Introduction
The 2021 Six Nations Championship, played from 6 February to 26 March 2021, was the 22nd edition of the competition in its current format and the 127th overall.
Held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament delivered some of the most dramatic and unpredictable rugby in recent memory.
Wales, under head coach Wayne Pivac, emerged as champions for the 28th time, claiming both the Six Nations title and the Triple Crown, though narrowly missing out on a Grand Slam in the final minutes of their last match. The competition’s intensity and late twists ensured the 2021 edition would be remembered as one of the most thrilling in modern history.
Tournament Review
Wales entered the tournament seeking redemption after a disappointing 2020 campaign and quickly turned things around. They edged Ireland 21–16 in the opener, defeated Scotland 25–24 in Edinburgh, and then dismantled England 40–24 in Cardiff to capture the Triple Crown. A convincing 48–7 win over Italy put them within reach of a Grand Slam, but in a stunning finale at the Stade de France, France scored a last-minute try to win 32–30, ending Welsh hopes of perfection.
France, led by Antoine Dupont and Fabien Galthié, played some of the most exciting rugby in the tournament — fast, creative, and explosive. However, after a narrow loss to England (23–20), they needed a big win over Scotland in their rescheduled final match to clinch the title. Despite leading late, France were beaten 27–23, handing Wales the championship.
Ireland recovered from two early defeats to win their last three matches, including an impressive 32–18 victory over England. Their captain Johnny Sexton finished as the tournament’s top point scorer with 65 points.
Scotland produced their best campaign in years, winning three matches — including historic away victories over England and France — and finishing fourth only on points difference.
England, the defending champions, never found consistency and finished fifth, their worst result since 2018.
Italy, meanwhile, struggled once more, extending their winless run to a record 32 consecutive Six Nations defeats.
Rugby Highlights – Key Results
- England 6–11 Scotland – Scotland win at Twickenham for the first time since 1983
- Wales 40–24 England – Wales claim the Triple Crown with dominant display
- Ireland 32–18 England – Irish power and precision overwhelm the English pack
- France 32–30 Wales – Late Dulin try ends Wales’ Grand Slam dream
- France 23–27 Scotland – Scotland’s first win in Paris since 1999
Final Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 1 | Wales | 5 | 4 | 1 | 20 | +61 |
| 🥈 2 | France | 5 | 3 | 2 | 16 | +37 |
| 3 | Ireland | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 | +48 |
| 4 | Scotland | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 | +47 |
| 5 | England | 5 | 2 | 3 | 10 | −9 |
| 6 | Italy | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | −184 |
Statistical Highlights
- Champions: Wales (28th title)
- Triple Crown: Wales (22nd title)
- Top points scorer: Johnny Sexton (Ireland) – 65 points
- Top try scorer: Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 5 tries
- Player of the Championship: Hamish Watson (Scotland)
- Total tries: 86 (average 5.73 per match)
- Total attendance: 0 (matches played behind closed doors)