Former All Blacks star Justin Marshall believes that the Six Nations is now “arguably better” than the Rugby Championship following the stunning 2026 edition.
France claimed the title on Saturday in a tournament which went down to the very last kick as Thomas Ramos’ penalty snatched the silverware from Ireland’s grasp.
That 48-46 triumph for Les Bleus over England represented the best of the sport with the finale in Paris being regarded as one of the greatest games in the competition’s history.
South’s World Cup dominance
While the southern hemisphere has dominated at Rugby World Cups, winning nine of the 10 global tournaments, and sit one and two in the current World Rugby rankings, the Six Nations has always been a wonderful spectacle.
Its history and tradition, as well as the rivalries between the respective countries, makes it an incredible competition, but the Rugby Championship has tended to have the edge in overall quality.
That is perhaps until this year where the standard of rugby on offer was high throughout with all teams – even England at the end – putting on a show.
“It’s a historic competition, but so is the Rugby Championship now as well and it produces some intense games – you only have to look at the All Blacks playing in South Africa and the two Tests here last year,” Marshall said on The Breakdown.
“Probably the Bledisloe’s a bit damaging for the tournament at the moment because Australia haven’t been able to win that Bledisloe and the All Blacks have dominated them.
“But that Six Nations tournament, because of its history, is arguably a better and more constructed tournament, and the teams are playing rugby now.
“You’re not seeing 9-6 or 9-3 or 12-9, whatever it might be. They are playing, we saw a lot of points in all those games.”
There have been some excellent matches in this year’s Six Nations but no doubt it was topped by the France v England thriller on Saturday.
Particularly given what was on the line, it will be remembered for years to come.
‘The whole Six Nations was sensational’
“It was an outstanding game of rugby, there’s no doubt about it,” Marshall said. “I was very privileged to play in that Game of the Century in 2000 against Australia.
“It was a pretty cool game as well where the lead changed and a lot of tries were scored, and that was a very similar game.
“What I loved about this contest was it wasn’t in a way non-constructed. England had to work hard for their points, but they were prepared to work hard.
“Their attack looked good, their shape looked good. Kicking strategies were competitive and then France with their ability.
“Louis Bielle-Biarrey, oh my goodness gracious, man that guy can play. [Antoine] Dupont had his moments. He didn’t have the most magnificent game but then he creates stuff.
“The English hung in there. It was an outstanding game of rugby, it really was. The whole competition was sensational.”