2026 Six Nations analysis: What we learned from this year’s tournament

And breathe. After a whirlwind six weeks, the 2026 Six Nations has come and gone just like that.

‘Super Saturday’ was exactly that; three games rammed with excitement which certainly proved that this year’s tournament was one of the best ever. Unpredictable games and immense drama.

But, behind all the drama of this year we have learnt a great deal about each nation and have answered questions that remained unclear pre-tournament.

So what have we learned?

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Welsh dragon finally breathing fire

To a non, or casual, rugby fan; Wales finishing bottom of the table seems like a failure. But this tournament has been far from it.

Considering the state of domestic rugby in Wales, this has been a truly successful tournament.

Their victory against Italy was long overdue and proved the final piece of the jigsaw, showing Steve Tandy and his team have turned the squad back into a functional outfit.

Perhaps the biggest ‘victory’ they had this tournament was bringing the fans back on side. The Principality was back close to it’s roaring best last Saturday which was great to see.

Even without a victory in their opening four games, their performances against Scotland and Ireland were brilliant and could have resulted in big wins, but they seemingly needed that game against Italy to re-learn how to win.

But Wales are back. Not exactly like before, they won’t be dominating the northern hemisphere any time soon, but this is a proper rugby team again.

Red Rose is bleeding

England have had their worst Six Nations on record. That says enough in itself.

The fact of the matter is something needs to change. What that happens to be remains unclear.

England fans can perhaps find some solace in their tough loss against France.

Yes, they did just fall short but that performance had the one thing that has been seemingly missing for most of the tournament. The performance had heart.

There were still glaring issues such as weak tackling and a weak kicking game, but the players looked as though the wanted to win for the first time in a while.

Tactically, changes must happen immediately to get back to winning ways. But if the often emotionally removed Borthwick can fire up his players like he did in the France game, then there is hope.

Italian renaissance

Italy have displayed some of their best performances ever this tournament. In fact, one of the best compliments they can have is that, if anything, they have had some disappointing results.

None more than their loss in the final game to a Welsh side which hadn’t won since 2023.

The best thing Italy have shown the world in this tournament is that they are a complete team.

Past sides have shown flair and unique skillsets but have been missing key elements of their game. This year, everything from line defence to the set-piece has been brilliant.

Add on top a history making victory against England and they have just been superb.

Italy are flying into form at the perfect time, ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Scotland are still Scottish

It is the most stereotypical Scottish rugby thing to beat England, have one of their greatest victories against France, but still lose to Ireland.

Sione Tuipulotu has proved himself to be a true natural leader, as well as a brilliant rugby player.

It seemed for a bright moment that Tuipulotu and Gregor Townsend had stumbled upon the perfect leader partnership which would propel the Tartan Army to a Six Nations.

Ultimately, they will look back at week one, when their frankly horrific set-pieces could well have cost them the title – if Thomas Ramos hadn’t existed on Saturday.

Townsend has proved he is still the man for the job and perhaps next season, without the pressure on his back, Scotland will continue to be the attacking threat they’ve been throughout the tournament.

Ireland: Together standing strong

Ahead of the tournament, many were talking about Ireland finishing as low as fourth or fifth as they transitioned through their own mini rebuild.

But people should not have doubted Andy Farrell. There were plenty of concerns that his winning formula with Ireland was becoming too old, but he has seamlessly transitioned his tactics into the new generation.

The discussion of ‘who can replace Johnny Sexton?’ which has groaned on for years has been resolved.

We are in the era of Jack Crowley.

Crowley has been the missing piece in this Ireland team and, since being given the nod to start, Ireland have looked scarily strong and perhaps could have snuck something against France if he started.

Overall, scrums and general attacking play is back to it’s brilliant best and Ireland will surely be a threat during Autumn.

Wait, are France really all that?

Yes, it sounds silly considering France won the tournament while averaging over 30 points per game, but there are flaws there.

Don’t get me wrong, their attack is simply brilliant. When they are on it, they are the best in the world, with flair that is almost at the prime All-Blacks level.

But perhaps their attacking prowess has hidden the defensive and discipline issues that are creeping up.

Scotland had their biggest scoring game against Les Bleus and a troublesome England were only two points off their points tally against Wales.

But of course, France were still the best team in the tournament.

They wouldn’t have been victorious if they weren’t. But, as it stands, their World Cup dreams won’t become a reality if these tiny issues aren’t eradicated.

READ MORE: Heartbreak for England as Thomas Ramos snatches the Six Nations title for France