The 2026 Six Nations has kept everyone guessing, ripping up pre‑tournament scripts and making anyone who dared to predict anything look foolish. One final instalment awaits on a decisive ‘Super Saturday’, where history can be made…
Having been talked up as title contenders before the tournament, England now face the grim reality of crashing to their worst-ever Six Nations campaign, finishing with a solitary victory unless they defy expectations against title‑chasing France.
England boss Steve Borthwick travels to the Stade de France fighting for his future in the wake of a landmark first defeat by Italy in round four.
Borthwick is convinced he has the necessary fixes, but evidence of a revival is needed against France, with another heavy defeat likely to test the RFU's patience ahead of the post‑Championship debrief.
France's staggering 50-40 defeat at Murrayfield last Saturday could be bad news for England and for anyone hoping for an upset in Paris.
Fabien Galthie's side saw their Grand Slam hopes dashed last time out but now have a clear objective: inflict maximum damage in Le Crunch to retain their title.
It is hard to look beyond a successful Les Bleus title defence, given the destiny of the championship is in their hands and they will know exactly what they need when they step onto the field.
France have set the pace throughout the Six Nations, and a strong finish would underscore their status as the dominant force in northern hemisphere rugby.
In a tantalising three‑way tussle for the title, Ireland and Scotland will go toe‑to‑toe in Dublin for the Triple Crown and the chance to move top of the championship table.
The victors will then need England to spring a major surprise in Paris in the final fixture of Super Saturday to prevent Galthie's defending champions returning to the summit.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell insists "anything can happen" in the final round and believes under‑fire England are capable of doing his side - or Scotland - a favour against France.
Asked if England have the quality to cause a shock at the Stade de France, Farrell said: "Of course. Look at the results in the competition. Of course they do, 100 per cent.
"Everyone knows the players they've got and the coaching staff they've got and what they're capable of. And when a team is a little bit wounded as well, anything can happen.
"It's a fantastic position to be in as a neutral watching the Six Nations this weekend. But nothing would surprise me - exactly the same as last weekend."
Forget about the Six Nations title.
As Gregor Townsend has been at pains to point out, the title is out of Scotland's hands. Only collecting more match points against Ireland in Dublin than France manage against England in Paris will hand them the title.
And yet, even if Scotland are denied a maiden Six Nations title, history still beckons on many levels for Townsend's team.
A victory would secure a first Triple Crown since 1990 - a generation‑defining triumph for Scottish rugby and for Townsend's tenure. There is also the opportunity to end Ireland's dominance in the fixture and exorcise their Dublin demons.
Scotland have lost their past 11 meetings with Ireland, with their last win coming nine years ago, and they have not won in the Irish capital since a 2010 victory at Croke Park.
It goes without saying how significant a title‑clinching victory would be, but there is still so much on the line.
Come kick‑off against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday, 1,099 days will have passed since Wales last tasted victory in the Six Nations.
Since that March 2023 win over Italy, a barren three‑year period has seen Wales lose 15 consecutive Championship matches - their worst run in the tournament's history.
Wales conceded 102 points in opening defeats to England and France, but there have been shoots of recovery under Steve Tandy, with significant progress shown against Scotland and Ireland in the previous two rounds.
Scotland were five minutes from losing in Cardiff before edging a 26-23 win, while Wales were within one score of Ireland until four minutes from time in last weekend's 27-17 defeat in Dublin.
Italy travel to Cardiff on the back of arguably their biggest‑ever win after defeating England, but there is hope that the positives from Wales' campaign can be pieced together into a complete performance that ensures they end the tournament on a high.
