Six Nations: Will Maloyd be the captain of the Lions? Will Wales win again this year?

The 2025 Six Nations finished the most presumed method before the weekend finale. Ireland beat Italy, but they needed a Dan Sheehan Hutt trick to do so, and England hit a 68-14 victory, so they did a very light job for Wales, but it was France who finished the title after an impressive second half show against Scotland.

After a tournament that offered some shocks and new champions, there’s a lot of food for thought, but are those reactions irrational or legal? Weight of ESPN’s Tom Hamilton and James Regan.

Jump:

England|Ireland|Wales
Scotland | France | Italy

Maro Itoje gave the Lions a captain’s headache

For a long time, Irish Kaelan Doris appeared to be the man set to captain the Lions, but he endured tough weeks. Meanwhile, Ito’s stocks are rising sharply. Can England skippers lead the lion this summer?

verdict: It’s not an overreaction

This summer, this is a coin flip of who Andy Farrell’s captain is.

Ito doesn’t swear. He rarely rattles. His leadership icon is not of sports. He is an unconventional leader, but he is a great leader.

This was his first championship to take charge of England and he did an incredible job. Jamie George was a great captain, but Ito hasn’t skipped the beat as the team’s leader. For some, honor grows heavier and more heavier on the shoulders and affects form, but Itoje has had a galvanized effect.

He was monumental to Wales on Saturday and received support from Steve Borthwick to the Lions captain this summer. It’s rare for Borthwick to break the cover like that when he does something out of his control, but that was a big tribute to Ito.

The advantage of going to Ito over Doris is that the English men have already taken two lion tours. Doris is more familiar to Pharrell and his go-to guy to guide Ireland into the next era. It promises to be an attractive call.– Tom Hamilton

Ireland should consider this to be six poor countries

Ireland took part in the tournament as a favorite to win the third title in the bounce. Instead, France hammered them in the fourth round, passing Rome Italy on Saturday. So, was it a complete failure?

verdict: Overreaction

First, let’s look at the positives. Four wins from 5 are a decent return, the only loss to the final winner of the tournament, and the group that should have won a Grand Slam, but due to the odd abundance against the UK.

There is no shame in losing to this French team.

This was the championship that saw Sam Prendagast advance as a fly half over the next decade. Jack Crowley had the chance to push his point on Saturday, but was too lewd from the tee. Elsewhere, it was a tournament in which Ireland said goodbye to three amazing warriors: Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony.

“The team has to move forward and produce the next Peter O’Mahony, Sian Healy and Connor Murray,” interim head coach Simon Easterby said. “That’s the challenge.”

This was a transition tournament. The Lions are likely to feature around 15 Irish players in the group, so there is a sea of ​​opportunity for Irish players to drive lawsuits on their tours this summer. They have an outstanding group there to move them forward, but that’s depth, which is a concern.

Sometimes their handling was too sloppy. Their defense was open. They lacked strength. These things can be solved, but all they have to do is build the next group of Irish greats. Ireland has been above its weight for the past decade, but has to work to stay on top.– Hamilton

Wales’ losing streak continues for everything in 2025

Wales went through 17 consecutive Test losses over the weekend. All that gamblism around Matt Shellatt’s reconstruction was brutally crushed by the British.

Their next scheduled game will be playing against Japan in July, so this loss execution will not end soon. But will this last for the second consecutive calendar year?

verdict: Overreaction

Sherratt and Jack Morgan appeared to have been completely crushed after their defeat to England. Sherratt said the loss reopened some old wounds. This lost run mental illness is clearly embedded in this Welsh team. You feel for them.

Personally, Morgan has six outstanding countries and I don’t deserve it. Blair Murray is certainly the unlucky player of the championship. He ruled out his attempts against Scotland, another person was banned against the UK and then slammed Luke Cowan Dickey in the ankle as he sprinted.

As Sherratt said after the match, the team has a green revival. You can see the younger core growing. Saturday’s game was simply a step too. There are too many games in one. However, the summer tour should give you the opportunity to reset where you will face Japan in two Tests.

Wales will need to introduce a new look coaching team, with rugby directors overseeing the entire program. It will feel like a chance to try again.

If Morgan and Lake Dewi do not create a Lions team, they need to retain as team leaders, but the overall challenge is building depth in key positions. Winners will come, and they will certainly film a winning streak that lost this summer. – Hamilton.

France is ready to rival the All Blacks, Springbok

France was under pressure to deliver the title after the disappointing home Rugby World Cup in 2023 and one 6 Nations title to showcase for the Golden Generation. Now they can add another title to the trophy cabinet at the National Rugby Centre in Marcosis, Paris. But did this tournament show that they were ready to rival the best in the world?

verdict: It’s not an overreaction

The victory over Ireland showed that many could go up at the opportunity they thought it was an impossible challenge, but the outcome against Scotland was a professional performance when pressure and expectations were at its highest.

The blip against England is undoubtedly arguably ranked Fabian Gartier. It was a great campaign from France that got them back on track after the disappointments of 2023 and 2024.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect was how well they still looked without Antoine DuPont. Blues Most of the time, they remained in the above classes against Ireland and Scotland.

The current issue is regeneration. Their powerful front row is impressive, but not young. There is hope that fresh blood will come at the 2027 World Cup. If so, they will definitely be able to match New Zealand and South Africa when the time comes.– James Regan

Lions No. 10 Jersey Questionable Fin Russell

This year’s Six Nations was something to forget about the injured Scotland team. There were predictable victories against Italy and Wales, but the defeat to England, Ireland and France left a sour taste. Among them was an overwhelming performance, including Fly Half Finn Russell, but will his Lions location be sacrificed to him?

verdict: It’s not an overreaction

Most of Scotland’s goodness against France came from Russell, who had brilliantly dominated his side in the circumstances of trial, but Farrell would want to see more from the talent of mercury for the rest of the domestic season.

Russell has the obvious advantage of being a world-class player, and his potential rival in Jersey is still quite unexperienced. Finn Smith saw his home in the English fly half, but only had a handful of tests. Sam Prendagast had a flash of bright spots, but was dropped for Ireland’s final match, but Steve Boethwick is still looking for the perfect place to put Marcus Smith. All logic still points to Russell, starting with a big match against Australia, but the door for others to prove themselves is Ajar. – Regan.

Italy’s best players disappointed them

Italy didn’t come last, so there was progress. However, they lost four of the five games, some of them are familiar.

verdict: It’s not an overreaction

I saw a flash of what Italy could produce against Ireland, as I followed Ange Capoozzo’s chips and Stephen Varney’s attempts, but I needed more of those moments. Gonzalo Quesada made a statement sounding the changes to the final match, but it was too late.

After showing good progress in 2024, this year’s campaign has taken a step back. Azzurri.

It was only the unfortunate Welsh side that prevented them from picking up a wooden spoon. Italy had fewer bonus points and hadn’t it been a blast against England, the difference in points in Wales would have been much closer.

Italy needs more from Capuozzo Paolo Garbisi, Tommaso Menoncello, Co and more. Being competitive with Six Nations. – Regan

– Tom Hamilton of Cardiff: England is short, but progress is clear
– Watch: How England made history in Six Nations’ Thrashing of Wales
– Six Nations and Women’s Six Nations: Full Fixture List
– British & Ireland Lions 2025: Australia Tour Fixture