The 2025 Six Nations Championship drew to a thrilling conclusion on March 15, with tension and drama permeated throughout the final day of matches. France, England, and Scotland took center stage with the championship hanging by a thread, making it one of the most exciting finishes to date.
France entered the final day as the frontrunners, needing only to secure victory against Scotland at the Stade de France to clinch the title, their first since 2022. The French squad, reeling from the absence of captain Antoine Dupont due to an ACL injury sustained against Ireland, knew the importance of putting on a strong showing against their opponents. This pressure intensified after England had earlier dismantled Wales 68-14—a record score—on the same day, heightening the stakes for Les Bleus.
Throughout the match, France kept the momentum alive. The opening stages were explosive, as Yoram Moefana crossed over for France's first try, putting the home team up 10-0. With Tomas Ramos converting their initial penalty, it looked like the home side would run rampant. Yet, Scotland refused to be outdone; Darcy Graham's try soon brought them back within three points at 13-10, showcasing the competitive spirit of the Scots.
"There’s a lot of excitement, it matters to all of us," voiced Gregory Alldritt, the French captain, reflecting on the intensity of the atmosphere. The Stade de France buzzed with anticipation every time the ball crossed midfield.
Midway through the first half, France's Peato Mauvaka received attention for his contentious headbutt on Scotland’s Ben White, leading to his temporary removal from play. The decision, which left fans and commentators polarized, was not upgraded to red following video review, allowing France to maintain their foothold.
Despite these challenging moments, France continued to perform well, and Ramos established himself as the leading points scorer in French history, surpassing Freideric Michalak’s long-held record. Ramos’ successful penalty pushed him to 438 points, marking another significant achievement for the player and the team.
For Scotland, the match was not merely about ruining France's hopes; they were battling against the possibility of once again finishing at the bottom of the table. With their previous two wins coming against Italy and Wales, the Scottish squad aimed to exit the championship with dignity. After considerable efforts, they cut the French lead to only three points, creating hopes for an upset.
The second half unfolded with fierce competitiveness, culminating with Jamie Ritchie, who was sin-binned during the first half, returning to play after temporary removal. Yet France, driven largely by the fervent support of their fans and the weight of history behind them, found the upper hand.
England's earlier performance had sent shockwaves throughout the tournament, with their 68-14 thrashing of Wales, who suffered their second successive wooden spoon. This enabled England to finish at the top of the standings—at least momentarily—prior to France's match against Scotland. Coach Steve Borthwick was rightfully proud, stating, "We challenged them to go out and play big and they did exactly what I was hoping for. This has the makings of a very good team, we just need to keep at the process."
The scoreline saw England run 10 tries against the Welsh—making history and leaving their opponents stunned. Despite having numerous players sidelined due to injuries, the depth of talent within this England side proved to be unyielding. Following the hassle of previous matches, momentous performances had become imperative.
The harsh reality hit home for Wales, who have now gone winless since the 2023 World Cup, marking their 17th consecutive defeat. Captain Jac Morgan acknowledged the efforts on the field but lamented the painful defeat. "It's tough, everyone's gutted but you can't knock the effort and commitment and it will come hopefully," he reflected.
The final whistle signaled the conclusion of what had been one of the most action-rich Six Nations yet. England finished with 20 points, and France held 16 points, cementing their chances for the title based on the outcome of their match with Scotland. Coming full circle, Maro Itoje encapsulated the sentiment of the day, exclaiming, "Regardless of what France or Scotland do, it doesn’t matter. We did our job today."
This finale was not merely about championship points but also about legacies—leaving marks on history for both France and England, each battling for their own narrative. The season's end raised questions for Scotland and Wales on where to go from here, as both teams regroup for future competitions.
With the dust settling on this year's championship, fans are left eagerly anticipating the next chapter of Northern Hemisphere rugby as teams prepare to evolve and overcome the errors made during this frantic season.