The 2025 Six Nations ended the best way most presumed it will earlier than the weekend’s finale. Eire beat Italy, though they wanted a Dan Sheehan hat trick to take action and England made remarkably gentle work of Wales as they romped to a 68-14 win, however it was France who ended with the title after a formidable second-half exhibiting in opposition to Scotland.
After a event that offered some shocks and a brand new champion, there may be loads of meals for thought, however are these reactions irrational or reputable? ESPN’s Tom Hamilton and James Regan weigh in.
Bounce to:
England | Eire | Wales
Scotland | France | Italy
Maro Itoje has given Lions a captaincy headache
For thus lengthy it regarded like Eire’s Caelan Doris was the person set to captain the Lions, however he endured a troublesome couple of weeks. In the meantime, Itoje’s inventory has soared. Might the England skipper lead the Lions this summer season?
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
It’s now a coin-flip for who’s Andy Farrell’s captain this summer season.
Itoje does not swear. He not often will get rattled. His management icons aren’t from sport. He’s an unconventional chief, however a superb one.
This was his first championship answerable for England, and he has finished an excellent job. Jamie George was a superb captain, however Itoje hasn’t skipped a beat as chief of the crew. Whereas for some the honour weighs closely on their shoulders and impacts kind, with Itoje it has had a galvanising impact.
He was monumental in opposition to Wales on Saturday, and acquired the backing from Steve Borthwick to captain the Lions this summer season. It’s uncommon for Borthwick to interrupt cowl like that in the case of one thing out of his management, however it was an enormous praise to Itoje.
The advantage of going for Itoje over Doris is that the England man has been on two Lions excursions already. Doris is extra acquainted to Farrell and is his go-to man to guide Eire into this subsequent period. It guarantees to be a captivating name.— Tom Hamilton
Eire ought to see this as a poor Six Nations
Eire got here into this event as favourites to win a 3rd title on the bounce. As a substitute, France hammered them in Spherical 4, they usually scraped previous Italy in Rome on Saturday. So, was it a complete failure?
Verdict: OVERREACTION
First, let’s look to the positives: 4 wins from 5 is an honest return, with the lone defeat in opposition to the eventual winners of the event, a gaggle who ought to’ve gained the Grand Slam however for some weird profligacy in opposition to England.
There isn’t any disgrace in shedding to this France crew.
It was a championship the place we noticed Sam Prendergast ushered ahead as their fly-half for the following decade. Jack Crowley had his probability on Saturday to push his declare, however was too wayward off the tee. Elsewhere, it was a event the place Eire bid farewell to a few astonishing warriors: Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony.
“The crew has to maneuver ahead and has to supply the following Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray,” interim head coach Simon Easterby mentioned afterwards. “That is the problem.”
This was a transitional event. With the Lions more likely to characteristic round 15 Irish gamers within the group, there’s an ocean of alternative for the perimeter Irish gamers to push their instances on Eire’s tour this summer season. They’ve an excellent group there to guide them ahead, however it’s the depth which is a priority.
At instances their dealing with was far too sloppy. Their defence was open. They lacked energy. This stuff will be solved however what they need to do is construct the following group of Irish greats. Eire have been punching above their weight for the previous decade, however they’ll need to work to remain on the high.— Hamilton
Wales’ shedding streak will final all of 2025
Wales suffered their seventeenth straight Check defeat on the weekend. All that pre-match optimism across the Matt Sherratt rebuild was brutally shattered by England.
Their subsequent scheduled recreation is in opposition to Japan in July, so this shedding run is not going to finish any time quickly. However will it final a second straight calendar yr?
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Sherratt and Jac Morgan regarded totally shattered after the defeat to England. Sherratt mentioned the loss had re-opened some outdated wounds. The psychosis of this shedding run is clearly deeply embedded on this Welsh crew. You are feeling for them.
Personally, Morgan has had an excellent Six Nations and does not deserve this. Blair Murray is unquestionably the unluckiest participant within the championship — having his attempt dominated out in opposition to Scotland, one other disallowed in opposition to England, after which having his ankle tapped by Luke Cowan-Dickie as he sprinted away.
As Sherratt mentioned post-match, there are inexperienced shoots of revival within the crew. You possibly can see the younger core rising. Saturday’s match was merely a step too far. One match too many. However the summer season tour ought to give them an opportunity to reset the place they’re going to face Japan over two Checks.
Wales ought to have a new-look teaching crew in place, and a director of rugby overseeing all the programme. It would really feel like an opportunity to begin once more.
If Morgan and Dewi Lake do not make the Lions squad, they have to be retained as leaders of the crew however the total problem is to construct depth in key positions. The win will come, and they’ll absolutely snap the shedding streak this summer season. — Hamilton.
France are able to rival Springboks, All Blacks
France had been beneath stress to ship a title after a disappointing residence Rugby World Cup in 2023 and only one Six Nations title to indicate for his or her golden technology. Now they will add one other title to the trophy cupboard at their Nationwide Rugby Centre in Marcoussis, Paris. However did this event present they’re able to rival the world’s greatest?
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
The win over Eire confirmed they will rise to the event when many thought it an unimaginable problem, whereas the outcome in opposition to Scotland was knowledgeable efficiency when stress and expectation had been at their highest.
Apart from the blip in opposition to England, which is able to little question nonetheless rankle Fabien Galthié, it has been an outstanding marketing campaign from France which has obtained them again on monitor after the disappointments of 2023 and 2024.
Perhaps essentially the most spectacular facet was how good they nonetheless regarded with out Antoine Dupont; Les Bleus remained a category above for essentially the most half in opposition to Eire and Scotland.
The problem now’s regeneration. Their highly effective front-row, whereas sill spectacular, is not getting any youthful. The hope can be there may be some contemporary blood coming by for the 2027 World Cup. If that is the case, they may little question be capable to match New Zealand and South Africa when the time comes.— James Regan
Finn Russell unsure for Lions No. 10 jersey
This yr’s Six Nations was one to overlook for an injury-hit Scotland squad. There have been predictable wins in opposition to Italy and Wales, however defeats to England, Eire and France left a bitter style. Amongst that had been underwhelming performances, together with from fly-half Finn Russell, however will it price him his Lions place?
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Whereas most of Scotland’s good in opposition to France got here from Russell, who managed his aspect admirably in making an attempt circumstances, Farrell will need to see extra from the mercurial expertise for the remainder of the home season.
Russell has the plain benefit of being a world class participant and his potential rivals for the jersey nonetheless fairly inexperienced. Fin Smith has checked out residence at fly-half for England however has solely had a handful of Checks. Sam Prendergast had flashes of vivid spots however was dropped for Eire’s final match, whereas Steve Borthwick remains to be in search of the very best place to place Marcus Smith. All logic nonetheless factors to Russell beginning within the large matches in opposition to Australia, however the door is ajar for others to show themselves. — Regan.
Italy’s greatest gamers allow them to down
Italy didn’t come final, so there was progress. However they did lose 4 of their 5 video games, with a few of these familiarly dispirating.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
We noticed flashes of what Italy can produce in opposition to Eire, like Ange Capuozzo’s chip and chase for Stephen Varney’s attempt, however they wanted much more of these moments. Gonzalo Quesada made a press release by ringing within the adjustments for his or her ultimate match, however it was too little too late.
After exhibiting good progress in 2024, this yr’s marketing campaign felt a step backwards, or a minimum of stagnation for the Azzurri.
It was solely a hapless Wales aspect who prevented them from choosing up the wood spoon. Italy had fewer bonus factors and, if it weren’t for the blowout in opposition to England, Wales’ factors distinction would have been rather a lot nearer.
Italy want far more from the likes of Capuozzo Paolo Garbisi, Tommaso Menoncello and co. to be aggressive within the Six Nations. — Regan
– Tom Hamilton from Cardiff: England fall brief however progress is evident
– WATCH: How England made historical past in Six Nations thrashing of Wales
– Six Nations and Girls’s Six Nations: Full fixture listing
– British & Irish Lions 2025: Australia tour fixtures
