France Claims Six Nations Title in Thrilling Win Over England
PARIS (AP) – France secured the 2026 Six Nations Championship title on Saturday with a nail-biting 48-46 victory over England at the Stade de France, marking their first successful defense of the crown since 2007. The win was secured by a last-second penalty from French fullback Thomas Ramos, capping off a frenetic match that captivated fans across Europe.
The victory represents a significant milestone for the current generation of French players, often lauded for their talent but previously criticized for failing to translate potential into silverware. This title marks their first back-to-back championship win since 2006-2007, silencing critics and solidifying their place among rugby’s elite.
“It’s so hard to win titles, to win this tournament,” said French captain Antoine Dupont, reflecting on the hard-fought victory. “You have to appreciate the luck you have in winning, and for some, it’s their first title. You have to savor these moments, which are rare.”
While France had previously aimed for an 11th Grand Slam, a defeat in Scotland earlier in the tournament temporarily derailed those ambitions. However, they demonstrated resilience, bouncing back to claim the championship in dramatic fashion. This is their third title since Fabien Galthié took the helm in 2020, a record unmatched by any other nation during that period – almost a title for every two tournaments played.
Ramos’s performance was particularly crucial, showcasing his reliability as a kicker. He finished the match with a perfect record, converting all seven of his penalty attempts (16 points total) and ending the tournament as its leading point scorer with 74 points, maintaining an impressive 87.5% success rate. He has now amassed 560 points in 52 appearances, becoming the highest point scorer in French rugby history.
“This penalty? It’s in my top three, and it’s not third…” Ramos said, savoring the moment.
The match also saw a surprisingly aggressive and dynamic performance from England, defying pre-match expectations of a conservative game plan. Despite the loss, England’s display showcased a commitment to attacking rugby and a willingness to challenge France’s dominance.
However, the victory wasn’t without its blemishes for the French side. Their defense has been a cause for concern, conceding seven tries against both England and Scotland in recent matches – a total of 96 points in just two games. This defensive vulnerability raises questions about the role of defense coach Shaun Edwards, with speculation mounting about potential changes within the coaching staff.
“We need to ask ourselves the right questions about what went wrong to concede almost 100 points in two matches,” Ramos acknowledged. “We showed a great mindset and good stats in the first three matches, and how can we fall to this? We need to be honest with ourselves because if we want to succeed in international competitions, we can’t continue to concede so many tries…”
Meanwhile, France’s head coach Fabien Galthié has faced criticism for his increasingly evasive post-match interviews, often deflecting questions and offering ambiguous responses. His approach, while seemingly effective in maintaining team morale, has drawn scrutiny from the media.
For England, the 2026 Six Nations represents a disappointing outcome. Four defeats in a single tournament is a first for the team, resulting in a fifth-place finish. The result has prompted questions about the future of head coach Steve Borthwick, particularly with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia looming.
(Reporting by [newvelles-du-monde.com staff], based on reporting from Le Figaro and TF1 Info.)