Overview of Last Year's Six Nations
Last year's Six Nations championship saw a record number of tries, with 101 scored across 15 matches. France, the champions, concluded the tournament with 30 tries, the highest ever in a single Six Nations campaign. Notably, Les Bleus wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey set a new record by scoring eight tries in the tournament.
This year's Six Nations promises to be equally competitive and entertaining, with close contests anticipated throughout the campaign.
Team Assessments and BBC Pundit Opinions
France
France secured the Six Nations title last year, suffering only one defeat to England at Allianz Stadium. Despite captain Antoine Dupont rupturing cruciate ligaments in his knee during round four against Ireland, head coach Fabien Galthie's team managed to succeed without their key player.
Dupont has now returned and aims to demonstrate his capabilities on the sport's biggest stage. However, the team faces the loss of prop Uini Atonio, who retired due to a heart condition.
"I tried to get a good part of the injury off and spend it with my family and friends, so I can do other things and come back with more mental freshness," Dupont told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Galthie has made bold squad decisions, omitting France's all-time top try-scorer Damian Penaud, number eight Gregory Alldritt, and veteran centre Gael Fickou. Whether this strategy will be successful remains to be seen. The fixture list may favor France, with home games against Ireland and England enhancing their prospects of retaining the title.
"France have threats all over the park. How they differ from any other team in the Six Nations would be the fact that if they lose five of their top players, it doesn't matter," La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara told .
"France have a mentality of there is very little between certain players in certain positions - with the exception being Dupont."
England
Under Steve Borthwick, England enter the competition as genuine contenders, arguably for the first time during his tenure as head coach. England last won the Six Nations in 2020 and currently hold an 11-game winning streak.
With young talent now more experienced in Test rugby, the team appears poised to pursue a title. Emerging back rowers Henry Pollock and Guy Pepper have joined the matchday squad, while backs Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso offer significant attacking threats.
A potential Grand Slam decider in Paris awaits, with Borthwick openly encouraging his team to aspire for glory.
"The sky is the limit for these players, there's so much growth in them," Borthwick told .
"My job is to help them go execute on matchday. I believe we've got depth and competition that helps drive standards."
Ireland
Having won consecutive titles in 2023 and 2024, Ireland missed last year's competition due to Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions commitments. Ireland lost only one game last year to France but have since struggled to regain their previous form.
Farrell's squad is currently affected by injuries in key positions, with all three front-line loosehead props sidelined. The fly-half position remains under consideration, with Leinster's Harry Byrne challenging Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley for selection.
Upcoming away matches against France and England present significant challenges but may also provide opportunities for new talent to emerge within a settled group.
"We are hunting again and not being hunted, but that doesn't mean much," Farrell told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It is about what is in front of your face and your preparation. How you can connect as a team and grow.
"It is all about getting to that first game in Paris and believing what we are about as a team."
Scotland
Scotland's domestic and European performances have brought optimism following a mixed autumn campaign. Despite evident talent, Gregor Townsend's side has struggled with consistency in the Six Nations, finishing fourth in the last two tournaments.
"The expectation is always high for our team," Townsend said.
"I think on paper it is the best team we have had."
Fixtures against Italy (away), England (home), and Wales (away) could provide Scotland with opportunities to build early momentum for a title challenge.
Bath fly-half Finn Russell, aged 33, enters the tournament following a successful Lions tour and possesses the quality to elevate Scotland's performance. Captain Sione Tuipulotu, also a summer Lion, returns after missing last year's Six Nations.
"Everyone goes into the tournament to lift the trophy," Tuipulotu told .
"It would be a special moment for everyone to be the first Scottish team to do it."
