Independent.co.uk

add

Ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship this July, each side has questions to address

Who makes our selection after a captivating championship?

The Rugby Football Union will investigate England’s worst performance in Six Nations history.

A superb performance in Paris against France gave England hope of a brighter future – but why did it take so long for them to deliver the reaction they had promised?

England finished a Six Nations campaign with four defeats for the first time despite a strong showing against France

France claimed back-to-back titles as fortune favoured the bold across a captivating championship

With a shock victory in their grasp, England let the game slip in a chaotic final passage that ended with a penalty from Thomas Ramos

England produced their best performance of the competition as they fell to a late 48-46 loss to France, which saw them finish in fifth with one win.

Ireland 43-21 Scotland: Andy Farrell’s side didn’t get the favour they needed from England in Paris having done their part in Dublin

France 48-46 England: The hosts claimed back-to-back titles but were pushed all the way in a ludicrous encounter

France 48-46 England: Ramos held his nerve with the final kick to devastate brilliant England and hand Les Bleus the title following one of the greatest Six Nations matches of all time

Ireland moved top of the table by registering a 12th consecutive victory over the Scots – but England could not do them a favour in Paris.

Ireland continued their dominance against Scotland but England could not do them a favour in Paris.

Wales’ previous first Six Nations win was on March 11, 2023 – 1,099 days ago.

Wales 31-17 Italy: Steve Tandy’s side were outstanding as Cardiff stirred to celebrate a long-awaited success

The hosts kept themselves in contention for the Guinness Six Nations title with a 12th consecutive victory over the Scots.

Wales 31-17 Italy: An ever-improving Wales recorded their first Six Nations win since 2023 by outclassing the Azzurri in Cardiff

Ireland 43-21 Scotland: The impressive hosts proved too strong in Dublin to leave them hoping for a favour from England to snatch the title away from France

The title fight will be decided on ‘Super Saturday’

The period under investigation came in the build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup

England will be condemned to their worst Six Nations finish since 1987 if they lose to France in Paris

Ireland are in a three-way battle to win the Six Nations

Defeats to Scotland, Ireland and Italy have put pressure on the England head coach ahead of a meeting with title-chasing France

Itoje and Smith appeared to share a heated discussion over what to do with a penalty against Italy

A three-way title fight should provide a fitting finale to an unpredictable edition of this championship

Scotland find themselves among three nations vying for the championship

Andy Farrell restores Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier to his starting pack, with Bundee Aki on the bench

After showing spirit in defeat against Scotland and Ireland, Steve Tandy’s side must swap valour for victory

Tighthead Fagerson is promoted off the bench as one of three changes to Gregor Townsend’s starting side

Suspension and injury have ruled out two key French forwards