Was it the greatest in Six Nations history?

Debate over whether the 2026 Six Nations would go down as the greatest in the tournament’s history started before the final weekend.

History, records, upsets, high-scoring classics - by round five, the tournament had already produced gold.

But, to be the best, surely an epic finale was required? Too much to ask?

Well, France and England in Paris conjured up just that.

With the final play of the tournament, Thomas Ramos’ penalty sailed through the posts to snatch a record eighth Six Nations title for Les Bleus.

Ireland, who beat Scotland 43-21 earlier on Saturday to seal the Triple Crown, saw their dreams of celebrating the title in Dublin dashed in the final few seconds of the tournament.

A thrilling 48-46 victory ensured back-to-back titles for Fabien Galthie’s side, who had their Grand Slam bid ended by a remarkable 50-40 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend.

It was France captain Antoine Dupont who lifted the hard-earned trophy in the air, with fireworks exploding around a packed Stade de France.

“France are worthy champions. They deserve it and showed plenty of character,” former England scrum-half Matt Dawson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“The pressure moments are when special teams produce. What a fantastic tournament. It has been so good.”

‘An amazing tournament, an amazing finish’

An ice-cool Ramos never looked like missing, but the game had already delivered even before the cinematic finish.

England, who came into the match on a three-game losing run and with head coach Steve Borthwick under huge pressure, scored seven tries to France’s six.

Tommy Freeman’s 76th-minute score and celebratory point to home fans looked like an unlikely famous moment in English rugby history - but Ramos had the last laugh.

“England were blistering - their pace, their skill, their intensity, their physicality -and they had a genuine chance of winning,” Dawson said.

“England were one play away from winning what is one of the greatest games in Six Nations history.

“An amazing tournament, an amazing finish, I can say ‘amazing’ another 20 times if you really want me to? Because it was incredible.”
France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored four tries against England to extend his remarkable scoring record to 10 successive Six Nations games.

Having broken the tournament try record with eight scores in last year’s championship, Bielle-Biarrey went one better this year.

The 22-year-old, who has played in only three championships, is now the joint-fifth highest try-scorer in the tournament’s history, with 18 in 14 games.

Bielle-Biarrey helped France chalk up the most points they have scored at home in the 120-year history of matches against England, beating the 37-12 win in 1972. (BBC sport)