HIT FOR SIX

Your ultimate guide to every team in the 2025 Men's Six Nations

- Mark Palmer, Alan Pearey & Joe Robinson

BLOW UP the balloons and bake that cake, the Six Nations is turning 25! It's a quarter of a century since Italy were invited into 'rugby's greatest championship' and this year's tournament promises to be as unpredictable as ever. Can Ireland achieve the three peat despite Andy Farrell being on sabbatical? Will Antoine Dupont's return spur France to a Grand Slam? Are things going to get worse for England and Wales?

Over the next 12 pages, we delve into the weeds of all six countries ahead of this year's championship, providing insight, expertise and predictions. The only thing we can guarantee is that over the six weeks, you won't want to miss a minute of the action...

ENGLAND

After a torrid 2024, Steve Borthwick's men need to regroup - and fast

■SIX NATIONS HISTORY

Remarkably, England still hold the record for the most Six Nations titles with seven, one clear of Wales, Ireland and France. Three of those titles came in the opening four years.

In recent memory, it's a solitary Covid Six Nations in 2020 in which England has claimed the silverware.

Alongside Ireland, England are one of two sides to have never finished bottom of the championship.

FORM GUIDE

After five consecutive defeats to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, the form book could hardly be worse. Granted, the margins were narrow but it still racked up to be their lowest win percentage season since 2008. Losing can become a habit that is hard to shake.