Guinness Men’s Six Nations: France, England, Ireland and Scotland in four-way title fight

The Guinness Men’s Six Nations returned with a bang at the weekend, blowing the title race wide open ahead of the final round of fixtures. Following France’s triumphant win in Ireland, they’re now in the driving seat.

But we’re set for a weekend full of twists and turns, with four nations still in with a mathematical chance of lifting the trophy. England need Scotland to do them a favour against France – they take on Wales, who look set to pick up a second consecutive wooden spoon.

Who can still win the Guinness Men’s Six Nations?

France
The French last won the Guinness Men’s Six Nations back in 2022 and they’re now the firm favourites to lift the trophy. They’re currently top of the table and will be guaranteed to win if they beat Scotland with a bonus point in the final game of the weekend.

They can also win without a bonus point and even if they lose or draw, provided England and Ireland fail to get maximum points and don’t catch their hefty points difference.

England
England need rivals Scotland to help them out by beating France – they’ll claim the championship for the first time since 2020 if they win with a bonus point and France fail to win.

Drawing or losing with bonus points could also secure them the title if France and Ireland both lose. If England finish level on points with France, they’ll need to beat them on points difference, although France currently have an 86-point lead.

Ireland
Ireland slipped to third in the table following their defeat to France, but they still have a chance of securing their third consecutive title. They need to beat Italy with a bonus point and hope France and England both fail to win.

Scotland
It’s been 26 years since Scotland’s last title and they’ll likely have to wait even longer for their next one – although they still have a very slim chance this year.

They need to beat France with a bonus point while also surpassing them on points difference, with the gap currently at 103 points. Plus, they also need England and Ireland to lose.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations Table

France beat Ireland to race into pole position

Ireland 27-42 France

Rewind a couple of weeks and Ireland were sitting pretty at the top of the table, dreaming of a second Grand Slam in three years. But they came unstuck against a resolute France at the weekend and now find themselves third in the table.

A low-scoring first half saw France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey score the only try before the break. Dan Sheehan got one back for Ireland two minutes after half-time, which set the tone for a frantic second half.

An end-to-end second period saw seven tries in total, with France edging the scoring thanks to a confident kicking display from Thomas Ramos. They now welcome Scotland to Paris and may have the title all but won before kick-off, with their clash coming last.

But they’ll sorely miss talisman Antoine Dupont, who left the field with a serious knee injury against Ireland. And convincing bonus point wins from England and Ireland will crank up the pressure, which could see France struggle.

Wooden spoon looms for Wales after defeat in Scotland

Scotland 35-29 Wales

Wales will have travelled to Scotland thinking it might finally be their week after they suffered their 15th consecutive defeat against Ireland last time out. But a 16th defeat was inevitable after Scotland blew them away before the break, racing into a 28-8 half-time lead.

Despite their poor start, Warren Gatland’s half-time team talk clearly had some impact as they were much improved after the break and scored three tries to make the score respectable.

But Scotland’s lead was unassailable by then and they ultimately ran out comfortable winners. For Wales, they’re set for another wooden spoon. Meanwhile, Scotland will be dreaming of the title – they still mathematically have a chance of winning, however unlikely it may be.

England dream of title as they see off Italy

England 47-24 Italy

England started as they meant to go on against Italy as Tom Willis opened the scoring with a try in the third minute. However, despite an impressive second-half display, Italy didn’t initially make it too easy.

The visitors pegged them back twice in the first half, before Ollie Sleightholme went over for a third to give England a four-point advantage at the break. And once they stepped out for the second half, there was only going to be one winner.

England were imperious at Twickenham, scoring three tries in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. The impressive performance was capped off by a seventh try from Ben Earl right at the death.

Steve Borthwick’s side showed that they mean business as they take the title fight to the final weekend. They’ll expect to get past Wales, and then face a nervous wait as France take on Scotland in the final game of a busy Saturday.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations week five fixtures

Italy v Ireland – Saturday 15th March, 14:15
Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Wales v England – Saturday 15th March, 16:45
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

France v Scotland – Saturday 15th March, 20:00
Stade de France, Paris

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