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
Oh, they can fuck right off with these adverts.
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First scrum set-up advert. Boycotting Samsung now.
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Fuck. Jalibert scores.
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Missed the first try, 12-0 after 22 minutes. Game a bit disjointed, but not surprising as a first hit out.
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I’m just hoping we don’t get nilled now.
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That was a brilliant try. Bastards.
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Crickey! That’s a helluva try! Wow! Ireland all at sea here.
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So THAT France have turned up…
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watching on Peacock, so no ads. Also, no ref mie for first few minutes, and missed it, even karl Dixon. France looking a bit on. Ireland need some stabilisation now. Lovely try by a prop and 2 second rows.
Dang, another mistake. By O’Brian.
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22-0. Holy fuck. I hope we find something to do in the second half.
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Beirne having an uncharacteristic ‘mare.
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Wow, half time already. Ireland need a breather and reset. Still in it if they tighten up and score first, but they really have shown nothing so far, and France could have easily had a couple more but for the bounce of the ball.
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Find something to do ? Like walk the dog or take some soup to a sick neighbour, so you don’t have to watch from behind the sofa, Thaum ?
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SBT – it’s dark and rainy. Keeping the spiders company seems more congenial.
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what is the point of Prendergast?
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You know, I’d completely forgotten Stockdale was playing, until they mentioned him at half time.
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McCloskey is not getting enough ball. Leinster conspiracy.
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Slade
what is the point of Prendergast?
I no longer remember.
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Young Sam certainly not covering himself in glory. He really should have made a better attempt at tackling Jalibert when he scored, really doesn’t have much presence, looks a little overawed, tbh.
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That was even MORE ridiculous!
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Oh well.
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Well, I’m already boycotting Virgin businesses.
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Not nilled! Timoneeeeeeyyyy!
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The comeback is on?
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Comeback is on! Ulster players doing it for the country.
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Dupont looking tired.
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Dupont off – good!
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Ryan trying to get a yellow in the last couple of minutes?
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That was right on the edge from Ryan.
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A drubbing. Well done, France..
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Well deserved win for France. Bloody scary – if they don’t switch off for 20 minutes.
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Young fella on the right wing deserved that try, he played well. Should be educational for Faz, Timoney and Conan made a big difference, thought Crowley did too. Ireland could have had a couple more there, just s France could have in the first half. Serin isn’t much of a step down, tbh. Jalibert MoM for me, just ahead of Ramos and the 2nd row that got it.
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Very impressive from France up until the substitutions, watching them play like that is a joy even if it did then mean that the last half hour was pretty flat. Both starting second rows were outstanding, how Ollivon wasn’t in the list of ‘contenders’ for man-of-the-match I’ll never know.
Watched most of it on ITV player, can I take it the ‘in-game’ ads happen on the telly too? Didn’t think much of the coverage on a number of fronts and would prefer a less one-sided game, but there was still plenty to enjoy.
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Think I saw 2 adverts at scrum times – Samsung and Virgin. Enough bloody ads on ITV without in game ones. At least neither of them were Lol inna towel.
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Yep, overall, well done France, new faces, and an impressive display in pretty poor weather. Ireland just looked off the pace for most of the game, and if we are talking about ‘test match animals’ , Prendegast doesn’t look like one. He actually doesn’t look that interested half the time. Relying on the pack monstering the opposition doesn’t work anymore. DUpont did make a couple of superb clearances in his last 20mins, but I thought he was blowing from about 50 mins, had lost his usual zip, and could have benefited from a breather. Glad Serin got another cap, and looked zippy, he has a lovely pass, and would probably have 100 caps by now in any other six Nations team.
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Manny Feyi-Waboso apparently pulled out of training today with a leg injury. Shame for him. Could be Freeman back to wing and Slade or Ojomoh to come in if he doesn’t recover ?
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He’s probably taking pity on us which is understandable as he might well have been playing for us if all the fancy schools and the best career route weren’t over the border.
He’ll recover now and score five tries, not that it matters who does that…
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Maybe the Sons of Glyndwr put the hard word on him.
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what is the point of Prendergast?
Arrigo Sacchi said (of Steven Gerrard) “he’s a great footballer, but perhaps not a great player.”
Prendergast impresses – in training- with his long spiral kicks (see pen that led to 1st try) and his long passing range – which helps Ireland get the ball out to the 15s (we’ll ignore his defence here)
But he can’t / doesn’t apply those skills to help the team – the volley up the wing to a team that love “transition” (aka broken play), the wide pass thrown and intercepted by Attisogbe. He doesn’t seem to “read” the game.
He did well intercepting that pass inside – then instead of turning, taking the tackle – and it’s on the forwards to get there in support (as I was told many years ago) – instead he runs away, throws a hospital pass to O’Brien – O’Brien doesn’t expect to and does well to catch it. You’d lose your life if an U14 did that
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@sbt
Glad Serin got another cap….would probably have 100 caps by now in any other six Nations team
I remember seeing him with the U20s and thinking “that’s the French 9 for the next 10 years….”
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At half time, I thought we’d ship 50 – and despite the impetus given by the bench – we could still have.
With the weather – plan seemed to be to “off-ball” France – but we hardly came “within an ass’s roar” of regathering a kick.
Lots of players played poorly – Sheehan invisible on the field (lineouts ok) – but France hardly completed, Ringrose and van der Flier likewise, McCarthy – missed tackles, gave away a dumb penalty and got easily stopped in the carry, Osborne – too slow for full back, Gibson Park wasn’t great and we already done Prendergast. Doris carried a lot but made very little ground
McCloskey tried hard but hardly got a pass as everything was kicked away. Stockdale – spent the day chasing high kicks. Timoney probably showed he ought to start, Milne put himself around in the loose, Loughman did ok at the scrum, Conan also did ok. Crowley tried as few things but ought to have been given a go at 10 – 29-0 down the game was hardly in the balance
Maybe its the Lions hangover
Maybe it’s the case that too many of this team have been flogged (in some cases – Sheehan for example – it’s both 1 and 2)
Maybe it’s the case that in flogging the same old core they’ve broken down (Porter, Furlong)- we’re now suddenly having to try players with minimal experience (and in case of Timoney and Milne – doing ok) and it looks janky
Maybe we’re reaching the end of line with this group – and the refreshing should have started in 2024
We’ll probably go full strength vs Italy (and Wales) – can’t risk losing with newbies – so everyone who played last night get a chance to “redeem themselves” and players who might have gotten experience will be left off te team or given 5 mins at the end…..
I’ve probably written here 5 or 6 times that the time to start building towards RWC2027 was last year (at the latest) – and predicted we wouldn’t …
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When he was with the France U20s team Jeaneau was absolutely outstanding. As good as he is, I’m not sure Serin even gets in the France squad if Jeaneau and Lucu are fit.
No slight intended, it’s just part of the ridiculous depth France have. Which other team leaves out Fickou, Aldritt and Penaud?
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I’ve just heard that one of the Italian locks that is playing against Scotland this evening tips the scales at 148kg
which is heavier than Will Skelton.
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I’ve just been out to get a couple of beers for tonight’s game. It is horrible out there, there is a storm coming in from the North Sea and it’s wet, windy and freezing, the Coastguard and RNLI have warned people to stay away from the coastline.
On my way home I heard the sound of probably the most optimistic person in the country right now – the chimes from an ice cream van.
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Another test
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So
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Wow, wrote lenghty essays about France win last night, all of them lost in the internet limbo. The price to pay to be computer challenged . Ach…. minor problems. Let’s see if this work better from my home computer.
The gist of my posts was that Galthié masterminded the win. He chose “light” and mobile forwards, knowing the Irish scrum was no threat, basically playing with 5 back rowers, and excellent wings in the aerial battle. Hence no Alldritt, Penaud, and ageing FIckou.
France regathered most garry owens, which suited their style in counter attack, as they like nothing more than chaos and improvisation. Am genuinely surprised that Ireland did not identify the problem quicker.
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A special note for Ticht.
You may remember that someone once wrote on the old blog that there were four world class hookers in Llanelli alone. If only…
Down below is a list of 40 players who could have played last night for France without a big drop in quality (except at SH and FB of course). Am not saying they are world class, obviously.
1 row: Baille, Wardi, Tatafu, Priso.
Hookers: Lamothe, Cramont, Barlot
2 row: Flament, Woki, Brennan, Staniforth, Gabrillagues, Tuilagi.
3row: Alldritt, Boudehent, Roumat, Capilla, Matiu, Fischer.
SH: Lucu, Le Garrec, Jauneau, Couilloud.
FH: Ntamack, Seunes, Hastoy, Desperes.
Centers: Néné, Fickou, Danty, Barassi, Brau-Boirie, Gailleton.
Wings: Dréan, Penaud, Villière, Arfeuil, GrandDidier, Lebel
FB: Jaminet, Buros, Barré.
Of those only a handful are injured. So Galthié has the luxury to pick up the players he wants for a particular style. Of course, the spine will remain the same. Ramos, Dupont, Marchand, Cros, Ollivon, Flament, LBB etc are better than than their concurrents but most others could be swapped indifferently.
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Ticht – I’m not sure which Italy v Scotland match you’re talking about, as the A’s and the U20s are playing tonight, but the Italy U20s number 5 is a MASSIVE unit.
Less than 2mins in and the Italy 11 is in trouble for a tip-tackle.
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Scotland A draw 24 all with Italy A. Supposed to be on YouTube, but not easy to find. SRU website didn’t even provide a link to watch it.
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