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'Brings edge': Jeff Wilson's pick for a new All Blacks captain
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Six Nations permutations: What Scotland, France and Ireland need to win
By Ian Cameron
What a weekend. The 2026 Guinness Six Nations heads into Super Saturday with three teams still capable of lifting the trophy after Scotland’s extraordinary 50-40 win over France blew the championship race wide open.
Fabien Galthie’s side arrived at Murrayfield knowing a victory would have wrapped up the title with a game to spare and kept alive their Grand Slam hopes. Instead, they were blown away by a seven-try Scottish display that has turned the final round into a straight three-way shootout between France, Scotland and Ireland.
Les Bleus still hold the advantage going into the final weekend. Despite the defeat in Edinburgh, four late tries secured a bonus point that keeps them top of the table with a sizeable points difference cushion.
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In simple terms, France can almost certainly seal the championship with a bonus-point win over England in Paris. Even without the bonus point, victory may still be enough depending on earlier results.
Crucially, playing last on Super Saturday means Galthie’s side will know exactly what is required before kicking off at the Stade de France.
Six Nations
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
France
4
3
1
0
16
2
Scotland
4
3
1
0
16
3
Ireland
4
3
1
0
14
4
Italy
4
2
2
0
9
5
England
4
1
3
0
6
6
Wales
4
0
4
0
1
Scotland’s path is narrower but still very much alive. Gregor Townsend’s side face Ireland in the opening match of the day in Dublin and must win to keep their hopes intact.
If they do that and England then beat France in Paris, Scotland would complete one of the most unlikely Six Nations title wins in the championship’s modern era.
Ireland – who sit in third – remain firmly in the mix after their 27-17 bonus-point victory over Wales kept alive hopes of a third title in four years, but realistically their lack of a bonus points has hurt their bid for the title.
Andy Farrell’s side must beat Scotland at the Aviva Stadium and then hope England do them a favour later in the evening in Paris.
On paper, the permutations favour France, particularly with a battered England arriving in Paris under heavy pressure after their historic defeat to Italy in Rome.
Baring a miracle, Steve Tandy’s Wales will still get the Wooden Spoon, even in victory over Italy, as their points difference gap with fourth placed England is near insurmountable. They would need to beat Italy by a landslide and hope France beat England by a landslide to have hope of avoiding the incorporeal trophy.
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