We’re on the eve of the 26th edition of the Six Nations, European rugby’s premier event. This will be the 131st time the competition has been played since beginning as the Home Nations Championship, and the rivalries are as intense as ever.
The 2025 Six Nations Champions runs from Friday, January 31st, through Saturday, March 15th. The opening weekend features a massive game: Ireland hosts England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The result of that match will go a long way toward determining the 2025 destination of one of the oldest championships in world sport.
2024 Six Nations Recap
Ireland entered the 2024 Six Nations as the defending champions, winning their fourth Grand Slam in 2023. Andy Farrell’s men defended their crown but could not secure a second successive Grand Slam.
Ireland opened the tournament with a huge win away in France. They beat the team most saw as their closest rival 38-17 at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille. Round 4 would be their one slip-up of the tournament, as they lost 23-22 to England at Twickenham in an instant classic.
That win propelled England to third in the final standings behind Ireland and France. Wales were handed the wooden spoon with five defeats out of five matches. Surprise package Italy was impressed with two wins and a draw with France. That match saw Italy hit the post with a late penalty that would have won them the game.
2025 Six Nations Preview
2025 Six Nations Odds To Win (BetXchange)
Ireland could make history if it wins a third straight Six Nations title in 2025. Although England, France, Wales, and Ireland have all won two championships in a row since the current format was established in 2000, no country has managed three successive titles.
If Ireland can complete the threepeat, they will do so in unique circumstances. Head coach Farrell is on sabbatical ahead of British Lions duties in Australia later this year. That means that caretaker coach Sion Easterby is in charge of steering the ship.
It is also a ship that has shown some unusual failures lately. Ireland was not impressive in the autumn, losing convincingly to a resurgent All Blacks team and sneaking past Argentina and Australia. Questions surrounding player burnout in their smaller player pool are real, but can the Irish rise up here with history on the line?
France gets Antoine Dupont back after his Olympics sevens sojourn last year. Arguably the best player in the world, Dupont led France to its third straight win over New Zealand in November. The question with France will be their consistency, because player for player, they should have more than enough to win the title.
Italy is still improving as a rugby nation. Their age group squads have been tearing it up over the last few cycles, so players entering the senior team have a history of winning. Scotland will be a feisty, rugged out for everyone, but their squad is thin, while Wales is as bad as Wales has ever been.
That just leaves England. The third favorites have been improving under Steve Borthwick, and Marcus Smith is now firmly entrenched as their starting 10. The Curry twins locking down starting spots in the English back row is an incredible story. With plenty coming off the bench, this squad can win it all with the right breaks.
2025 Six Nations Best Bets
Ireland and France are difficult to split here. England is the best value at 71/20, even though their first tournament game is in Dublin.
