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France edge England in dramatic finale to win Six Nations
France secured their eighth Six Nations championship in record-breaking fashion on Saturday, as Thomas Ramos' last-second penalty sealed a 48-46 victory over England in a high-scoring epic at Stade de France.
The decisive moment
With the final play of the tournament, Ramos' kick split the posts, snatching the title from England's grasp and dashing Ireland's hopes of a Dublin celebration. Ireland had earlier beaten Scotland 43-21 to claim the Triple Crown, but France's dramatic win ensured back-to-back championships for Fabien Galthié's side.
Captain Antoine Dupont lifted the trophy amid fireworks and a packed stadium, capping a tournament that had already been hailed as one of the most entertaining in history.
"France are worthy champions. They deserve it and showed plenty of character. The pressure moments are when special teams produce. What a fantastic tournament."
Matt Dawson, former England scrum-half, BBC Radio 5 Live
A tournament of records and drama
England, despite a three-game losing streak and mounting pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick, matched France's intensity with seven tries to France's six. Tommy Freeman's 76th-minute score had briefly given England the lead, but Ramos' clutch kick ensured France's victory.
"England were blistering-their pace, their skill, their intensity, their physicality-and they had a genuine chance of winning what is one of the greatest games in Six Nations history."
Matt Dawson
France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey stole the spotlight with four tries against England, extending his scoring streak to 10 consecutive Six Nations games. The 22-year-old winger now ranks joint-fifth in the tournament's all-time try-scoring list with 18 tries in just 14 appearances.
The 2026 Six Nations shattered multiple records:
- A tournament-high 111 tries, surpassing last year's record of 108.
- The final round saw 29 tries scored-the most in a single Six Nations day.
- Ireland's 42-21 away win over England in round three was a record margin.
- Italy's first-ever victory over England in the tournament's history.
- Thomas Ramos became the first player to top the scoring charts (74 points) in four consecutive championships.
A rollercoaster for all nations
The tournament began with Italy's shock win over Scotland, heaping pressure on Gregor Townsend's side. Scotland responded with a dominant victory over England at Murrayfield, ending their rivals' 12-game unbeaten run. However, Ireland's clinical performance against Scotland in the final round extinguished Scotland's title hopes.
England's campaign unraveled under Steve Borthwick, culminating in four defeats-their worst Six Nations performance in history. Wales, despite finishing with the Wooden Spoon for the third consecutive year, ended on a high with a bonus-point win over Italy, their first victory since 2023.
Historic or the greatest?
Debate over whether the 2026 Six Nations ranks as the tournament's finest began before the final weekend. With records tumbling, upsets galore, and a last-second climax, it has cemented its place among the most memorable editions.
"It was one of the most captivating Six Nations in history, fitting it came down to one final moment of drama."
Chris Jones, BBC rugby correspondent
The 2015 tournament, famous for its 'Super Saturday' three-team title race, had long been regarded as the benchmark for entertainment. However, the 2026 edition delivered non-stop drama from the opening round to the final kick, with every nation contributing to the spectacle.
