous about the Pasting in Paris? The Flop in France? The Saint Denis Debacle?
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Yeah, I suppose it’s something of a sore point with Munster supporters that O’Mahony was regarded outside the province as some kind of madman – picking up yellows and reds Lavanini-style.
No angel – but most of the time stretched the line but didn’t break it.
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Trisk – I did think he picked up a lot of cards, but not Lavanini-style (ie dangerous tackles) – more using the dark arts!
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Kayser appears to be wearing sewer-cleaning gloves, or similar. Bless.
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France, England, Scotland to win.
Two easy wins and one hard win.
Not sure how second sentence will match up with first.
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Here we go. Watched the Sarra Elgan fluff on tv last night, and thought it was thoroughly enjoyable, she really puts people at ease, and the interviews with ROG and Tam Tuipolatu were special. Nice warm up for this. Here we go, have fun all.
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SBT – oh, I missed that, but I do like Sarra Elgan.
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Almost time for kick-off.
Why did the last ad break start with pixellated meerkat genitals? I hate ITV.
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ITVplayer is the worst ever. You have to watch loads of lengthy adverts before seeing whatever it is, and it’s not always clear what you’re about to watch for the snooker, for example.
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My word that was close.
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Ooh. It’s a match already.
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There are worse ways to watch the match.
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What a kick by Osborne!
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It was! Still all very nervy, though.
Glad we don’t have Goode.
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I’m impressed with our line-outs. They’re usually been shite lately.
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How did France manage to do that?!?!?
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No, come on, there was a very forward pass.
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That is just ridiculous!
If it stands.
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WHAT??? Not even looking at it?
I wish I’d signed up for the fantasy team now. B-B would defo be on it.
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