Scotland vs Ireland — Triple Crown Secured
Ireland 43–21 Scotland (Triple Crown Secured): Ireland was clinical in their ultimate dismantling of a spirited Scottish side to claim the Triple Crown. While Scotland kept it close through Finn Russell's creativity and solid defence and set-piece consistency, Ireland's superior bench depth turned a 5-point second-half lead into a bonus-point win.
The red zone was the decisive battleground. Ireland's defence inside their own 22 was organised and relentless — Scotland generated chances but could not convert them under that pressure. Andy Farrell's squad management across 80 minutes, and particularly the impact of his bench, continues to set the standard in world rugby.
LIPPY'S VIEW
This was a fantastic match, which was so evenly played. The intensity of both teams was really amazing to watch and the skill levels were fantastic. The major difference really was red zone conversion, with Ireland's defence being just unbelievable whenever Scotland got into the red zone. It seemed like Scotland were just off the mark, but Ireland had a purpose and they delivered. Finn Russell, as always, was unbelievable. And it was wonderful to see, in all three games this weekend, a move away from the incessant and aimless kicking. There was a deliberate intent in all the games to play running rugby, and it was a blueprint for how rugby should be played. I thought the man of the match should have been Tadhg Beirne, which was interesting because I wrote that down and then when Caelan Doris won the man of the match, he concurred that Tadhg Beirne should have been given man of the match. But all of the players stepped up.
Wales vs Italy — The Streak is Broken
Wales 31–17 Italy (The Streak is Broken): Wales finally ended their 1,000-day Six Nations losing streak in front of an electric Cardiff crowd. By dominating the collisions, they ensured they avoided the wooden spoon and dampened Italy's "Rome Revolution" momentum. Two late Italian tries were disallowed purely because of Welsh defensive pressure in the dying minutes — a direct reflection of the team's culture and standards under Steve Tandy.
What Tandy has built in the space of a few weeks is remarkable. A team that conceded 100 points in their opening two matches became a team playing with structure, belief, and zero fear by the end of the tournament. The packed Principality Stadium singing Land of My Fathers with the game already won, and Wales still hunting every ball — that is the spirit of this sport.
LIPPY'S VIEW
In my opinion, Wales are the story of this tournament. Having started off with so much pressure — 100 points put on them in the first two matches — and then being able to turn themselves around against all odds and play their next two games against very strong competition very close, and then put in a fantastic performance against a good Italy side. They were disciplined, their execution was excellent. This is a team now that's got belief and confidence and they're playing with no fear. So it's great for rugby to see a rugby nation like Wales being competitive again. If there was an award for coach of the tournament, Steve Tandy in my opinion would definitely get it. To hear a packed Principality Stadium singing Land of My Fathers — Wales played with grit. Even with the game already won, they did not stop playing. The hustle and determination to not allow Italy to score was unbelievable, and they were vindicated by two tries being disallowed just because of Welsh hustle towards the end. Aaron Wainwright was absolutely fantastic — amazing, amazing, inspirational game.
England vs France — The Title Decider
France 48–46 England (The Title Decider): In a heavyweight "prize fight" in Paris, France secured back-to-back titles in a 13-try thriller. Thomas Ramos sealed the trophy with an 82nd-minute penalty. England delivered their best performance of the cycle, scoring seven tries and leading 27–17 at the half, but France's across-the-board talent — Antoine Dupont's leadership, Thomas Ramos' impeccable kicking, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey's clinical finishing — allowed them to survive and repeat as tournament champions.
England's gameplan was working beautifully for long stretches — ball in hand, building phases, dominating the gain line. France were on the back foot and looking fatigued. Then came the substitutions, the kicking, and suddenly France had their legs back. Two points. An 82nd-minute penalty. A finish that will be talked about for years.
LIPPY'S VIEW
One of the most extraordinary rugby matches I've seen.
The lead changed multiple times. Initially, it looked as though England might be put away — but they showed tremendous resilience, building pressure through possession-based, ball-in-hand rugby and forcing France into heavy defensive work. That was the right approach, and it was working.
Antoine Dupont was simply unbelievable, Louis Bielle-Biarrey continued locking down his credentials as the best wing in the world with 4 tries, and Ollie Chessum confirmed he is a true world-class player. I thought England brought him on too late in the Italy match — had he started earlier, that result might have been different. He is that good.
What stuck with me, though, was Henry Pollock's taunting and early celebrating. I understand that some see it as competitive fire and great social media branding, but doing that with two minutes on the clock — against France — and then losing the game? That's not bravado, that's not paying attention to the most critical element for succeeding in this sport,..."next job" and "act like you've been there before". The greatest players this game has produced — Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, Antoine Dupont, Steph Du Toit — you simply never saw that from them. And crucially, they had earned the right to carry themselves however they chose. Henry Pollock, while talented, is still only an impact player off the bench for a side that is ranked sixth in the world. The pantomime has to be backed by performance, and right now it isn't. It's a distraction, and it doesn't sit well with the culture rugby holds itself to. He is becoming his own meme, and it is not flattering.
The other story of this match was kicking reliability. Fin Smith missing three conversion attempts (6 points) proved decisive — at this level, those are the margins between winning and losing. And the final frustration was Jack van Poortvliet coming on and abandoning the high-tempo, ball-in-hand strategy that had been building pressure all game, reverting to territorial and kick chase kicking in the last twelve minutes. It deflated everything England had built, handed France the opportunity to consolidate possession, and flipped the pressure back the other way. A baffling tactical reversal at the worst possible moment. Kicking away possession to the most deadly counter-attacking back three in the game, giving the French forwards a breather and an opportunity to regroup, was silly. With the damaging gain line breaking runs by Ben Earl and Chandler Cunningham-South, the French were on the back foot — only to be given a reprieve.
What made it even harder to understand was the decision to take Ben Spencer off in the first place. He was excellent — ensuring quick ball and maintaining constant pressure throughout. I checked to see if he'd been injured, but it appears it was a tactical decision. It made no sense to me.
That this Six Nations came down to the 82nd minute of the final game of the tournament is testament to just how extraordinary this year has been — arguably the greatest in history. For Ireland, watching from Dublin with the title seemingly secured, only to see it slip away in the final moment, must have been absolutely heartbreaking.
Super Rugby Pacific — Fijian Drua vs Brumbies
The Fijian Drua defeated a Brumbies second-string side 42–27 in Fiji, in a 10-try shootout. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula was clinical from the tee with 17 points. The pattern is now impossible to ignore — playing in Fiji is a unique and brutal challenge, and teams that underestimate it pay the price every time.
LIPPY'S VIEW
The Drua thumped the Brumbies second-string side in Fiji — another indication of how hard it is to go and play the Fijians on their home soil. The Brumbies clearly made a strategic decision to send a weaker side because they want to rest up for a Friday game against the Chiefs. However, this is why many international teams don't want to go play rugby in Fiji — because it's a massive speed bump.
All Blacks — Coaching Staff Takes Shape
With Dave Rennie confirmed as All Blacks head coach through the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the focus has shifted to who surrounds him. Jason Ryan is expected to be retained — a smart call, providing continuity in the forwards and set-piece department where he has been exceptional.
The bigger talking point, reported by The Breakdown, is the potential appointment of Tana Umaga as an assistant coach. Umaga is one of the most storied figures in All Blacks history — a former captain who commanded enormous respect throughout his playing career and carries significant mana within the game. His coaching experience has been mixed, and he has not coached at the international level, however his rugby gravitas, acumen, and global respect could be very important to the All Blacks. The Breakdown has raised genuine questions about exactly what his role would be within Rennie's structure — and that is the right question to ask.
URC — Playoff Picture
Glasgow Warriors lead on 45 points. Stormers, Ulster, and Leinster are all level on 41 points behind them. Cardiff (40 pts) and Munster (39 pts) round out the top six. The Lions (33 pts) and Bulls (30 pts) currently hold the final two playoff spots, with the race for those positions tightening. Plenty of rugby still to play.