The 2026 Six Nations opened with a statement victory as France punished Ireland in the standout fixture of round one, while England thrashed Wales and Italy edged Scotland in a contrasting opening weekend.
France takes imperious victory over Ireland
The opening game of this year’s Six Nations was hardly a close fight, as France dominated the Irish in a statement 36-14 win at home in the Stade de France.
Young French star Louis Bielle-Biarrey took centre stage as he scored two out of the side’s five tries on the night, helping them secure an early bonus point.
“It was magic. France can flip and flop to different styles seamlessly. There is so much you have to contend with playing against them. You don’t know which fire to put out first,” Chris Ashton said on Rugby Union Weekly.
“It’s got to be a worry for everyone.”
France flies to Cardiff to face a struggling Wales in round two.
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Italy pip Scotland in rain-soaked Rome
It was a strong start for notoriously slow Italy as they snatched an 18-15 win over a lacklustre Scotland in a weather-dominated game.
Louis Lynagh and Tommaso Menoncello each scored early tries for Italy, whilst Scotland answered back, it came down to penalties and missed conversions for Italy to secure the win.
“It makes you feel very confident in what you can do,” Italian captain Michele Lamaro told BBC Sport.
“So now we’ve got a dream in our head. We keep going on.”
Italy head to Dublin to face Ireland next week.
England batter Wales in statement win
If there’s any other team that looks set to match the mighty form of the French this Six Nations, it’s Steve Borthwick’s England side.
His team put seven tries past the Welsh in a mighty 48-7 win, also gaining them a vital, early bonus point.
England’s young star Henry Arundell scored a first-half hat-trick of tries, with Wales’ only try coming from Josh Adams.
“England now realise where they can be,” Matt Dawson told Rugby Union Weekly.
“But you can see that winning a scrum is not enough, scoring a try, not enough, winning the game, not enough. They are setting the standards.”
England head up north to face the Scottish next game.
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