It’s 25 yea
rs since Italy joined “the elite club” and turned it into the Six Nations Championship. The 2025 edition kicked off last weekend, when all six teams played.
Key players [Photo Montage by World Rugby]
France are no longer the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, but Ireland are getting better and better in their quest to be champions for the third year in a row, a feat never before achieved in the history of the Six Nations.
Image courtesy of The Grainstore Brewery
Friday - Italy v Wales in Rome
On Friday afternoon, Wales could only watch as Italy, the favourites, raced into a lead which Wales never looked like hauling back.
They gave away far too many penalties and had a man sent off.
That’s now 14 losses on the trot for the Welsh Dragons.
[Photo courtesy of Europa Press]
Saturday - England v France at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Favourites to win the match were bookies' choice France. Yet, they were sloppy and spurned so many chances to score tries that the half-time score was 7 – 7.
In the second half, debutant fly half Fin Smith (Harlequins) took control and had a great second half. It was "nip and tuck" with England aggressive and dominating the territory, yet France scored some great breakaway tries to keep in touch.
When full-back and goalkicker Marcus Smith missed two straightforward kicks at goal, his namesake Fin took over the goalkicking and displayed nerves of steel.
Daly try in the last minute [The Telegraph]
With barely time left on the clock it looked as though England were about to lose yet again in the final moments of a match, until substitute Eliot Daly used his pace to score near the posts. Time was up and England needed the conversion to win by one point.
Pressure? Fin Smith popped the kick over and the team could celebrate a famous win.
The young fly half, on his first start for England, deservedly won Player of the Match.
England captain Maro Itoje [Photo: The Guardian]
Sunday – Scotland v Ireland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Regarded as having a strong chance before the match, Scotland barely got a look-in. They were soundly beaten by an Ireland side back in top form.
Player of the Match was Sam Prendergast, Scotland’s new fly-half.
Final score 18 – 32. Ireland the new favourites to win the Championship.
Photo of Sam Prendergast by Six Nations Rugby
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.
[Image by Charlie Ps]
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, Charlie Ps, Europa Press, Getty Images, Irish Times, Six Nations Rugby, The Telegraph, World Rugby
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