France will attempt to defend their Six Nations title in what will be interesting viewing for Springbok fans, Jon Cardinelli.

The balance of power in the northern hemisphere has shifted from Ireland to France in recent years, at club and international level.

The French clubs have dominated the all-important European Champions Cup since 2021, with Toulouse and La Rochelle claiming two trophies apiece, and Bordeaux-Bégles winning their first title last season.

During the same period, France have won two Six Nations titles, with their most recent success coming in last year.

At a glance, Les Bleus are best placed to win the 2026 title, and strengthen their grip on rugby in the north.

FRANCE

Ireland were widely tipped to win the 2025 tournament – and complete a rare hat-trick of titles – due to their favourable draw.

In the end, they lost 42–27 to France in a key clash staged in Dublin, and surrendered the trophy to Fabien Galthie’s charges.

France will enjoy an easier schedule this season, with three of their five fixtures staged at home.

If they manage to beat Ireland in the opening game of the tournament on 5 February, they will take some momentum into the next round in Cardiff, where they will expect to bank a bonus-point win against a struggling Wales side.

Having thrashed Italy 73-24 in Rome last season, France should target a full house of log points in the next match against the Azzurri in Paris.

The visit to Murrayfield in round four could be a potential banana peel, but if Les Bleus maintain their focus, they will head into the final game against England at the Stade de France with a chance of clinching the championship, as well as the Grand Slam.

While much is made of the Springboks’ strength in depth, and how Rassie Erasmus has added new players in recent seasons, Galthie has even more resources at his disposal.

What’s more, the talismanic Antoine Dupont, who missed the most of the 2025 Test season after injuring his knee in the big win against Ireland last March, should be back to lead the charge.

IRELAND

Irish rugby is at a crossroads after mixed performances by the top clubs as well as the national side in recent months.

Leinster thumped the Bulls this past June to win the United Rugby Championship, but it has been eight long years since the Irish giants claimed the Champions Cup crown.

Meanwhile, Ireland have relinquished their hold on the title, and it is feared that many of their older players are past their best, and that a younger flyhalf in Sam Prendergast (22) is not ready to start the big matches.

Coach Andy Farrell led the British & Irish Lions to a series win in Australia last year, but will turn his attention back to the Ireland national side in 2026, and in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.

Ireland could not have asked for a tougher start to the Six Nations campaign, but if they come through the match in Paris with a victory, they may be encouraged by the fact that three of their next four matches will be staged in Dublin.

That said, the round-three match against a much-improved England will provide yet another test.

Farrell’s charges beat England 27-22 in Dublin last season, but this year’s clash will be played in London.

The last two matches against Wales and Scotland – both in Dublin – may provide Ireland with a chance to make up some ground in terms of bonus points and points-difference, but if they do not win at least one of their matches against France and England, they are unlikely to challenge for the title.

ENGLAND

Last season, Steve Borthwick’s side turned a corner when they edged France 26–25 at Twickenham in the second round – with Elliot Daly scoring a thrilling last-gasp try.

The following week, they hung on for a 16–15 result against Scotland to claim their first victory in five years against their rivals from the north. Ultimately, England finished the campaign with four wins and 20 points – and ended the tournament in second place.

While they should take nothing for granted in 2026, they will enjoy a slightly easier start to the tournament, facing a battling Wales at home before heading to Edinburgh to tackle a mercurial Scotland.

England should be favourites against Ireland in London the following week, and will target a bonus-point win against Italy in Rome thereafter.

The title race may well be decided on Super Saturday, which will culminate with France hosting Borthwick’s team in Paris.

SCOTLAND

Much has been made about Scotland’s golden generation of players, and the success they have enjoyed at club level and in one-off Tests for their country.

And yet, it has been 26 years
since Scotland won the Six Nations
– or the Five Nations, as it was then
known.

Their dominance against England came to an end last season, and over the course of an underwhelming campaign, they only managed to beat Italy and Wales.

The first fixture against Italy in Rome will reveal where this team stands and how they are shaping up ahead of the second round clash against England in Edinburgh.

If the Scots manage to generate some momentum across those matches and in the next clash in Cardiff, they could catch France off guard in the fourth round.

In that unlikely scenario, Scotland would go into the final round clash against Ireland in Dublin with a shot at history.

But as recent campaigns have indicated, consistency is not their strong point.

ITALY

Italy claimed a much-needed 22–15 win against Wales at home last season, but went on to lose heavily to France and England.

While coach Gonzalo Quesada has attempted to build the team’s depth in the ensuing months, it remains to be seen whether the Azzurri will trouble the leading teams in 2026, or challenge the status quo by beating Scotland.

If they do force an upset against the Scots in the first round, they may go on to win a second fixture against Wales later in the tournament.

Much will depend, of course, on how many of their star players are still standing by the time the squad travels to Cardiff in round five.

WALES

Welsh rugby is in disarray, with the clubs struggling to compete in the United Rugby Championship and administrators moving to reduce the number of teams from four to three by 2028.

The national side has endured a number of heavy beatings over the past two seasons, and a narrow win over Japan in Kobe in July brought an end to an 18-game losing streak.

While the respected coach Steve Tandy took the reins in the wake of that series in Japan, expectations remain tempered.

At the very least, Wales should target the clash against Italy in Cardiff as a must-win, and possibly another home victory against Scotland.

The latter would come as a surprise, and it is more than likely that the Dragons will finish yet another campaign with the dreaded wooden spoon.