2026 Six Nations: Hutch's Round 1 Predictions

It’s one of the best times of year for Rugby fans as the Six Nations gets underway, with a thrilling prospect in Paris tonight, and we can get excited about it even on a Thursday.

Here are my Six Nations predictions for Round 1.

France v Ireland

These two teams have been the best in the tournament in recent years, winning the last 4 titles between them, and this opening fixture is likely to set the trajectory for them both. A win in Paris for Ireland would make them title favourites, but a defeat here and they will be written off, particularly with a trip to Twickenham to come later in the tournament.

However, Ireland’s injury issues mean that France are strong favourites, and a first Away win for Ireland since 2018 seems unlikely. They’ve been forced to pick an inexperienced front row, and they are likely to be underpowered against the hugely-physical French outfit.

Ireland will want to play fast and keep the ball away from the tight areas, but I suspect Antoine Dupont will control the game, play to France’s strengths and squeeze Ireland out. They’ll dominate possession and territory, and I think the visitors will find it hard to get a foothold in the game. Prediction: France by 8

Italy v Scotland

This is a very tricky opening game for Scotland and they are potentially vulnerable here. Italy have started strong in the Six Nations in the last few years, running France and England very close in Rome, and this is a perfect opportunity to catch the Scots cold.

The Azzurri enjoyed a positive November series with a famous win over Australia and a gutsy performance against the Springboks, and they’ll have been focusing on this match ever since. Meanwhile, Scotland had disappointing defeats to New Zealand and Argentina, and in looking at how to catch up with the likes of France and Ireland, they might just take their eye off the challenge in front of them in Rome.

On paper, Scotland have a stronger squad, and if Finn Russell runs the show effectively to orchestrate a high-tempo game, the visitors ought to win. But Italy are very capable of keeping this within a score, and then anything can happen at the end. And now having written this, I’ll be more upset if I pick Scotland along with everyone else and then Italy do sneak it. Prediction: Italy by 2

England v Wales

Matches between these old rivals are normally very tense, closely-fought and with a result that can go either way. Indeed, only two years ago, England were narrow 2-point winners in this fixture at Twickenham, but the narrative ahead of this game is about how many England will win by.

Despite a few close results, Wales have only managed to score an average of 13 points in their last 5 meetings with England, and the main concern is that England’s attack is starting to click - as they demonstrated in last season’s 68-14 thrashing in Cardiff.

The hosts’ lineup is packed with attacking talent, with a winger picked at centre and Henry Arundell and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso providing pace on the wings. George Ford will pull the strings, and then England will unload their bench, which features no fewer than 5 Lions players. It’s hard to see how this inexperienced Welsh side is going to live with them at Twickenham.

Their main hope rests with England often being slow starters in this competition, and if Wales can keep it close and the pressure builds on the hosts…no sorry, I can’t see it. Prediction: England by 23

How do your predictions compare?