When Italian replacement Alessandro Fusco booted the ball dead at the Stadio Olimpico last Saturday night, a guttural roar exploded from the packed stands.
The victorious Azzurri players jumped for joy. There was jubilation for the home supporters and in the coaching box, their boss Gonzalo Quesada was mobbed by his assistants.
Fusco’s kick brought confirmation of a historic Six Nations moment – a first Italian win over England – as well as agony for Steve Borthwick. But it also served to rubberstamp the fact that in this writer’s opinion, the 2026 Championship has been the best in its history.
Since Italy joined what was previously the Five Nations in 2000, they have been regular whipping boys. Their place among the European elite has at times been rightly questioned. Not now.
Defeat for Borthwick’s men in Rome means Italy have now beaten each of their Six Nations rivals and their significant improvement, and the subsequent levelling-up of the tournament, has seen it go to new heights this year.
Now, at last, there is genuine competition across the board. Even Wales have shown welcome and much-needed signs of improvement in their last two matches, although they are admittedly still searching for a first win since 2023.
A kick from replacement Alessandro Fusco confirmed a first victory for Italy over England on Saturday – and started a massive party in Rome
Italy’s resurgence as a rugby nation is making the 2026 Six Nations a compelling watch as a tournament where anyone can beat anyone
England’s journey from a team on a 12-match winning streak to a side in crisis encapsulates how this year’s tournament has been a rollercoaster
Some may make the argument that the quality of rugby has been better in previous years.
But there can be no doubt that the 2026 Championship is out in front in terms of the narrative swings it has provided. There have been ups and downs. We’ve come to expect the unexpected. No team better sums this up than Borthwick’s England.
After their round-one hammering of Wales, England were on a 12-match winning streak. All was rosy in the RFU’s garden. Five weeks later, Borthwick’s men have suffered three straight defeats, entering a crisis that no one saw coming.
They aren’t the only side to have ridden the 2026 Six Nations rollercoaster, however. Scotland and Gregor Townsend were beaten by Italy on the opening weekend – no disgrace in that, by the way – and were in a whole world of pain.
Daily Mail Sport understands Scottish Rugby bosses were seriously considering dispensing with Townsend’s services if the result of the England game went against them. It didn’t, Scotland benefitting from an awful England start to blow Borthwick’s men away.
Since then, they have edged past Wales and scored seven tries against France. Their 50-40 victory over Les Bleus was as high-scoring as it was unexpected.
Ireland were deemed to be over the hill after failing to turn up against France and scraping past Italy, but their demolition of England saw them return to their best.
Scotland’s 50-40 victory over France last weekend was entirely unexpected – and breathtaking to watch
Wales prop Rhys Carre went viral on social media after his stunning try against Ireland in Dublin
Going into this weekend’s ‘Super Saturday’, France, Scotland and Ireland all remain in title contention. France and Scotland – who could lift the trophy for the first time since its expansion – are locked together on 16 points. Ireland are two adrift.
Italy could yet finish as high as third and England bottom. An English defeat in Paris will certainly see them record their worst tournament finish in history.
While this represents significant trouble for Borthwick, his players and all those with a love for English rugby, the fact there have been so many shocks and there is still so much to play for on the final weekend is exactly why we all tune in to watch professional sport.
Round four, in particular, also included some special individual moments – Wales prop Rhys Carre’s stunning 30-metre try in Dublin (which has since been viewed over five million times on TikTok alone), Tommaso Menoncello’s Gladiatorial-like Roman powerplay and Alex Mann’s mammoth 32 tackles.
| Team | W | L | PD | BP | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. France | 3 | 1 | +79 | 4 | 16 |
| 2. Scotland | 3 | 1 | +21 | 4 | 16 |
| 3. Ireland | 3 | 1 | +16 | 2 | 14 |
| 4. Italy | 2 | 2 | -24 | 1 | 9 |
| 5. England | 1 | 3 | +4 | 2 | 6 |
| 6. Wales | 0 | 4 | -96 | 1 | 1 |
Such has been the topsy-turvy nature of this year’s Championship that if England and Wales played again on Saturday, another huge upset could well take place. Borthwick’s men would probably still be favourites, but the match would likely be a lot tighter.
It just goes to show how much can change in professional sport over the course of a month. And that unpredictability is exactly what keeps us all coming back for more.
First played as the Home Nations in 1883, the Six Nations provides a vital bridge between the January blues and the start of spring.
It represents rugby nirvana for all those who love the sport and is also the tournament that attracts the most casual fans.
My word have we been treated to some fine action this year. Long may it continue. The Six Nations has always been one of the jewels in rugby’s crown. But it has been so good this year, it will take some beating for the award of greatest sporting competition of all.