6 Nations Closing With Title Shootout Between France, Scotland And Ireland

The 6 nations heads into its final round as France, Scotland and Ireland all remain capable of winning the championship after a weekend that reshaped the table.

Table, form and routes to the title

France sits in pole position, leading Scotland only on points difference, while Ireland are two points behind. France will close the championship at the Stade de France against England, knowing what will be required four hours after Ireland host Scotland in Dublin. Scotland blew open the title race by destroying France 50-40 in Edinburgh last weekend; that result has left a narrow, high-stakes finish where a win, a loss or bonus points could decide the outcome.

6 Nations Title Scenarios And Stakes

Scotland’s simplest route is beating Ireland and hoping France lose to England, but long-term trends complicate that task: Scotland have not beaten Ireland since 2017 and have not won in Dublin since 2010. Ireland’s clearest path is to beat Scotland and also hope England beat France. Draws or bonus points will add further permutations; the championship goes into the last round with the first three-way title shootout since 2020, when England won on points difference after other scoring requirements were not met.

Historical context, momentum and other matches

Scotland chase more than the championship. A win in Dublin would end 11 straight defeats against Ireland, deliver a fourth win in the championship for the first time and secure a first Triple Crown since 1990 — only their third since 1938. Ireland have collected the Triple Crown recently in 2022, 2023 and 2025 and arrive as a familiar barrier for Scotland. The final round also features Wales hosting Italy in Cardiff; Wales aim to end a 15-match losing run in the tournament while Italy target three wins in a single championship for the first time.

For Scotland, the run to this point has been dramatic: after a chastening defeat in Rome and early criticism, they recovered with wins over England and Wales before their high-scoring win over France. Key figures such as Finn Russell and Sione Tuipulotu have been highlighted for forming a world-class midfield axis, and Gregor Townsend, in his ninth Six Nations, has guided them to their most significant championship game since the team that won the title in 1999. France remain favourites for back-to-back titles for the first time since 2006-07, leaving a tense final day where results across two stadiums will determine who lifts the trophy.