Six Nations 2026 Predictions: Will France start title defence with a win? Can England see off Wales? How will Scotland fare in Rome?

Defending champions France welcome back captain Antoine Dupont for the start of their Six Nations title defence when they host Ireland in this year's tournament opener in Paris. England kick off their campaign at Twickenham against Wales - who are aiming to avoid finishing bottom for the third year in a row. Scotland travel to Italy after leaving out stars Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn.

The Six Nations is back! Defending champions France will enter the championship confident of retention due to captain Antoine Dupont returning to action in the famous blue shirt.

They kick off this year's tournament at home to Ireland, who are aiming to take back the trophy that they surrendered last year.

Wales have finished bottom of the standings for the last two years, and will be hoping for a bright start at Twickenham, where they take on an England side much fancied to be France's closest competitors this time around.

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made a huge call to leave out the country's top two all-time try scorers, with Duhan van der Merwe left out of the squad completely for their trip to Italy and Darcy Graham having to settle for a place on the bench.

Have your say below on how you think the opening round of fixtures will play out.

Borthwick hails 'special rivalries' at 2026 men's Six Nations launch

Video credit: SNTV

Make your Six Nations predictions

The opening match of the 2026 Six Nations sees defending champions France welcome Ireland to Paris, but could the championship begin with an upset?

England are expected to challenge France for the title this year, and Steve Borthwick's side kick-start their campaign at Twickenham against Wales, who have Louis Rees-Zammit back playing in the championship for the first time since 2023, but can he make a big enough difference to their poor form?

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made some shock selections for his starting line-up ahead of their match against Italy in Rome, but how do you think that will impact the result?

'Heartbeat to their attack' - Doris wary of Dupont return

Video credit: SNTV

Care backing England to triumph in Paris

Former England scrum-half Danny Care is predicting a faultless campaign from England in this year's Six Nations, with the former Harlequins man expecting Steve Borthwick's side to lift the trophy at the Stade de France in March.

Assessing England's matches, Care told TNT Sports he thinks they will get off to a solid start at home to Wales.

"England will win very comfortably. I expect England to win by 40 points," he said.

Speaking about their showdown with Scotland, Care said: "Obviously [it is] going to be a lot tighter, but I still think England will get the win by five or six points.

"England vs Ireland, what a game that is going to be! Obviously, last year, Ireland at home, the only team that England lost to and then went on to great things. I think England will just edge it by three points."

Next up will be a trip to Italy for Townsend's men, but Care expects them to come out unscathed.

"Really tough! It always is when you play there, but I expect England to go and win by ten," he said.

Care's predictions lead to a Grand Slam showdown in Paris, which he thinks could come with a sense of déjà vu.

"France vs England could be the Grand Slam decider. How cool would that be? I think there's something cathartic in 10 years ago, England won the Six Nations, won the Grand Slam, in Paris on the final game. I've got a funny feeling England might do it again in Paris this year.

"I'm going England Grand Slam and England to win by three in that one."

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