Scotland go into their Six Nations opener against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday with memories of last year’s shock loss to the Azzurri still fresh in their memory. The Scots have yet to win the title since Italy joined the tournament in 2000, with their hopes often dashed by France and in particular defending champions
Sam Prendergast will be in the spotlight when Ireland begin their quest for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title against England in Dublin on Saturday. The 21-year-old has been selected to start at flyhalf by interim Ireland coach Simon Easterby, with Jack Crowley on the bench. Munster’s Crowley featured throughout Ireland’s title-winning campaign last
MARK KEOHANE is blown away by the remarkable journey of Italy loose forward Ross Vintcent, the least known of four South Africans featuring in the 2025 Six Nations. Vintcent is set to earn his 10th Test cap off the bench at Murrayfield when Italy and Scotland clash in their championship opener. Compatriots Pierre Schoeman and
Maro Itoje has confirmed that the selection of Tom and Ben Curry signals an evolution in England’s plan to beat two-time Six Nations defending champions Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. England edged Ireland 23-22 at Twickenham last season and did so with 2.01-metre Leicester lock Ollie Chessum deployed at blindside flank in a move aimed
Duhan van der Merwe has been cleared to start in Scotland’s Six Nations opener, while lock Jonny Gray is set to make his first Test appearance in nearly two years after being named to face Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday. South African import and Scotland’s record try-scorer, Van der Merwe has been passed fit following
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has named Tommaso Allan at fullback for their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, allowing Ange Capuozzo to move to the wing. Italy’s record point-scorer in the Six Nations, Perpignan’s Allan stepped away from the Italy side after their 27-24 defeat by England in last season’s tournament, citing
Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named Sam Prendergast at flyhalf for the reigning Six Nations champions’ opener against England in Dublin on Saturday. Prendergast has been selected for his championship debut ahead of Jack Crowley, a mainstay of last year’s title-winning team but is now on the bench. Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrumhalf
Warren Gatland has recalled veterans Josh Adams and Liam Williams to pull Wales out of a 12-match slump when they square up against France in the 2025 Six Nations opener on Friday. There are only four survivors in the Wales starting line-up from the side overwhelmed 45-12 by world champions South Africa last time out
Experienced backs Josh Adams and Liam Williams will return for Wales in their Six Nations opener against France on Friday as Warren Gatland’s men bid to end a 12-match losing streak. The return of wing Adams and fullback Williams, who both missed large chunks of 2024, is a major boost for Wales, who finished bottom
France flyhalf Romain Ntamack is set to make his comeback in the 2025 Six Nations opener against Wales on Friday, but Les Bleus will be without ace finisher Damian Penaud. Ntamack is back from a long-term knee injury, swopping places on the crock list with Penaud, who is among several other players unavailable for the
Duhan van der Merwe will be available for Scotland’s opening Six Nations match against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday. The Scots have been hard hit by injury, with captain Sione Tuipulotu, Scott Cummings, Dylan Richardson and Josh Bayliss all ruled out. Van der Merwe missed training last week due to an ankle injury sustained in
Twins Ben and Tom Curry will start together for England for the first time, along with uncapped winger Cadan Murley in their Six Nations opener against Ireland on Saturday. The 26-year-old brothers, who both play for Premiership club Sale, will fill the flanker positions either side of No 8 Ben Earl for the Aviva Stadium
