Sunday Apr 05, 2026
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The Azzurri made history beating England for the first time
Major upsets reshaped the Guinness Six Nations over the weekend as Scotland beat France 50-40 and Italy outplayed England 23-18, while Ireland were the only side to meet expectations with a 27-17 win over Wales.
France arrived at Murrayfield knowing a victory would have secured the title with a match to spare and kept their Grand Slam hopes alive. Instead, Fabien Galthié’s side were overwhelmed by a seven-try Scottish performance that has turned the final round into a three-way contest between France, Scotland, and Ireland.
Despite the defeat, Les Bleus remain in the strongest position heading into the final weekend. Four late tries in Edinburgh secured a bonus point that keeps France at the top of the table with a significant advantage in points difference.
In practical terms, France can almost certainly seal the championship with a bonus-point win over England in Paris. Even without the bonus point, victory may still be enough depending on results elsewhere.
England slumped to a new Six Nations low as they suffered their first-ever defeat to Italy.
The Azzurri were deserved winners in Rome as they broke new ground, completing the set of championship victories and beating England at the 33rd attempt. A late try from Leonardo Marin, set up by the outstanding Tommaso Menoncello, took Gonzalo Quesada‘s side to a famous victory, with the visitors made to pay for their ill-discipline.
Captain Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill were shown yellow cards as England suffered a third successive defeat, squandering a position of strength having led by eight points early in the second half despite Menoncello’s individual score. It is a result that will cause huge questions over their direction under Steve Borthwick, who cut a frustrated figure throughout the second half as his side slipped again to defeat.
