It’s 25 years since Italy joined “the elite club” and turned it into the Six Nations Championship. The 2025 edition kicked off last night with France thrashing Wales 43 – 0 in Paris.
Key players [Photo Montage by the BBC]
So, France remain the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, but Ireland are keen to win it for the third year in a row, and they play an improving England this evening.
Scotland v Italy at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
On Saturday afternoon, Scotland survived a scare, as they watched Italy pull back from 29 – 6 to 29 apiece early in the second half.
Then, Scotland scored two more tries to run out winners 41 – 29.
Huw Jones scored a hat-trick and deservedly won Man of the Match.
Huw Jones scores his hat-trick try [BBC]
Ireland v England at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Favourites to win the match are Ireland, yet 12 months ago England beat the men in green at Twickenham to prevent an Ireland Grand Slam, although they still won the Championship.
England are fast out of the blocks and looking full of intent. They score a try through new boy Caden Murley. Soon after, following a period of Irish pressure, they "score", but following an intervention by the TMO it is chalked off. One of the new tweaks to the laws has "saved England's bacon".
The game is fast and exciting, but there are a lot of handling errors by Ireland and defensive penalties conceded by England. Fly half Marcus Smith is shown a yellow card and goes to the bin for ten minutes.
Caden Murley scores the first try [Getty Images]
England are under pressure for the whole of this period and concede a try towards the end of it. Sam Prendergast missed the conversion.
England get a penalty in front if the posts.
Half-time 5 - 10 in England's favour. England on top.
What happened in the break?
In the second half, England didn't turn up. With 10 minutes to go Ireland were winning the half 22 - 0.
With 3 minutes to go, Tom Curry touched down for England after a good move. Then, in the final minute winger Tommy Freeman finished off a break by Theo Dan to win a losing bonus point and make the score respectable at 27 - 22
I am very disappointed. I think the match was there for the taking by England. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Dan Sheehan scores a try for Ireland [The Irish Times]
Remaining Six Nations fixtures and kick-off times
Matches are subject to late changes, so details may differ from this page. All times are GMT. Kick-off times in brackets.
Sunday, 2 February
Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00
[Image by Wikipedia]
Saturday, 8 February
Italy v Wales (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
England v France (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live
Sunday, 9 February
Scotland v Ireland (15:00) - BBC One from 14:20-17:10 & BBC Radio 5 Live
Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00
Saturday, 22 February
Wales v Ireland (14:15) - BBC One from 13:15-16:30 & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app
England v Scotland (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live
Sunday, 23 February
Italy v France (15:00) - ITV & updates on BBC Radio 5 Live
Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00
Saturday, 8 March
Ireland v France (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Scotland v Wales (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 & BBC Radio 5 Live or Sports Extra TBC
Sunday, 9 March
England v Italy - ITV & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app
Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:30-19:30
Saturday, 15 March
Italy v Ireland (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Wales v England (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 - BBC Radio 5 Live
France v Scotland (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live
Sunday, 16 March
Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00
© Sporty Sam
Photos:
BBC, Getty Images, Irish Times
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