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Buckle up, rugby fans—because 2025’s Six Nations is off to a roaring start.
On one side, you’ve got France flexing their muscles with a jaw-dropping shutout against Wales, and on the other, a resurgent Scotland lighting up Murrayfield.
Throw in Ireland’s nail-biter of a win over England at the Aviva, and you’ve got all the makings of a tournament that’s already firing on all cylinders.
Expect tries in bunches, controversial decisions you’ll be arguing about for days, and underdogs looking to flip the script. So settle in and enjoy the ride—this year’s Six Nations looks like it’s going to deliver in spades.
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France vs Wales (43-0)
France set the tone last Friday (31st January) with an unrelenting 43-0 demolition of Wales at the Stade de France. A 13th consecutive defeat now casts a dark cloud over Warren Gatland’s tenure.
From the outset, France looked impenetrable. It took just 18 minutes for Antoine Dupont to carve open Wales’ defense, his deft drop-kick finding Théo Attissogbe, who darted over the line. Ramos added the extras (19′).
Controversy flared as Attissogbe latched onto Dupont’s kick a couple of yards ahead of where many felt the pass originated. Calls for a forward pass went unanswered, and the try stood, much to Wales’ frustration.
With Wales reeling, France struck again. Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s razor-sharp footwork sliced through the defense (23′), doubling the tally.
Dupont orchestrated the attack with surgical precision, setting up three of France’s first four tries. His sensational offload to Bielle-Biarrey in the 40th minute sealed the bonus point before halftime.
With the fourth try secured, the hosts locked in the bonus point, heading into the break with an unassailable 28-0 lead by way of Bielle-Biarrey.
As the second half ensued, any hopes of a Welsh resurgence were swiftly crushed as France showed no signs of slowing down, and Wales conceded a fifth try at the stalwart efforts of replacement hooker, Julien Marchand, scoring from a driving maul (55′).
What soon followed had Wales scrambling as Ntamack’s pinpoint drop kick found Gailleton, who crossed for yet another French try.
Grégory Alldritt added to the misery, crashing over the line late on to round off a performance that was as dominant as it was demoralising for the visitors.
Amid the French brilliance, however, there was one sour note: Romain Ntamack’s red card. The fly-half saw his night cut short for a reckless shoulder-to-head tackle on Ben Thomas, a costly decision that means he will miss the upcoming clash against England.
His absence for the England clash is a massive blow—France will now need a new playmaker to step up in a fixture that could define their title hopes.
Scotland vs Italy (31-19)
Scotland launched their 2025 Six Nations campaign in emphatic fashion, dispatching Italy with a clinical 31-19 victory at a raucous Murrayfield Stadium on February 1.
A masterclass from Huw Jones, who ran riot with a hat-trick of tries, ensured Gregor Townsend’s men got off to a flyer, reclaiming the Cuttitta Cup in the process.
From the opening whistle, Scotland were ruthless in attack and relentless in defense, and it took just four minutes for Rory Darge to crash over the line, setting the tone for what was to come.
Italy barely had time to settle before Jones added his first in the 9th minute, a slick backline move carving open the Azzurri’s defense. Murrayfield erupted.
But if Scotland thought Italy would roll over, Tommaso Allan had other ideas. The full-back kept Italy within reach with pinpoint accuracy off the tee, slotting two penalties to drag his side back into contention.
Scotland, however, had no plans of slowing down.
Ben White’s try in the 29th minute, courtesy of a silky offload from Dave Cherry, reasserted Scottish dominance, though Italy refused to go quietly.
Scotland’s control was shattered in an instant. Juan Ignacio Brex read the play perfectly, intercepting a loose pass and racing away untouched to score under the posts (42′). With Allan’s conversion, the score was locked at 19-19—suddenly, Murrayfield fell silent.
But this was Jones’ night. As the game hung in the balance, the centre turned on the style, twisting, stepping, and surging through the Italian defense, dotting down twice more in the 61′ and 66′ to seal the result.
The hat-trick hero had delivered when it mattered, ensuring Scotland’s Six Nations aspirations remain firmly on track.
A statement win to start the campaign, but a bigger challenge looms next—Ireland await.
Ireland vs England (27-22)
A clash of champions at the Aviva Stadium saw Ireland edge a resurgent England 27-22, but only after a game of two wildly contrasting halves.
England controlled the first half, but Ireland roared back, overturning a halftime deficit to snatch a crucial bonus-point victory
England landed the first blow through debutant Cadan Murley in the 9th minute, the winger latching onto Henry Slade’s perfectly weighted kick-through to dive over in the corner.
Marcus Smith added the extras (’10), handing Steve Borthwick’s side an early 7-0 lead. The visitors exuded confidence, their youthful squad unfazed by the Dublin cauldron.
Ireland believed they had an instant reply as Ronan Kelleher crashed over—but the TMO ruled Tadhg Beirne off his feet at the breakdown, chalking off the score.
Ireland kept probing and finally broke through in the 35th minute. Jamison Gibson-Park spotted a gap and darted over from close range, giving the hosts their first try of the match. The missed conversion left the score at 7-5, but momentum had begun to shift.
Just before the break, England extended their advantage as Smith’s penalty (’40+1) made it 10-5. But moments later, the fly-half went from hero to villain, seeing yellow for an offside infringement that left England down to 14 as they headed into the second half.
Ireland Turn the Tide
With England down to 14, Ireland wasted no time in seizing control. They emerged from the tunnel with renewed intensity, and the second half quickly became their stage.
Bundee Aki (52′) powered through England’s defensive line, shrugging off tackles to put Ireland ahead for the first time. Sam Prendergast added a penalty (56′) to stretch the lead, as the hosts began to take control.
England looked rattled, and Ireland pressed home their advantage. Tadhg Beirne (64′) crashed over after a dominant rolling maul, punishing the visitors for their fading discipline.
With England scrambling, Ireland turned up the heat.
Dan Sheehan finished off a sweeping move in the 72nd minute, bursting onto a sharp inside pass to touch down. Jack Crowley converted (73′), pushing Ireland out to 27-10 and seemingly putting the game beyond England’s reach.
England’s Late Fightback
But England refused to fold.
Tom Curry’s tireless effort paid off with a try in the 76th minute, keeping his side in contention. Then, with the clock deep in the red, Tommy Freeman powered over (80’+2), setting up a nerve-wracking finale.
Smith’s conversion narrowed the gap (80’+2), but Ireland held their nerve, seeing out the contest as champions do.
A five-point victory, but not without its warning signs.
Simon Easterby, leading in Andy Farrell’s absence, praised Ireland’s resilience but pointed to areas for refinement ahead of a bruising encounter with Scotland.
For England, this was a defeat that stung, but offered glimpses of promise. Steve Borthwick acknowledged the gulf in experience, highlighting Ireland’s cohesion against an English side still forging its identity.
For now, Ireland march forward—battle-tested and victorious. England, bruised but unbroken, will regroup before their next challenge.
What’s Next? Round 2 Incoming
One round down, but the drama is only just beginning. Round 2 of the 2025 Six Nations is set to raise the stakes even higher, with crucial clashes that could shape the title race.
England vs France (Twickenham, 8th February, 16:45 GMT)
A wounded France heads to Twickenham without Romain Ntamack, forced to reshuffle after his red card. Can Les Bleus maintain their dominance without their star playmaker, or will England—buoyed by their late fightback in Dublin—capitalise on home advantage? Expect fireworks in this Le Crunch showdown.
Scotland vs Ireland (Murrayfield, 9th February, 15:00 GMT)
Scotland stormed through Round 1, but now they face the ultimate test—taking down the reigning champions. Ireland’s forward pack will look to suffocate the Scots, while Gregor Townsend’s men must find a way to unlock one of the tournament’s most stubborn defences. A win for Scotland keeps their title hopes alive. A loss? And they could be playing catch-up.
Italy vs Wales (Stadio Olimpico, 9th February, 14:15 GMT)
It’s already feeling like a must-win game for both sides. Italy showed glimpses of brilliance against Scotland, but their set-piece fragility cost them. Wales, reeling from their crushing defeat in Paris, need a response—but with confidence low, a trip to Rome feels anything but routine.
The pressure is on, the stakes are rising, and Round 2 promises to be unmissable. Buckle up—because the 2025 Six Nations is only just getting started.