Six Nations title permutations: How can France, Scotland and Ireland win the championship?
It is the final weekend of the 2026 Six Nations, and three sides can still lift the trophy by the end of play on ‘Super Saturday’.
France, Scotland and Ireland can all realistically be crowned champions by the time the final whistle is blown, and there is hope that this day could become as memorable as the final day in 2015.
Les Bleus are clearly the favourites for the competition as they enter the final day on top of the table, but the famous competition always loves to throw a spanner in the works from time to time.
So, we are here to explain exactly how each nation can lift the 2026 Six Nations.
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France
The current holders of the competition are looking to win back-to-back Six Nations for the first time since 2007.
France enter this final day as favourites for the competition, as they are top of the table, and with a significant positive points difference, they know that with a bonus point win against England, they will be crowned champions, no matter what happens between Scotland and Ireland.
Les Bleus will also know that if Ireland were to beat Scotland in the opening game on Saturday, all they would have to do is beat England, and they would be crowned champions.
So, the ball is entirely in their court, and they will be determined not to let the title slip after they let the opportunity to earn a Grand Slam go awry after suffering defeat to Scotland last weekend.
France will be well aware of the challenge England could bring to Paris this weekend, as Steve Borthwick and his side are under extreme pressure following their run of three defeats.
England needs a performance, if not a result, to reignite hope within their fanbase that this team is moving in the right direction, and this could be a problem for France; however, the hosts will be confident they can inflict more misery on the English in Le Crunch this Saturday.
Scotland
Gregor Townsend’s side have given themselves a real chance of lifting the Six Nations for the first time ever; their last piece of significant silverware was in 1999 when they lifted the Five Nations.
Scotland can win the championship in several ways, but it is essential that they secure a Six Nations victory over Ireland, their first in Dublin since 2010.
Should Scotland beat Ireland with a bonus point, they can lift the title if France wins without scoring four tries against England.
A Scottish win without the bonus point means that they would need France to either draw or lose to England in Paris.
A draw against Ireland would require them to see Borthwick’s team beat Fabian Galthie’s side in the French capital for them to be crowned champions.
It is unlikely that Scotland will win with France in complete control, but as long as they do what they can control, they will believe they can make history this Saturday by securing their first Triple Crown since 1990 and their first-ever Six Nations title.
Ireland
Andy Farrell’s side are huge outsiders for the championship, as they are two points behind France in the table, with their main ambition being securing the Triple Crown, with the title being more hopeful than anything.
Ireland know they must beat Scotland to give themselves any chance of lifting the title, and if they manage this without a bonus point, then they would require England to beat France.
However, if they were to beat Scotland with a bonus point, then they would require England to just get a draw with France but avoid allowing Les Bleus to score four tries in the process.
Ireland and their fans will just be hoping for England to secure a win to make things simple should they beat Scotland to allow them to pip the title from the French and regain the trophy after relinquishing it to France last year.
It is set to be an interesting final day, particularly with both the Irish and Scottish fans needing to support their bitter enemy England if they have any hopes of winning the Six Nations.
Topics: Rugby, Rugby Union
Brendan McGilligan