As the third weekend of the 2025 Six Nations Championship draws to a close, the title battle is set, with a showdown at the Aviva between Ireland and France in two weeks’ time likely to determine the ownership of the trophy. The tournament has seen so much action. Wales sank below Georgia in the world rankings, England ground out unconvincing wins, and Scotland ultimately failed to deliver. At the same time, Italy looks to be continuing their upward trajectory under coach Gonzalo Quesada. At just over halfway, how are the teams doing and how will the last two weekends play out?

Ireland

Grade: A

Ireland’s tournament has pretty much gone to plan thus far, with Simon Easterby doing a fine job deputising for Andy Farrell. Despite a closer-than-expected win over a poor Wales side last weekend, Ireland have looked comfortable throughout the tournament, and easily able to go through the gears when required, as in the case in the second half of their opening match against England. James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park look certain fixtures in the Lions XV, whilst the pack has been imposing, easily dominating a toothless Scotland at Murrayfield. One would have to think much of the Lions XV will be Irish come July.

France

Grade: B-

France looked very impressive in whitewashing Wales and running in 11 tries against the Italians, but ultimately came up short against England in a game Les Bleus really ought to have won. Therefore, their two wins against the two weakest sides in the tournament are not enough to elevate them to an “A”, although they will be out for revenge against the Irish in two weeks’ time, as they seek to deny Ireland the Grand Slam.

England

Grade: B+

Borthwick ball can hardly be described as scintillating, as was emphasised by the fairly uninspiring performance against Scotland. However, winning ugly is a skill in itself, and despite France’s handling and the boot of Finn Russell perhaps being England’s matchwinners thus far, England do have two wins having played the three strongest teams they will face. Moments against Ireland and France were very impressive, and England seem to have got over their “losing games in the last minute” phase. Looking likely to finish second, with an outside chance at the championship if results go their way.

France have the highest ceiling of any team in this Six Nations, and if they get it right, they have the weapons in Bielle-Biarrey, Ramos et al. to spring a shock

Scotland

Grade: C

The story so far must be one of disappointment for Scotland. Unconvincing in their opening weekend defeat of Italy, being played off the park by Ireland, and failing to capitalise on being the better team at Twickenham. Injuries have played their part, with Tuipulotu’s absence particularly felt, but ultimately Scotland have failed to improve on their play from last year, despite the brilliance of Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn. May even be in danger of losing to a resurgent Wales if they lose momentum.

Italy

Grade: B

Any tournament where Italy claim any victories must be considered a success, but for this Italian team, beating Wales was an expectation, as was reflected in the betting markets. Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello make a good case for being the best centre pairing in European Rugby at the moment, and they had some good moments against France, but their defeat to Scotland, despite clawing the game back to level, means they can’t be rated higher than a B.

Wales

Grade: D-

Until last weekend, Wales were in shambles. Warren Gatland had been sacked, having cunningly not decided to pick a fly-half in his squad, hanging an inexperienced Ben Thomas out to dry by picking him in the No. 10 shirt, and they had been comprehensively beaten by France, and comfortably so by Italy. However, they were much improved against the Irish, saving them from an F grade, and with Gareth Anscombe joining stand-out Tomos Williams in the 9-10 axis, they could well cause Scotland and England headaches in the games to come.

Predictions

Based on play so far, my money would be on the Irish to get the better of a Dupont-inspired France in Dublin in a fortnight, and to secure the Grand Slam against the Italians on the final weekend. However, France have the highest ceiling of any team in this Six Nations, and if they get it right, they have the weapons in Bielle-Biarrey, Ramos et al. to spring a shock. England should have too much for the Italians and the Welsh, and Scotland should have too much quality for Wales. Italy are improving, and it will be intriguing to see how they fare against England and Ireland, especially in regards to how France took them apart. All in all, it should be fantastic viewing when 30 men run back onto the fields of Dublin, London and Edinburgh in two weeks’ time.

Image: HenryFrancis15, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0&gt;, via Wikimedia Commons