Guinness Men’s Six Nations: France pip England to title on dramatic final day

After a thrilling few weeks of rugby, the Guinness Men’s Six Nations is over for another year. On a dramatic final day, France were crowned champions as they ended their incredible tournament with a convincing win over Scotland.

England did everything they could to put the pressure on by thumping Wales but it wasn’t quite enough in the end. Meanwhile, Ireland also ended their campaign with a win as they came out on top in their clash with Italy.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations Table

Ireland bow out with win in Italy

Italy 17-22 Ireland

While Ireland started the day with hopes of securing a third successive Guinness Men’s Six Nations title, it was never likely considering the form of England and France. Yet on St Patrick’s Day weekend, there was positivity as a narrow win over Italy put Ireland top of the table, at least temporarily.

Having looked like champions elect for much of the last month, Ireland’s dramatic defeat at home to France last week took the wind out of their sails. And they weren’t at their dominant best in Rome, despite eventually getting the job done.

Monty Ioane opened the scoring as his try put Italy into the lead after 12 minutes. But after a shaky start, Ireland recovered and led at the break thanks to tries from Hugo Keenan and Dan Sheehan.

Italy made things harder for themselves after the break when Ross Vintcent was shown a red card for a high hit on Keenan. And the man advantage allowed Sheehan to complete a hat-trick and secure Ireland the win.

All good things must come to an end and while Ireland’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations dominance is over for now, you can guarantee they’ll be back even stronger next year as they look to win back their crown.

England put woeful Wales to the sword

Wales 14-68 England

Ahead of their final game in Cardiff, England’s mission was clear: win the match and put the pressure on France. Their Guinness Men’s Six Nations fate was not in their hands and they needed Scotland to do them a favour later that evening.

While France ultimately had the final say, England did everything they could, and in some style. Wales had been on a run of 16 consecutive defeats and in front of a roaring home crowd, they would have felt that they could turn things around against their noisy neighbours.

But Maro Itoje soon put an end to that as the experienced lock opened the scoring in the third minute. Wales thought they were back in it through a spectacular Blair Murray try but after it was disallowed, England took advantage and raced into a 33-7 half-time lead.

And they didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half as they ran away with it, ending the game with an incredible 10 tries. Two of those came from debutant Henry Pollock, who enjoyed a dream first outing for the national side.

For England, it was an incredible afternoon and while it ultimately didn’t end with the Guinness Men’s Six Nations trophy, it certainly gives them huge hope going forward. But for Wales, the inquest now begins.

Warren Gatland left his role as coach midway through the competition and others may follow. Wales’ last Test win came way back in October 2023 and after claiming their second successive wood spoon, who knows when their next one will come.

France see off Scotland to win Guinness Men’s Six Nations

France 35-16 Scotland

With France’s clash against Scotland coming last on the final day, they knew they only needed to win to be crowned champions. Their superior points difference meant that a bonus point wasn’t even necessary, which took the pressure off.

But rather than win ugly, France did what France so often do and scored four tries as they raced into the history books. The champions ended the competition with 30 tries, breaking the record England set way back in 2001.

Eight of those tries came from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who equalled the all-time single-season championship record. France claimed their second Guinness Men’s Six Nations title in four years, having last won it back in 2022.

Yet while the final result makes it seem like a walk in the park, it was anything but easy in the first half. Scotland battled well and only Thomas Ramos’ late penalty separated the two sides at the break.

England may well have been rubbing their hands at that point but it was short-lived, with Bielle-Biarrey’s early second-half try putting France back in the ascendancy. A Finn Russell penalty earned Scotland’s only points in the second half, which allowed France to comfortably take the points and secure their seventh title since the competition expanded to six nations.

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