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3 weeks ago

Six Nations LIVE: Latest news as Sam Prendergast starts for champions Ireland against England

Interim boss Simon Easterby faces a key call at fly half, with Scotland and Italy also set to reveal their line-ups today

Harry Latham-Coyle,Luke Baker
Thursday 30 January 2025 12:09 GMT
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England head coach Steve Borthwick previews Six Nations at launch in Rome

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The Six Nations is almost here as rugby’s annual spring spectacular returns with perhaps the most open edition yet.

Defending champions Ireland are on the hunt for an unprecedented three-peat, but face a potentially tricky opener against the team that denied them back-to-back grand slams a year ago. England have had precious little success since that Twickenham win yet head to Dublin with a degree of confidence - Steve Borthwick named his side for the Aviva Stadium clash two days ahead of schedule as he looks to get on the front foot ahead of a defining campaign. Interim boss Simon Easterby has now confirmed the hosts side, with a key call made at fly half with Sam Prendergast beating Jack Crowley for the starting shirt

France and Wales confirmed their XVs yesterday ahead of their opening night battle at the Stade de France. Can a wounded Welsh side end their winless woe? Or will this be the start of another Antoine Dupont-inspired success for Fabien Galthie’s men? The form book suggests only one conclusion but this grand old championship has a habit of throwing up a surprise or two...

Follow all of the latest build-up and analysis ahead of the start of the Six Nations in our live blog below:

3 weeks ago

British & Irish Lions 2025: Predicting the squad to tour Australia ahead of the Six Nations

And here’s our stab at what Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions squad might look like...

British & Irish Lions 2025: Predicting the squad to tour Australia

How will the November action have impacted upon Andy Farrell’s thanking as he begins work as Lions head coach?
Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 10:15
3 weeks ago

What will British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?

The quadrennial assembly of Britain and Ireland’s best and brightest will add yet more meaning to the Six Nations as Lions selection looms large over the tournament.

While it is, ultimately, the competition prize that players will be vying for, all of those eligible will be fully aware that Andy Farrell will be watching closely as he bids to narrow down his squad ahead of the tour of Australia.

England are understood to have addressed the conversation directly as they prepare for a vital campaign, while Ireland captain Caelan Doris has admitted that it will serve as an “extra factor” as the four constituent nations navigate the championship.

With his first coaching appointments in place, Farrell can now cast his discerning eye over the opening rounds of the tournament with plenty of themes set to emerge.

What might he particularly be looking out for?

What will Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?

Lions contenders face a crucial campaign as they look to book their place on the plane to Australia
Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 10:00
3 weeks ago

Ireland suffer crushing injury blow ahead of England Six Nations clash

We await confirmation of the full Ireland team news, but we know that there will be no Tadhg Furlong - the tighthead is out of the opening weekend with injury.

Ireland suffer crushing injury blow ahead of England Six Nations clash

Ireland are two-time defending Six Nations champions and open their title defence against England in Dublin
Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 09:40
3 weeks ago

Former Ireland assistant Les Kiss highlights unlikely Six Nations benefit to Andy Farrell's sabbatical

Could Andy Farrell’s Ireland sabbatical end up working in Ireland’s favour? Former assistant Les Kiss thinks so.

Ex-Ireland assistant highlights unlikely Six Nations benefit to Farrell's sabbatical

Former Ireland assistant Les Kiss has highlighted how the defending champions could benefit from Lions boss Andy Farrell’s sabbatical
Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 09:25
3 weeks ago

The challenges standing between Ireland and Six Nations history

It sounds like it might just be Sam Prendergast named at fly half for Ireland today, but the debate between him and Jack Crowley at 10 will rage throughout the tournament. Ireland are chasing history, as Michael Cooke explains...

The challenges standing between Ireland and Six Nations history

As current Six Nations champions Ireland prepare for England this weekend, Michael Cooke analyses how interim boss Simon Easterby can retain momentum to pull off a historic third successive Six Nations crown
Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 09:10
3 weeks ago

Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil

It’s shaping up to be another cracking edition of a tournament that remains rugby’s prize property:

Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil

Rugby’s greatest championship has proved more competitive than ever over the last few years – who will triumph as the modern-day gladiators step back into the amphitheatre? Harry Latham-Coyle looks ahead to a tournament that again looks set to thrill
Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 08:57
3 weeks ago

Six Nations LIVE

It’s Six Nations eve, with another big day of news ahead of rugby’s greatest annual championship. Ireland, Scotland and Italy are all set to confirm their line-ups today as the build-up intensifies ahead of tomorrow’s opener between France and Wales - let’s get going...

Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 08:49
3 weeks ago

Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more

An intriguing Six Nations is set to begin as the annual championship pitting the northern hemisphere’s best sides against each other returns with as many fascinating storylines as ever. What do The Independent’s team of writers think might occur over the next few weeks? We gathered to make our predictions for the tournament.

Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more

Will a returning Antoine Dupont lead France to victory? And is there any end to Wales’ woe? A thrilling campaign awaits...
Lawrence Ostlere29 January 2025 17:57
3 weeks ago

The peculiar Wales selection that shows Warren Gatland’s muddled thinking ahead of crucial Six Nations

So it will Ben Thomas, as expected, at fly half for Wales in Paris, with Dan Edwards awaiting a debut off the bench. The pair have zero previous Six Nations experience - making the omission of Gareth Anscombe from Warren Gatland’s squad all the more peculiar.

The strange selection that shows Wales’ muddled thinking ahead of Six Nations

Experienced fly half Gareth Anscombe has been left out of Warren Gatland’s squad for a tournament in which Wales must show improvement
Lawrence Ostlere29 January 2025 17:26
3 weeks ago

Romain Ntamack included in French side to form deadly halfback combination

Romain Ntamack will feature in French side after 18 months on the side-line
Romain Ntamack will feature in French side after 18 months on the side-line (independant.co.uk)

French Marvel Romain Ntamack returns after a long 18 months on the side-line.

The 25 year old missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a knee injury and his return last November was sadly curtailed by a calf injury.

This Six Nations the Toulouse fly half will return to form a dangerous half back partnership with club teammate Antoine Dupont, after coach Fabien Galthie announced their squad for Friday against Wales.

Ntamack's return pushes Thomas Ramos to fullback in place of Leo Barre, while Pierre-Louis Barassi replaces Fickou in the midfield, and Attissogbe takes Gabin Villiere's place on the wing.

Meanwhile, Damien Penaud was expected to return to the squad this week, but suffered a toe injury in training, ruling him out of their opening game vs Wales.

His injury further adding to a list of key players unavailable for Friday's clash at the Stade de France.

Michael Cooke29 January 2025 16:46

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