Six Nations Rugby Championship Delivers Thrilling Opening Weekend with France Stunning England

The 2026 Six Nations Rugby Championship exploded into action with a weekend of stunning upsets and brilliant rugby, headlined by France's commanding 28-17 victory over England at the Stade de France in Paris. The result has completely reshuffled early championship predictions and set up what promises to be one of the most competitive tournaments in recent years.

France dominated the first half with exceptional forward play and clinical finishing, racing to a 21-3 lead by halftime. Captain Antoine Dupont was instrumental in orchestrating the attack, with his pinpoint passing and tactical kicking keeping England's defense constantly under pressure. The home crowd of 80,000 created an electric atmosphere that seemed to lift the French players to another level.

England's second-half comeback attempt fell short despite a much-improved performance after the break. Two quick tries from Marcus Smith and Sam Underhill brought the deficit to seven points, but France's defensive resilience and experience proved decisive. The victory marks France's first opening-round win over England since 2020 and establishes them as early favorites for the championship.

Elsewhere, Scotland delivered a shock 24-19 victory over Wales in Edinburgh, with Finn Russell producing a masterclass performance at fly-half. The result continues Wales's struggles in recent tournaments and raises serious questions about their championship aspirations. Ireland secured a comfortable 31-12 win over Italy in Dublin, with their forward pack dominating possession and territory throughout.

The results have completely altered the championship landscape, with traditional powerhouses England and Wales facing early pressure to recover. France and Ireland now emerge as the teams to beat, while Scotland's victory suggests this year's tournament could be one of the most unpredictable in memory.

Next weekend's fixtures become even more crucial, with England hosting Italy in what is now a must-win encounter for Steve Borthwick's team. The championship already promises to deliver drama and excitement as teams battle not just for the title, but for pride and momentum heading into the Rugby World Cup qualification period.