The 2026 Six Nations Championship ended with one of the most dramatic finishes in the tournament’s long history. A last-second penalty from Thomas Ramos gave France a thrilling 48-46 victory over England and secured the title in front of a packed crowd in Paris.
The result delivered France’s record eighth Six Nations championship, completing a tournament filled with high-scoring games, major upsets, and unforgettable moments.
A Championship Decided in the Final Seconds
The decisive moment came in the final play of the match. Ramos calmly stepped up and sent the ball through the posts, sealing victory for France and crushing Ireland’s hopes of winning the title.
Earlier that day, Ireland had beaten Scotland 43-21 to secure the Triple Crown, but their celebration plans ended when France won their match.
France finished the tournament with a narrow but dramatic win over England. The victory also gave the team back-to-back Six Nations titles under head coach Fabien Galthié.
England Push Champions to the Limit
England delivered one of their strongest performances of the tournament despite entering the match after three consecutive defeats. The team scored seven tries, while France managed six.
Late in the match, Tommy Freeman crossed the line in the 76th minute, giving England a brief lead and sparking hopes of a famous win.
However, France kept their composure and earned the decisive penalty moments later.
Captain Lifts Trophy in Paris
Following the final whistle, France captain Antoine Dupont lifted the championship trophy as fireworks lit up the sky at the Stade de France.
The victory confirmed France as deserving champions after an intense tournament campaign.
Although France had earlier lost their chance for a Grand Slam after a 50-40 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield, they recovered strongly to secure the overall title.
Record-Breaking Performance by Bielle-Biarrey
France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey delivered another outstanding performance during the final match.
He scored four tries against England, extending his remarkable streak to 10 consecutive Six Nations matches with a try.
The 22-year-old also set a new tournament record this season after scoring nine tries, surpassing his previous record of eight from the previous championship.
Despite playing in only three Six Nations tournaments, Bielle-Biarrey has already scored 18 tries in 14 matches, placing him among the most prolific scorers in the competition’s history.
His performance also helped France achieve their highest home points total against England in more than a century, surpassing the previous record from a 1972 match.
One of the Greatest Six Nations Tournaments
The 2026 championship delivered thrilling matches from the opening round to the final whistle.
High-scoring games, record-breaking performances, and a title decided in the final seconds created a tournament many fans will remember as one of the greatest editions of the Six Nations Championship.
