The curtain came down on the 2025 Six Nations in Paris on Saturday night where Scotland’s 35-16 defeat saw them finish fourth for the fifth time in six seasons.
The win gave France the title, with Fabien Galthie’s side finishing one point ahead of England, and two in front of Ireland. Italy were fifth and Wales picked up the wooden spoon for the second season running.
Scotland opened their campaign with a 31-19 home victory over Italy but then lost heavily at Murrayfield to Ireland, 32-18, and agonisingly to England at Twickenham, 16-15. They bounced back to defeat Wales in Edinburgh 35-29.
Gregor Townsend’s side scored 16 tries across the campaign and conceded 14.
They used 29 players and here’s how they rated:
5. Grant Gilchrist - 6
Games played: 5 (5 starts) Minutes played: 371 Points: 0 Played more minutes than any other Scottish forward and hit 150 rucks across the five games as well as winning the most lineouts (19). Brought solidity and helped set the emotional tone. Won his 80th cap in the finale against France. | Getty Images Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
6. Jamie Ritchie - 8
Games played: 5 (4 starts, 1 sub) Minutes played: 300 Points: 0 A highly impressive tournament for the Perpignan-bound flanker who is back to his very best after not only losing the Scotland captaincy but also his place in the side after the 2023 World Cup. Started all matches apart from the Ireland game, edging out Matt Fagerson for the No 6 jersey against England and Wales. Won the most turnovers (seven) of any player in the championship. Second on the Scotland list for lineout takes (16). | Ross MacDonald/SNS Group/SRU Photo: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group/SRU
7. Rory Darge - 6
Games played: 5 (5 starts) Minutes played: 342 Points: 5 (1 try) Promoted to co-captaincy alongside Finn Russell when Sione Tuipulotu was ruled out, Darge was quietly effective. He hit more of his own team’s rucks (153) than any other player in the Six Nations. Notched Scotland’s opening try of the championship, against Italy, the only one of the 16 to be scored by a forward. Injured during the Wales match but recovered to lead the side in Paris. | PA
8. Jack Dempsey - 6
Games played: 4 (3 starts, 1 sub) Minutes played: 223 Points: 0 Reintroduced from the bench in the opener against Italy after a long lay-off with a shoulder injury sustained against South Africa in November. Shook off the rust as tournament progressed and started against Ireland, England and Wales. Missed the France match with a hamstring issue. Posed a real threat against England and Wales. | SNS Group