The first round of the Six Nations went as expected, with wins for France, Scotland and Ireland. But I thought the action was, on the whole, first class.
Here are five things I noticed on the opening weekend of the 2025 Championship…
Wales are in deep trouble…
France beating Wales in the first game was no surprise. But the scale of the scoreline and the fact the Welsh failed to notch a single point was confirmation to me that a proud rugby nation has hit the skids.
To not score at all in a Six Nations game is humiliating. Wales don’t have the physical ball carriers to get across the gainline and as a result, their attack is predictable.
They simply have to find a different way of playing and understand you can still win even if you know you cannot win the gainline battle. Their game with Italy on Saturday is absolutely enormous.
I hope I’m wrong – because I like Wales and Warren Gatland – but on the evidence of the game in Paris, I just can’t see them winning. Italy are firm favourites.
Wales were on the receiving end of a 43-0 defeat when they came up against France
To not score at all in a Six Nations game is humiliating for Warren Gatland’s Wales side
France will go up a gear for England…
Les Bleus didn’t even need to hit maximum effort to hammer Wales. But you can bet your bottom dollar they will be at full throttle for England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The last time France arrived in London, they put 50 points on England in one of the best Six Nations displays of recent memory. It’s going to be a huge game. Steve Borthwick’s side have their work cut out.
France are set to be without the suspended Romain Ntamack after he was sent off against Wales and how stupid must he be feeling this morning!
But as good a player as Ntamack is, France’s strength in depth will mean they shouldn’t be too adversely affected. Expect Thomas Ramos to start at No 10. Twickenham will be a great place to be Saturday.
Italy are a different beast now…
I know Italy lost in Scotland. But it’s now clear they are no longer Six Nations whipping boys. In the past, we’ve seen the Azzurri be hammered regularly. That doesn’t happen as often now.
When Italy quickly fell 14-0 down in Edinburgh on Saturday, they could have thrown in the towel. That’s what previous Azzurri sides would have done. Instead, Italy came back to 19-19 and at the hour, I thought there was an upset on.
Italy should be confident of beating Wales and their centre pairing of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello is excellent.
Steve Borthwick’s England side have their work cut out when they take on France
Italy lost against Scotland but it’s now clear they are no longer Six Nations whipping boys
Potential Scottish Lions…
This Six Nations is the main audition for players to put their hand up to be a part of Andy Farrell’s Lions squad for the summer tour of Australia. There are so many contenders.
But I thought Scotland’s backs really put their hands up for selection against Italy. Scotland’s players have been marginalised on recent Lions tours but I think 2025 will be different. Centre Huw Jones stood out with a hat-trick.
But I also liked wing Darcy Graham’s performance and for me, Blair Kinghorn at full-back is a shoe in selection.
He plays for Toulouse, the best club side on the planet. Finn Russell is a Lions certainty at fly-half. He was far from his best in round one but is still the standout fly-half in the tournament.
England must fight fire with fire…
England might have lost narrowly once again in Dublin. But I think the pace of their game was better than in the autumn.
And their defence was also an improvement on the last campaign. You can bet your bottom dollar France will go hell for leather at Borthwick’s side at Twickenham.
England can’t be cowed by that. They have to play with just as much pace as France, if not quicker, to succeed. I think a potential classic is in store.
