England head into the 2026 Six Nations with palpable optimism, riding an 11-match winning streak and boasting sufficient depth to cope with front-row injuries. Head coach Steve Borthwick has called on fans to flood Paris for the final weekend, reflecting a bullishness reminiscent of England's best sides. George Furbank's return from injury adds depth to the back division, though concerns linger over the form of players like Ben Earl, who may be feeling the effects of last summer's British & Irish Lions tour. Borthwick may need to be ruthless if performances do not improve early on.
France, the defending champions, have undergone a radical overhaul under Fabien Galthié, dropping over 200 caps by omitting Damian Penaud, Grégory Alldritt, and Gaël Fickou. Despite being spooked by their autumn defeat to South Africa, France are favourites with three home fixtures. The retirement of Uini Atonio after a heart attack could serve as motivation, while Antoine Dupont returns from a long-term knee injury. Young talents like Kalvin Gourgues and Théo Attissogbe offer fresh options, and Galthié's decision to trust Matthieu Jalibert at fly-half will be closely watched.
Ireland face a challenging campaign, hit by injuries to key players including Hugo Keenan, and disciplinary issues surrounding Bundee Aki. With an ageing squad and a Lions hangover likely, Andy Farrell must integrate younger players. The fly-half conundrum persists since Johnny Sexton's retirement, and a tough opening fixture away to France sets the tone. Wales, meanwhile, will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon, with their primary goal likely to beat Italy and build momentum.
