Ireland, France Win Opening Matches in Six Nations 2025

In the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations, Ireland secured a 27-22 victory over England, continuing a trend of late-game collapses for the English team, which held a 10-5 lead at halftime. Despite showing improvements in defense, former players highlighted England's ongoing issues with fitness and decision-making in the latter stages of the match. Scotland triumphed against Italy, thanks to a hat-trick from Huw Jones, while Antoine Dupont's return boosted France in their win over Wales. Experts suggested that while England's gameplan may be demanding, there were still positives to build on before their next match against France. The analysis of player performances included critiques of individual errors and disciplinary issues, particularly a red card incident that impacted a Wales player. Overall, the first round highlighted both promising developments and persistent challenges for the competing teams.