Six Nations news: Second-round power rankings as Scotland surge, England and Ireland disappoint
France cemented their place as favourites to win the 2026 Six Nations in round two as Scotland redeemed themselves by claiming a famous victory over Grand Slam hopefuls England.
Scotland defeated their lacklustre neighbours 31-20, France crushed beleaguered Wales 54-12, and Ireland failed to impress in beating Italy 20-13.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Terry gives his second-round power rankings as Scotland climb and title not-so-contenders shuffle down the order.
1. France (no change)
Much like the phrase ‘French flair’ being mentioned on match commentary, Les Bleus look inevitable and unstoppable.
The defending champions crossed eight times as wings Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attisogbe, twice, dotted down.
Debutant Fabien Brau-Boirie also scored, the 20-year-old Pau centre another example of the young blood being nurtured in domestic superleague the Top 14.
Easing off the accelerator at the hour mark, the French never needed to wipe sweat off their brow, becoming the sole team eligible for a Six Nations Grand Slam.
2. Scotland (up three places)
The kings of round two, who exorcised their rain-sodden Roman despair, romped to a euphoric victory over the Auld enemy.
Scotland reclaimed the Calcutta Cup, with Matt Fagerson’s exceptional charge down of George Ford’s drop goal attempt for Huw Jones’ try the turning point.
Gregor Townsend has clearly got England’s number and is able to print that on his business card now, but whether this is the start of a bounceback is unknown.
3. England (down one place)
The worst English performance of the last three years dashed hopes of a Grand Slam and possibly even title dreams.
Henry Arundell’s 20-minute red card for not releasing and a further yellow for taking Kyle Steyn out in the air compounded a sluggish performance.
Conceding 19 turnovers left England with little time with ball in hand in the 22 as red-zone completion embarrassed Steve Borthwick, as did seven attacking penalties conceded.
The route for England to win the Six Nations, wherein France must lose, is narrowing every weekend the French ‘jouez’ like they know best.
4. Italy (no change)
Without Louis Lynagh’s early yellow card, Italy would have won this fixture and that is a lesson in patience.
Paolo Garbisi slotted a penalty and conversion as Gli Azzurri earned a deserved losing bonus point after Giacomo Nicotera had scored a first-half try.
Lynagh had stuck a hand out to intercept and fell foul of Hollie Davidson, who judged the wing to have patted the ball down for an intentional knock-on.
The game-maker for Italy against Scotland thus became the game-breaker against Ireland in the opening 20 minutes.
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5. Ireland (down two places)
The Irish failed to convince critics that the landslide hadn’t started last October.
Sam Prendergast’s pick at fly-half is facing Jack Crowley–sized queries as his kicking form off the tee disappointed yet again, wiping both conversions wide.
Crowley scoring five vital points after his entrance with 25 minutes to go told a tale.
With Ireland matching Italy on metres gained, carries, and line breaks – which would have seemed unthinkable a year ago – I have the right to wave a naval-ship issue red flag.
6. Wales (no change)
Just one victory in the last 16 matches for Wales on the Six Nations stage, but there were definite positives to take from yet another half-century collapse.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s performance at full-back was much more confident as the former NFL reservist settles back into the international XV at a new position.
The Welsh front row showed their strength as Rhys Carré got on the scoresheet, and nearly 600 metres gained was a clear improvement offensively.
That said, three tries scored and more than a hundred points conceded deserves bottom.
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