Deep Dive into the 2025 Six Nations Rugby Championship: Team Analyses

Ireland: The Unbeaten Force

Entering the 2025 Six Nations, there was a lingering doubt about Ireland’s strength. However, they swiftly dispelled these concerns, emerging as the only untainted team after two rounds. This resurgence reflects both Simon Easterby’s adept coaching and the well-established player structures at Ireland.

Despite facing their own share of injuries and losing head coach Andy Farrell to the British & Irish Lions secondment, Ireland thrived under Easterby’s guidance. Easterby’s strategic decisions, such as backing Sam Prendergast post-England’s tough match, were rewarded as Prendergast showcased his prowess against Scotland, delivering a man of the match performance.

Key players like Jack Conan add significant depth to their squad, capable of contributing seamlessly from the bench and maintaining high intensity. Ireland lost influential players like Johnny Sexton and Farrell in recent years but remain the frontrunners in their pursuit of an unprecedented third successive title. Grade: A

France: Struggling with Consistency

France’s performance has been a rollercoaster this season. Despite boasting powerful scorers like Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, they faltered in critical matches, such as their thrilling loss to England at Twickenham. The team’s inconsistency is a concern, and they face important fixtures against Italy and Ireland.

While Matthieu Jalibert deserves credit, the absence of Romain Ntamack, suspended for a reckless tackle, highlighted France’s reliance on key individuals. Ntamack’s game management might have enabled them to secure a win against England. They need Ntamack’s return to control the match and bolster their forward strength, with Emmanuel Meafou showing exceptional skills in recent games.

The question remains whether France can synchronize their play and secure vital bonus points to challenge Ireland. Their size and forward presence are their strongest assets, but they must avoid repeating their mistakes against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. Grade: C+

England: Rebounding with Hope

England’s victory against France brought a much-needed boost after a tumultuous start to the championship. This reversal also provided a much-deserved reprieve for Steve Borthwick and his squad, lifting the burden of expectations and impending pressure.

Although not flawless, England demonstrated improvements in key areas. They excelled in territory battles, particularly in the second half of their match against France, similar to Ireland’s strategy against England. Ollie Lawrence emerged as a pivotal player, enhancing the team’s connection in attack.

Substitutions proved crucial, with Jamie George and Ollie Chessum making substantial impacts. Importantly, Borthwick showed a cautious yet strategic approach to replacements, ensuring the right players were on the pitch. Alex Mitchell also made a strong impression in scrum-half, ending the game with a full 80 minutes, showing resilience and skill.

England’s performances, especially against France, signal potential growth and optimism. With continued development, they have a strong chance to challenge for a title. Grade: C-

Scotland: Facing Expectations

Scotland’s recent outings against Italy and Ireland highlight a mixed performance that leaves much to be desired. Despite their capability and potential, Scotland has struggled to meet expectations this season. Their Six Nations form over the past five years—an average win ratio of 52% and no higher than third place—highlights a consistent underperformance.

Injuries to key players, such as Sione Tuipulotu, compound their struggles. Scotland’s squad is one of the smallest, leaving less depth in crucial positions. However, their talent-laden roster offers opportunities for improvement. Their strong performances against Australia and South Africa in recent years indicate that they possess the ability to excel with better tactical coherence.

To elevate their standing, Scotland must develop a more consistent and dominant approach. Winning big moments doesn’t suffice; they need to translate these flashes into sustained success throughout the Six Nations. Grade: D-

Italy: Resilience and Discipline

Italy’s stunning 27-22 victory over Wales showcased their resilience and tactical acumen. Playing in poor conditions, Italy remained disciplined, demonstrating strong work-rate and physicality. Their captain, Michele Lamaro, praised their ability to remain focused despite the challenges. Paolo Garbisi’s control and Gonzalo Quesada’s game management played crucial roles in this victory.

Despite their small squad size, Italy has achieved notable success recently, losing only once in their last five Six Nations matches. Quesada’s pragmatism has blended well with Italy’s