The 2026 Six Nations has concluded, with France emerging as champions, yet for the third consecutive year, they did not achieve a grand slam.
Many have been quick to label the 2026 edition as the finest Six Nations to date, and while this may be a matter of opinion, the tournament showcased five rounds of thrilling rugby filled with numerous tries and unexpected developments.
Now that the tournament has wrapped up, how did each team perform?
Below are ESPN’s evaluations for the 2026 Six Nations.
France: A-
They required a last-minute penalty from Thomas Ramos to clinch their third title in five years, but such narrow margins can significantly impact job security and overall team morale. France started the Six Nations with impressive victories over Ireland and Wales, appearing set for a Grand Slam. They had to fight for their win against Italy in round three, but then faltered in Edinburgh against a Scotland side performing at their peak.
Concerns began to surface regarding Fabien Galthie, and even Antoine Dupont faced scrutiny. However, with a seemingly endless pool of talent and exceptional players like Mathieu Jalibert, Dupont, and Charles Ollivon, they consistently find ways to secure results.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the most lethal finisher in world rugby, has now scored in every Six Nations match for the second consecutive year, concluding with four tries against England and nine overall in the tournament. Galthie has introduced several new players, yet it appears they are still in the process of determining their optimal lineup.
In the end, they achieved their goal, but this should have been a year for a Grand Slam. This is a remarkable generation, and when they synchronize, they are exhilarating to watch – Tom Hamilton.
Ireland: B+
After the initial loss to France, Ireland found themselves in a precarious situation. Andy Farrell questioned his players’ commitment and expressed concerns that the successful era of the past four years might be coming to an end. A hard-fought victory over Italy did little to alleviate the tension, and discussions regarding the fly-half position intensified, with calls for Jack Crowley to replace Sam Prendergast. Farrell made the decision to bring in Crowley, who seized his opportunity. The record win at Twickenham will be remembered as one of Ireland’s most cherished moments in recent history, showcasing their attacking prowess.
This campaign has been one of growth for the squad, with players stepping up and capitalizing on their chances.
The rise of Rob Baloucoune, who filled the gap in the outside backs, was significant, while Stuart McCloskey — nicknamed “the Irish fridge” — appeared comfortable on the big stage, creating several impactful moments and causing numerous problems for England. Farrell expressed immense pride after they secured the Triple Crown and is optimistic about building momentum for the remainder of the year and into 2027 – James Regan.
Scotland: B+
Another campaign that seemed to be in jeopardy early on, Gregor Townsend faced significant pressure, but his players rallied around him, inspired by the outstanding leadership of captain Sione Tuipulotu.
They delivered a strong performance against England and followed it up with a solid showing against a determined Wales team. The victory over France will be remembered in both Scottish rugby and Six Nations history as their attack flourished in Edinburgh. Townsend made bold selection choices, leaving out Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn, and Darcy Graham at different times, but these decisions paid off. When Finn Russell, Tuipulotu, and Huw Jones clicked, their backline displayed the fluidity everyone anticipated. The challenge for Scotland, as always, is to maintain this level of performance, especially with the upcoming World Cup in mind.
They have once again demonstrated their ability to defeat any opponent on their day. A title challenge must be the goal for 2027 – Regan.
Italy: B+
Italy has been a delight to watch this year. They made the most of challenging conditions in Rome during round one to surprise Scotland and fought valiantly in Dublin the following week. Gonzalo Quesada has a talented group of players at his disposal. Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus had previously warned about Italy’s potential, and The Azzurri largely validated his assessment. The center pairing of Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex has evolved into one of the most dynamic and exciting combinations in world rugby. Amidst all this, the tournament will be remembered for one significant achievement: their victory over England.
They led 32-0 against the heavyweights, and that night in Rome will have been worth the wait. While it seemed the players might have still been in celebratory mode against Wales (and who could blame them?), this has been an outstanding campaign for Italy. They have established themselves as a formidable force and have become somewhat of a kingmaker in the Six Nations – Regan.
England: E
Recency bias can be peculiar. Heading into the final match in Paris, England appeared to be on track for an F. Three consecutive defeats left them facing the prospect of their worst campaign ever. They lost, resulting in the shame of four defeats from five matches forever associated with the 2026 squad. However, there was a strange sense of pride in their performance and a glimpse of what they are striving to become and what is expected of them.
England delivered an impressive performance in France, but recurring disciplinary issues once again undermined their efforts. This looked like a team finally finding its rhythm, with game plan and execution aligning to create a brilliant display. Yet, one cannot overlook how this match fits into the broader context. The losses to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy were concerning for various reasons, but they all shared common themes of disciplinary problems and an inability to convert pressure into points.
The latter seemed to be addressed in Paris — England scored seven tries — but their persistent lack of discipline remains a significant concern. The scrum has been reliable, and the forwards excelled against France, but overall, this was a campaign where England showed promise but ultimately fell short – Hamilton.
Wales: C
Their display against England was troubling, leaving little for fans to hold onto in terms of hope. Then came the defeat to France, with the same persistent issues, in front of a disenchanted crowd that set a record low attendance in Wales.
However, against Scotland, Wales improved significantly, pushing them close — leading 20-5 at one point — only to suffer a heartbreaking loss.
Yet, they appeared much more organized, with Steve Tandy’s influence becoming more evident. In their match against Ireland, they took another step forward, highlighted by Alex Mann’s remarkable 32 tackles. Finally, against Italy, Wales ended a three-year drought and a 15-match winless streak with a commendable 31-17 victory over England’s conquerors from the previous week.
They are demonstrating greater intelligence at the breakdown, with players finally realizing their potential and the backs appearing more dangerous than in recent times. Aaron Wainwright was outstanding, Dewi Lake excelled as captain, and Rhys Carre was a formidable force.
Jac Morgan is also set to return. So, it may be said quietly, Wales might have turned a corner – Hamilton.
