Six Nations

      Wales became accustomed to Six Nations success during Warren Gatland's first spell as coach from 2007 to 2019, winning four titles, including three Grand Slams. But Wales finished fifth last season after Gatland replaced fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac. And if Wales fail to beat Italy at the Principality Stadium, they will end the tournament at the foot of the table for the first time since 2003 […]

    Nolann Le Garrec put his hand up as a worthy successor for Antoine Dupont's number 9 shirt with an all-encompassing display in France's 45-24 victory over Wales in the Six Nations. Le Garrec, 21, rightly won the man-of-the-match award for his performance behind a dominant pack, linking perfectly with Thomas Ramos as the clock wound down and the French turned the screw on the home side at Cardiff's […]

    Scotland have an outside chance of claiming their first Six Nations title in a quarter of a century as they face improved Italy in Rome on Saturday. The Scots' last championship triumph came in 1999, the last year of the old Five Nations before Italy joined the tournament. They have not finished higher than third in the intervening 25 years but Gregor Townsend's team go into this weekend's […]

    Andy Farrell has insisted his native England remain capable of scuppering Ireland's bid for successive Grand Slams even though the visitors will be overwhelming favourites to win Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham. Ireland head coach Farrell's men have been the outstanding team of the tournament, with bonus-point wins over France, Italy and Wales suggesting their failure to get beyond the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup in […]

    England face an anxious wait on the fitness of Fin Smith ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash with title-chasing Ireland. Smith was the only member of Steve Borthwick's squad to miss training on Tuesday as he recovers from a calf injury. With only Thursday's main session left before the Twickenham showdown, time is running out to prove his fitness. Losing Fin Smith would be a blow for England […]

  The aftermath of France's dour start to the Six Nations, including a humbling to Ireland and a draw with Italy, has continued to overshadow the build-up to Sunday's trip to Wales. Head coach Fabien Galthie is being urged to hand new faces a chance with their title hopes all but over. When the 54-year-old took over in late 2019 he had spent years observing why Les Bleus had underperformed […]

    Fabien Galthie's position as France head coach is "absolutely not in danger", French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Florian Grill said on Monday after the side's Six Nations title hopes were dealt a massive blow with the drab draw against Italy. Les Bleus have won just once so far this tournament, a narrow win at Scotland, sandwiched between a humbling at home to Ireland and Sunday's 13-13 draw with […]