Six Nations 2026 Standings: England and France Set the Early Pace
PARIS, 14 February 2026 – The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations has commenced with a shift in the European rugby hierarchy. Following the opening fixtures, England and France have emerged as the early frontrunners, while Ireland managed a narrow escape against a resurgent Italian side in Dublin.
England Take Top Spot After Wales Rout
England currently sit at the summit of the Six Nations table thanks to a superior points difference. Steve Borthwick’s side delivered a clinical performance at Twickenham, defeating Wales 48-7. The victory was marked by a clinical offensive display, earning the English a crucial bonus point. Ahead of their Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland, England have made tactical adjustments, including the return of Maro Itoje and Luke Cowan-Dickie to the starting XV.
France follow closely in second place. Les Bleus secured a convincing 36-14 victory over Ireland in their opening match, a result that has also seen France leapfrog the Irish in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings. The French side remains the bookmakers’ favourite to retain their title as they prepare to face Wales.
2026 Six Nations Table (Current Standings)
| Position | Team | Played | Points | Points Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 1 | 5 | +41 |
| 2 | France | 1 | 5 | +22 |
| 3 | Ireland | 2 | 4 | -15 |
| 4 | Italy | 2 | 1 | -7 |
| 5 | Scotland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Wales | 1 | 0 | -41 |
Ireland Survive Italian Scare
In the most recent fixture at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland secured a 20-13 victory over Italy, though the performance left many questions for head coach Andy Farrell. Italy led 10-5 at half-time and threatened to record their first-ever away win in Dublin. While Ireland claimed the four points, their failure to secure a bonus point and their opening-round loss to France leaves them trailing the leaders.
Italy, despite the loss, have earned significant praise. Their defensive resilience and tactical discipline have seen them rise in the “Power Rankings,” currently sitting above Scotland and Wales in many expert assessments. A potential rise to 7th in the World Rugby Rankings remains a possibility if results continue to trend upward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is currently leading the 2026 Six Nations?
England currently leads the championship table with 5 points and a points difference of +41, followed by France who also have 5 points but a lower points difference (+22).
How many times have France and England won the Six Nations?
Since the tournament expanded to the Six Nations format in 2000, both England and France have won the title 7 times each. Ireland and Wales follow with 6 titles each.
What was the result of the Ireland vs Italy match?
Ireland defeated Italy 20-13 on Saturday in Dublin. Despite the win, Ireland struggled to overcome a 10-5 half-time deficit against a disciplined Italian side.
When is the next match for France?
France are scheduled to play Wales on Sunday at 16:10. Wales have announced four changes to their starting line-up following their heavy defeat to England.