Six Nations 2025 news: What we have learnt about each team after two rounds
With two games played and the first break of the 2025 Six Nations upon us, plenty has already changed since the tournament began.
Teams that were written off have defied expectations, while a top contender has already stumbled against an unexpected opponent.
There’s still everything to play for, but here’s one key takeaway from each team so far, brought to you by Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Elliott.
No Farrell? No problem
Before the Six Nations kicked off, many wondered how Ireland would fare without head coach Andy Farrell, who has taken a hiatus to focus on the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Plenty were not familiar with the name Simon Easterby, the interim who stepped in to replace Farrell.
After two games, it seems as if those proposed issues weren’t necessary, with Easterby’s side playing exactly like that of the main boss.
The results have been impressive, with a hard-fought win against England followed up by a convincing away win against Scotland.
With two of the three ‘challenging’ teams out of the way, a home game against France is the only proper test left for Ireland.
Win that, and they’ll be in pole position for the Grand Slam.
Even if they slip up against France, results elsewhere have worked in their favour - meaning a title win remains likely, should they beat Wales and Italy as expected.
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New dawn for Wales
There’s no way to sugarcoat it - Wales’ Six Nations campaign has been disastrous so far.
Back-to-back defeats to France and Italy, with barely a fight put up, made change inevitable.
Warren Gatland leaving means that there is now some hope amongst fans that new head coach Matt Sherratt can bring a bounce and instil some pride back into the team.
Talks of Max Llewellyn and Gareth Anscombe rejoining the team has lifted spirits, with many baffled by their initial exclusions.
Wales may be far from a return to success, but for the first time in a while, there’s a sense of optimism.
England turn a corner
Under Steve Borthwick, England had made a habit of losing tight games at the death. But this time, a close contest finally went their way.
The defeat to Ireland showed promise but followed a familiar pattern - strong performance, disappointing result.
Against France, however, England delivered on both fronts.
There was plenty of luck involved, with France missing huge chances in the first half for three tries, but for once, the fine margins favoured England.
Now, the question shifts over to consistency and whether they can keep it up, starting off with the Calcutta Cup against Scotland.
An outside shot at the Championship remains, but it would require France to beat Ireland and England to win all three remaining games convincingly.
A corner has been turned, but the real test is keeping it that way.
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Complacent France
Beating Wales was expected, and France delivered in style with a 43-0 thrashing.
But when their first real test arrived against England at Twickenham, so did their first defeat.
Some may call it unlucky, but an alternative way to look at it is the fact that despite all the talent in the France ranks, they still can’t get results over the line.
A solitary win in 2022 has been it for the ‘golden generation’, which simply isn’t good enough.
Questions must be asked of head coach Fabien Galthie and his players. At times, they don’t seem like a team desperate to win.
It seems to be a case of a poor mentality, with it not looking as if the players take pride in playing for their country, as shown by their antics in the Argentina tour in the summer.
Something has to give, and accountability needs to be taken.
Average Scotland
Scotland is just so average at the moment, compared to everyone else.
They have a good starting XV but lack depth, making it impossible to compete with teams like Ireland and France.
opes of being outside contenders for the Championship quickly faded once play began.
Against Ireland, they looked miles off it and nowhere near their opponents, which is not the mark of a winning side.
Finn Russell has been poor and won’t have done his Lions tour hopes any favours.
Gregor Townsend has come under some scrutiny and although he has built up this Scotland team to be decent, he may have taken them as far as he can.
Maybe expectations need to be adjusted for a nation of Scotland’s size, but in the Six Nations, they remain frustratingly average.
England up next presents the perfect chance to reignite their campaign.
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Improved Italy
Italy have had it as expected, really.
Plenty saw the win against Wales as a given and they competed well against Scotland but were confidently beaten.
It’s a slight improvement from last year, but overall, they remain about where most expected them to be.
That in itself is a positive. Not to mention, the past few years have shown steady progress.
A far cry from 10 years ago, Italy now has a team that they can be proud of.
Not quite ready to compete, the future is bright, and they need to keep making incremental steps towards winning.
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