Six Nations 2026 predictions: Who will win title, wooden spoon and the players to watch

Who do you think will win Six Nations and why?

Graham Bean: France are odds-on favourites and who’s going to stop them? England are the most likely but I can’t see them winning in Paris in the final match on Super Saturday. France’s biggest enemy could be the pressure from within. Nothing less than a Grand Slam will satisfy many of their supporters who are starting to tire of near misses under Fabien Galthie but, with Antoine Dupont back at the helm, they should be able to deliver.

Mark Atkinson: England come into the tournament as the form team and you can sense momentum building in their camp. However, France have the advantage of hosting them in Paris in what could be a final-day title shoot-out for the title and I’d back Les Bleus to just edge it.

Fraser Brown: France look the team to beat. Defending champions, the fixtures fall nicely for them with a potential Championship/Grand Slam decider in Paris on the final weekend against England. Antoine Dupont is back leading from the front and finding form each week. Francois Cros is fit and is the engine in the French pack. He generates quick ball at ruck time. With the power up front and the flair and pace in the backline, you’d be brave to bet against them retaining their title.

How do you think Scotland will fare?

Graham Bean: Scotland need a big Six Nations after the disappointments of the autumn. Two wins would feel like a scant return and it means the opener in Rome is huge. If Scotland can beat Italy they can roll into the Calcutta Cup on a high and it’s a fixture that has brought out the best in them under Gregor Townsend. Then it’s Wales in Cardiff. The optimist in me says it will be three wins from three going into break week then a reality check against France and Ireland.

Mark Atkinson: The minimum expectation for me in this Six Nations is two wins. Where they come from, I’m not so sure. The squad clearly has the capabilities to beat all the other teams but there’s not enough evidence to suggest they will. My worry is that we’ll finish fourth again.

Fraser Brown: I think Scotland will likely finish fourth behind France, England and Ireland. A lot will depend on the first two fixtures. Away in Rome in the first weekend will be one of Scotland’s toughest tests. The game against England the following week will be tight and could go either way. Lose those first two, and it will be a very difficult Six Nations. I do think Scotland have a good chance to win in Dublin in round five for the first time since 2010.

Who will be the stand-out player in this tournament?

Graham Bean: Antoine Dupont’s return is great for France and brilliant for rugby. The little scrum-half is a joy to watch and the sort of player who draws in the casual supporter with his sheer artistry. Two-footed, rapid and possessed with great vision, he also seems as humble as they come. Hopefully he can steer clear of injury this year.

Mark Atkinson: I think France captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont will be highly motivated after the best part of a year on the sidelines. He has the talent to dominate the tournament and listening to him at the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh, there is a steely determination about him.

Fraser Brown: It’s hard to look past Antoine Dupont. Should France retain their title, he is sure to be at the heart of everything they do.

Who will be the top tryscorer?

Graham Bean: The electric Louis Bielle-Biarrey is the obvious favourite and it’s hard to see past the brilliant French flyer. The purists would love to see a flying winger take the prize but the glut of tries from lineout drives means hookers can’t be discounted. Ireland’s Dan Sheehan is one of the best but don’t rule out Scotland’s Ewan Ashman who is available at a big price.

Mark Atkinson: This will go to a winger for me, probably one of the French, Irish or English boys. In previous years you might have plumped for Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe, but he’s not even a certainty to start. France have it in them to do a number on somebody so the safest bet is probably Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Fraser Brown: A lot will depend on team selection of course. Louis Bielle-Biarrey will surely get a bucket load. If England have the type of campaign they are hoping for, then I’d expect both Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman to be on the end of a lot of scoring passes.

Who is bringing home the wooden spoon?

Graham Bean: Most are tipping Wales to finish bottom but Steve Tandy’s arrival can lift them out of the slough of despond. There’s talent in the squad and I fancy them to win at least one game. We have to hope it’s not against Scotland on February 21. Their home match with Italy on the final weekend has the feel of a wooden spoon decider and I think it could be the Italians who end up taking home the mythical, unwanted ‘prize’.

Mark Atkinson: The match between Wales and Italy on the final day of the event could decide it. I like the new Welsh coach Steve Tandy but he’s got one helluva job on his hands here. Italy have the tools and most importantly, the fortitude to win that match, so I reckon Wales may prop up the pile.

Fraser Brown: Wales. Even with a new coaching team, the odds are against them. Lots of experience has gone from the Welsh squad in the last few years and Warren Gatland’s failure to expose and develop the next generation has left them with very few battle-hardened leaders. Wales’ fixtures are also not kind with England, France and Ireland away. A win against Italy in Cardiff in game five might not be enough to save them from bottom if they don’t start scoring tries and picking up bonus points.