Guide to the 2025 Six Nations: From luckless England to hapless Wales

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France for the slam? Or will it be Ireland's treble? Perhaps Scotland will finally step up – all your questions answered

Coach Steve Borthwick
Captain Maro Itoje
What to think of English rugby at the moment? Few experiences are more exhilarating these days than watching the Premiership. Occasionally, it can be quite enjoyable even watching England. But far harder to come away from the English clubs' recent experience in the Champions Cup, say, with much other than a powerful sense of dread. To watch teams at the top of the Premiership, replete with England internationals, get schooled by opponents, mainly from France and Ireland, but also Scotland and South Africa, does not inspire confidence. Even Benetton from Italy have weighed in, beating top-of-the-table Bath. Then there is the England team itself. There is evidence of some progress since Borthwick was chucked the hot potato before the last World Cup, but the old warhorse cannot seem to take so much as a step forward without being forced back again by some conspiracy of events. A World Cup semi-final was flattering, but the jewel in his crown is that win over Ireland, in all their pomp, in round four last year, followed up by a credible performance in defeat to France. Since then, there have been gratifying moments, but too many defeats.
Key player Alex Mitchell. The common denominator in Northampton's good performances (as opposed to the bad), he is expected to shake off a minor injury to line up in Dublin.
Prospects Part of an unseemly mid-table scrap, ending in, let's say, fourth.