Six Nations 2025: Team Grades, Key Performances, and Future Prospects

England

Grade: A- England's journey in the Six Nations 2025 was a tale of resilience and strategic brilliance. After a narrow loss to Ireland in Round 1, Steve Borthwick's bold selections and innovative tactics paid off. England secured crucial victories against France, Scotland, Italy, and a dominant 68-14 win over Wales. Fin Smith emerged as a standout player, while Will Stuart showed significant improvement. This tournament marked a forward leap for England, setting a strong foundation for future competitions.

Ireland

Grade: B+ Ireland started strong with impressive wins against England, Scotland, and Wales. However, a reality check came with a loss to France in Round 4 and a sloppy performance against Italy. Despite finishing third, Ireland bid farewell to legendary players like Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy, and Conor Murray. The emergence of new talents like Sam Prendergast offers hope for a transitional period. The memories of the final rounds will linger, highlighting the brutal nature of the sport.

Scotland

Grade: C+ Scotland's campaign was marred by injuries and inconsistency. Despite having a roster of star players, they failed to close out crucial matches against England and Ireland. The loss of Sione Tuipulotu was significant, and the team's inconsistency remains a limiting factor. Questions arise about the future of this so-called golden generation and their ability to claim silverware.

France

Grade: A France's performance was nothing short of spectacular, with only a hiccup against England preventing a Grand Slam. Antoine Dupont's absence due to an ACL injury was a blow, but the team rallied with Maxime Lucu and Romain Ntamack stepping up. Louis Bielle-Biarrey provided memorable moments, and France's title win was well-deserved. This team is exciting and promises more in the years to come.

Wales

Grade: E Wales are in dire need of a reset. With 17 Tests without a win, the team's depth and competition for places remain significant issues. Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake were bright spots, but the record defeat to England highlighted the challenges ahead. The appointment of a new director of rugby and head coach is crucial for Wales' future.

Italy

Grade: F Italy's 25th anniversary in the Six Nations was underwhelming. Despite pre-tournament hype, they failed to deliver, securing only a win against a struggling Wales side. The team showed glimpses of brilliance but couldn't sustain it for a full 80 minutes. Tough questions will be asked of their key players as they look to learn and improve.