2025 Six Nations - Strong start gives Ireland favourites tag for three-peat

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 10 Feb 2025

Ralph Staniforth 10 Feb 2025

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Ireland leads Six Nations after securing important victories.
England's dramatic win against France jolts standings.
Upcoming matches, including Ireland vs. France, crucial.

Expired

Ireland favourites for three-peat (Getty Images)

France were the favourites to claim the Six Nations crown going into the 2025 championship, however, after two rounds, Ireland have taken over after two rounds.

A pulsating opening weekend saw France lay down a market by thrashing Wales 43-0 at home. The following day, Italy gave Scotland a scare at Murrayfield, but the hosts still managed to come away with a bonus point win.

In the big clash of the weekend, England put in a huge first half performance in Dublin against Ireland but couldn't maintain that physicality for the full 80 minutes. Ireland won the game 27-22.

All the games went the way of the favourites on the day, so little changed with the bookmakers. However, if round one went according to script, round two was bound to throw up a surprise.

It all began on Saturday with Italy far too good for Wales in the wet in Rome. Wales losing streak stretched to 14 matches, an unprecedented losing streak for the once proud rugby nation.

The big clash took place at Twickenham, an improving English side at home against a very good and in-form French outfit. It was an exciting, if error strewn fixture, but the full house at Twickenham wouldn't care if their team could just manage to get over the line in a tight game...for a change.

The last quarter provided a hugely dramatic conclusion with neither side taking a step back. Once one scored, the other hit back almost immediately. It was however, a very late England try and subsequent conversion that sealed the one-point victory.

That result changed matters, but Ireland still had the more than tricky encounter against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday. It was another much-anticipated encounter with many feeling that Scotland could end their 10-match losing streak against the Irish.

Unfortunately for the Scots, it wasn't mean to be as Ireland had the better of the physical exchanges for most of the game and the hosts could never really get close enough to threaten.

That victory put Ireland in prime position for a three-peat. They have faced two tough opponents already, taking bonus point victories in both. France's one bonus point against England puts them in second place on points difference on six points.

Upcoming Fixtures

The Six Nations takes a break this weekend before returning for games on 22 and 23 February. Ireland will be expected to get over the line against Wales in Cardiff before England and Scotland meet at Twickenham. It is worth noting that the Scots have dominated this fixture over the last three seasons.

The weekend concludes with France traveling to Rome to face Italy. That is far from a walk-over for Les Bleus who only managed a draw at home against Italy last season.

Should Ireland and France win it sets up a mouth-watering clash in Dublin on 8 March when France play Ireland. The winner between England and Scotland will also still be in the running while the loser will only have pride left to play for.

This Six Nations campaign could still go one of four ways, but it is hard to look beyond Ireland and France. Of course, the French simply can't slip up against Italy, must then beat Ireland away before ending with a win at home against Scotland.

Ireland, quite simply, probably just need to beat France at home to secure the title while Scotland and England have to keep winning and hope the chips fall in their favour.