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Six Nations 2026 permutations: How can France, Ireland and Scotland win Championship?

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Six Nations 2026 permutations: How can France, Ireland and Scotland win Championship?

Radio Times breaks down how France, Scotland and Ireland can win the Six Nations 2026 Championship.

The Six Nations trophy, with Guinness ribbons and branding, on a plinth in the corner of the pitch at Stadio Olimpico.

(Photo by Marco Iacobucci/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Ned Holmes

Published: Thursday, 12 March 2026 at 3:00 pm

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The final day of the Six Nations 2026 looks set to live up to its Super Saturday billing and could end with a rare phenomenon – Scottish or Irish fans supporting England.

Scotland's victory over France in Murrayfield last weekend has blown the title race wide open and three teams head into the weekend hunting silverware. France remain top of the table but the Scots have pulled level on points and Ireland are only one back in third.

Saturday's games will decide who wins the Championship. The French are gunning for back-to-back titles, Scotland are chasing their first-ever Six Nations triumph, and Andy Farrell's side have their sights set on a third win in four years.

Super Saturday kicks off with Ireland v Scotland in Dublin, before Wales host Italy, and then England travel to face France in the evening game. Ultimately, the winner of the early match will need a favour from the English in Paris.

Fans are set to be treated to a thrilling final day of the tournament, with twists and turns to be expected, but what do the three teams chasing the title need to do to get their hands on the trophy?

Radio Times breaks down how France, Scotland, and Ireland can win the Six Nations 2026 Championship.

France

France full-back Thomas Ramos, in blue and white rugby kit, runs with a rugby ball in his hands on the pitch at Stade de France.

France full-back Thomas Ramos. Franco Arland/Getty Images

v England at Stade de France (8:10pm) ITV

France will be keeping a close eye on events at the Aviva Stadium and will know exactly what they need to do ahead of kick-off against England.

If Scotland beat Ireland, France will win the Championship with:

A win with more bonus points than Scotland
A win that leaves the two teams level on points, unless Scotland overturn the 58-point points-difference gap

If Ireland beat Scotland, France will win the Championship with:

A win
A draw, as long as they get one more bonus point than Ireland or Ireland beat Scotland by 63 points or more
A loss with two bonus points if Ireland don't get a try bonus point, unless the Irish make up the 63-point difference deficit

If Ireland and Scotland draw, France will win the Championship with:

A win
A draw
A loss with two bonus points, as long as Scotland don't get a try bonus point

Scotland

Scotland centre Hugh Jones, in blue rugby kit, runs on the pitch at Murrafield with the backs of two teammates in the foreground.

Scotland centre Hugh Jones. (Photo by Malcolm Mackenzie/Getty Images)

v Ireland at Aviva Stadium (2:10pm) ITV

Scotland will need to overcome their struggles against Ireland in the Six Nations and hope for a favour from England if they are to claim their first title.

If France beat England, Scotland will win the Championship with:

A win with more bonus points than France
A win that leaves the two teams level on points, as long as Scotland make up the 58-point difference deficit

If France draw with England, Scotland will win the Championship with:

A win
A draw with more bonus points than France

If England beat France, Scotland will win the Championship with:

A win
A draw
A loss by two points or less, with two bonus points, as long as neither France or Ireland get a try bonus point, and Scotland make up the 58-point difference deficit

Ireland

Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley puts a rugby ball on a kicking cone and lines up a kick on the pitch at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images)

v Scotland at Aviva Stadium (2:10pm) ITV

Ireland cannot win the Championship if France beat England.

If France draw with England, Ireland will win the Championship with:

A win
A win with the same number of bonus points as France, provided Scotland do not take two losing bonus points and Ireland overturn the 63-point points-difference gap

If England beat France, Ireland will win the Championship with:

A bonus point win
A win, as long as neither France or Scotland get two losing bonus points. Ireland will also need to make up a 63-point difference deficit if they finish level on points with France

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Ned Holmes, smiling against a lime green background.

Ned Holmes

Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.

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