The 2025 Six Nations is nearly over, with only one spherical of fixtures remaining earlier than the champions will likely be topped.
For therefore lengthy, it appeared as if the trophy could be headed to Rome, the place Eire will likely be dealing with Italy. However final weekend modified all that as France delivered a memorable 42-27 win over Simon Easterby’s aspect.
That consequence greater than every other has shaken the standings, however what does every staff must do to finish victorious?
Spherical 5 matches
Italy vs. Eire, Stadio Olimpico, Rome. 2.15 p.m. GMT
Wales vs. England, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 4.45 p.m. GMT
France vs. Scotland, Stade de France, Paris. 8 p.m. GMT
Eire
Highest potential end: Champions
Lowest potential end: Fourth
Up first this weekend will likely be Eire, who had been hoping {that a} win over Italy would have delivered a Grand Slam and a report third-straight Six Nations title. As a substitute, their outlook is totally different now and their destiny determined by outcomes elsewhere.
Eire are third because it stands, one level behind second-place England and two behind leaders France. It signifies that they should safe a bonus-point victory after which hope that each Scotland stun France and that Wales at the least cease England from securing a bonus level.
England
Highest potential end: Champions
Lowest potential end: Fourth
With simply an away date towards wood spoon favourites Wales standing of their approach, England stay within the hunt to win their first Six Nations title because the COVID-19-shortened event in 2020.
Wales, regardless of their notorious 16-game shedding streak, may nonetheless pose a risk to Steve Borthwick’s aspect, however a bonus-point win would imply solely France may spoil their title ambitions.
They’ll want Scotland to supply an upset towards France in Paris. Any French victory, even with no bonus level, would cease England from profitable, given their factors distinction (20) is vastly inferior to France’s (106).
France
Highest potential end: Champions
Lowest potential end: Third
The duty for Fabian Galthie’s aspect couldn’t be less complicated: Win on Saturday and the spoils will likely be theirs.
There are different situations through which France may nonetheless win. Ought to Eire and England each lose their respective video games, then it is going to be wrapped up earlier than a ball is kicked. If both of these two sides style victory, although, France will likely be challenged to recover from the road towards a stuttering Scotland.
Scotland
Highest potential end: Champions (albeit unlikely)
Lowest potential end: Fourth
It could take a exceptional feat for Scotland to raise the title, though it may nonetheless occur on paper. They would want Italy and Wales to win their video games towards all odds and would then must themselves beat France by 52 factors for an enormous factors distinction swing. It could be the best finale to any Six Nations — maybe any sporting occasion ever — ought to it occur.
Let’s as a substitute deal with extra lifelike outcomes. Scotland want a win in the event that they re going to complete anyplace however fourth place. In that state of affairs, they’d go forward of Eire ought to Italy win. They might additionally go forward of defeated England ought to their level distinction (3) exceed theirs (20) on the closing whistle.
Italy
Highest potential end: Fifth
Lowest potential end: Picket spoon
For Italy, it is a case of wanting over their shoulders relatively than chasing a staff forward. With 4 factors, they’re an unassailable seven factors behind Scotland.
Nonetheless, Wales are simply behind the Azzurri with three factors. A bonus level for Italy could be sufficient to maintain Wales at bay ought to England win. Nonetheless, if Italy fail to beat Eire and don’t rating the 4 tries wanted for a bonus level, then Wales will fancy a shot at eclipsing them on the closing hurdle.
Wales
Highest potential end: Fifth
Lowest potential end: Picket spoon
It has been a dark event for Wales. And not using a win because the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a defeat to England could be nightmare-fuel for any Welsh rugby fan as they’d then look towards a summer time nonetheless needing to finish the streak.
Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless room for achievement on Saturday, even when the undesirable shedding streak continues. A bonus level could possibly be sufficient to raise interim boss Matt Sherratt’s aspect to fifth place, ought to Italy be unable so as to add to their factors tally.
A low-scoring defeat would imply Wales finish in final place, although, with numerous soul looking from the WRU to comply with.
– Overreactions: Marcus Smith cements fullback spot? Eire want reset?
– Tom Hamilton from Twickenham: England do Italian job, preserve title hopes
– Who may change Warren Gatland as Wales head coach?
– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ basic video games
– Six Nations and Ladies’s Six Nations: Full fixture listing
