Six Nations news: What we learned about every team from round one

The first round of the Men’s Six Nations has been completed, with France, Italy and England picking up victories.

But beneath the tries, tribulations and indeed the torrential rain, the opening weekend offered plenty of clues about where each team stands.

Here, The Rugby Paper writer Will Judd evaluates what we learned about all six nations after round one.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

France

Les Bleus couldn’t have asked for a better start than a 36-14 victory against the 2023 Grand Slam winners, Ireland.

The biggest question ahead of the game was whether Fabien Galthié’s squad changes would work. The answer was a resounding yes.

Théo Attissogbe was brilliant on the wing and, along with the ever-brilliant Louis Bielle-Biarrey, was fantastic under the high ball.

The French kick chase was ever brilliant and the added use of Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortère as centres provided a steady defence in the absence of Gaël Fickou.

Discipline was also top-notch for France on Thursday, something France defence coach Shaun Edwards was chuffed with at full-time.

It may be a slightly new-look squad, but no rebuild phase seems necessary for France, who look confident in retaining their crown.

Ireland

Ireland were left licking their wounds on Thursday night after being overrun by France.

They were dismantled everywhere. Their usual control-based approach was nowhere to be seen as they struggled to get a single foot in the game for 60 minutes.

Sam Prendergast was simply swamped all game and clearly found it tough at fly-half.

Another one of Andy Farrell’s gambles, leaving out James Lowe, came back to bite him. The Irish kicking chase throughout was poor and they certainly lacked the physicality needed to compete.

Ireland did eventually get back into the game with back-to-back tries around the hour mark, but at that point the mountain was too high.

James Ryan, who was dropped to the bench, made a notable impact when he came on.

Ultimately, Ireland are in a worrying place and will have no let-up this weekend as they play a strong Italy side.

Italy

The torrential rain in Rome was truly a sight to behold, but so was the Italian performance.

Louis Lynagh was fantastic off the wing, constantly a threat under a high ball, but the most impressive aspect of Italy was set pieces.

I’m not sure the last time anyone saw an Italian side dominate at the scrum, but man of the match Simone Ferrari was the figurehead behind just how brilliant the Azzurri’s scrum was.

Italy were the complete package. Gone were the mistakes and set-piece pitfalls which have troubled Italian sides in the past.

They were utterly in control for the entire match. Even when Scotland would get close, their line defence, particularly from Andrea Zambonin, was superb.

This Italian side is ‘potential’ no more; they are a true threat.

Scotland

Saturday would have been one of the most frustrating afternoons Scotland fans have experienced.

Out-muscled, out-classed and out-rugby’d by Italy; Gregor Townsend has some big thinking to do.

By far the weakest area was the lineout, which malfunctioned the entire game, with Ewan Ashman having a torrid time at hooker.

He had a poor day, as did the remainder of the Scottish forwards, who were out-muscled at scrum time by the Italians.

Indeed, bar the energy brought on by scrum half George Horne, Townsend’s replacements did little to save the game.

Of course, the rain did not help a Scottish side who love to play fast attack-based rugby, but it had been raining for both sides and the Italians adapted far quicker.

The team touted by many to be a dark horse this year, have seemingly missed the ‘this year will be our year’ memo yet again. They need the basics first and foremost.  

England

England cruised past Wales at Twickenham on Saturday in what was very much an expected battering.

But Steve Borthwick’s men still didn’t get out of fourth gear, as they slowed in the second half.

The fundamentals were spot on; scrums, lineouts and the kicking game was perfect. Freddie Steward was great at full-back, and Tom Roebuck did well as the stand-in winger.

Henry Arundell, on the other wing, was fantastic in attack. His three tries all came in different fashion, but each was expertly taken.

However, Arundell had often been kept out of the England squad due to his defensive struggles, and they showed again in parts.

There were a few too many missed tackles, which didn’t prove too much of a problem against Wales, but if it does come down to a Paris showdown on ‘Super Saturday’, the French backs will tear any weakness apart.

Overall, England have started positively, but only in round two will we see just how strong they are.

Wales

On the face of things, Steve Tandy’s side looks very rough. Conceding nearly 50 points in the opening weekend is a worry, but there is some light.

The Louis Rees-Zammit full-back experiment went well, positionally he was brilliant and his kicking was strong too, while making plenty of meters with ball in hand.

Discipline, though, was a huge issue, with Nicky Smith and captain Dewi Lake both in the bin within 20 minutes.

These issues need to be addressed immediately by Tandy if they want to survive another potential cricket score against France this weekend.

There were positives, however, as the second half was far better defensively and the Josh Adams try was well executed.

Welsh fans shouldn’t be too disheartened with the loss, despite the bitter rivalry, as the blueprints are there to rebuild.

A few tweaks here and there, and Wales could perhaps scrape a result this tournament.

READ MORE: Jamie George: Calcutta Cup is next goal for England after Six Nations win over Wales