2026 Six Nations analysis: Who takes the crown in this Saturday’s finale?

Three games, three teams in contention, but only one winner of the Six Nations. That is the prospect of this year’s ‘Super Saturday’, where France, Ireland or Scotland can claim the title.

In a title race that looked like a procession for France just a week ago, one of the finest Scottish performances in recent memory means three teams will head into March 14 still in contention.

France remain the favourites, though that is largely because they face an England side enduring a difficult tournament.

Scotland and Ireland, on the other hand, will duel it out in the afternoon to take both the temporary championship lead, but also the triple crown.

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Some good old-fashioned Irish luck could be needed

Week one, Ireland was a completely different team from the side we see before us now.

Dysfunctional from the boot, unorganised and incomplete, was week one. Even in the games against Italy and Wales did their scrum still not seem entirely up to scratch.

But after some tweaks and some injury reprises, Andy Farrell managed to put his stamp back on the team.

Despite his faith in Sam Prendergast, Farrell finally removed the struggling youngster from the fly-half position and Jack Crowley’s impact was felt immediately.

This culminated in their record-breaking round three victory against England in Twickenham. On that day, Ireland were electric; particularly Jamison Gibson-Park, who ripped his opponent apart.

The Irish attack has come on leaps and bounds throughout the tournament, with Robert Balocoune another player in emerald green having an awesome tournament.

Ireland would have perhaps been treated as the underdogs heading into the pivotal Scotland game, given how well the Scots have been playing, but the venue could be vital.

Scotland have not beaten Ireland since 2017 and have never won at the Aviva Stadium.

You have to look all the way back to 2010 for when Ireland last lost to them at home, when Croke Park was still home, so Dublin will be confident.

The flower of Scotland is in full bloom

Tartan-wearing fans know their poor record against Ireland, but if this year’s Six Nations has proved anything, it is that you can not rely on history.

If Italy could do the so-called ‘impossible’ and beat England for the first time, then Scotland can certainly take on Ireland.

This is certainly their best chance in years to do so as well. Apart from the opening round against the Azzurri, Scotland have been superb.

Finn Russell has developed into arguably the best fly-half on the planet now.

He has always had the bonkers factor, showing off his audacious skills, but this too often came with the caveat of a risk going wrong.

Now he’s restricted the mistakes while keeping his genius and this could be the big deciding factor.

The Scottish are good, arguably the best they’ve been under Gregor Townsend. This seems like the final test for their head coach to prove he is indeed the right man.

Regardless of whether they claim their first-ever Six Nations title come Saturday night, a big win against Ireland and a triple crown will certainly be enough for Scottish fans to celebrate.

Set pieces are perhaps the only big worry for them. Terrible against Italy and still subpar in their other three games, it may be where they fall, but they certainly know how to score in other ways.

France can’t bottle it, surely?

France seemed as though they were cruising their way to a record-breaking eighth championship, right up until they weren’t.

In a game which could have secured them the title, they somehow blew the tournament wide open.

One thing the French don’t have to worry about is their scoring ability. To score 40 in a losing effort is some feat and will certainly be reaching not too dissimilar numbers against England.

Speaking of Steve Borthwick’s men, they are easily the worst opponents any nation could face at the moment, so France will be expecting, not hoping, for a win.

Unlike their two rivals for the title, France doesn’t have any glaring issues in their game.

Yes, when things weren’t going their way against Scotland they seemed to panic a bit, but they were still able to score try after try.

Anything can happen

As long as the French discipline doesn’t waver like in their last game, they can cruise to another Six Nations title.

And what a place it would be to do it, in front of a rowdy home crowd on the final day in the final game.

All the teams remaining deserve the end result, but it is certainly the French with the best odds.

This has simply been one of the best teams the championship has seen over the last couple of years, and right now, all roads lead to Paris and captain Antoine Dupont lifting the trophy.

But of course, this is the Six Nations; anything can and will happen.

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