Has this 2026 Six Nations been levelled up… or levelled by doubt? With France’s stinging defeat in Scotland, the gaps in the table are tightening. Rarely has the competition looked so even, or so weak…

Ireland – Wales: a controlled win, a relative dominance

On Friday night at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland won 27-17 against Wales, but without truly imposing the dominance you expect from a title contender.

The Irish did start with authority, quickly turning their first long passage of play into a try from Jacob Stockdale. Possession and territory remained heavily in favour of the men in green, but the Welsh defence constantly slowed the ball down and disrupted their attacking continuity.

Wales, still without a win in this edition, produced a solid display, staying in touch thanks to their discipline and their ability to punish opposition mistakes. At the break, the gap was only two points (12-10), reflecting a more balanced contest than expected.

In the second half, Ireland eventually made the difference through the power of their pack and the efficiency of their forwards close to the line, with tries from Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne among others. Enough to secure a win with an attacking bonus point, but not enough to dispel the questions about Ireland’s ability to dominate their opponents.

Wales look to be catching up, Ireland are gradually confirming their decline.

Italy – England: the feat that changes how the Six Nations is seen

The following day, in Rome, history was written at the Stadio Olimpico. For the first time since joining the Six Nations in 2000, Italy beat England, winning 23-18 after turning around a situation that had looked to be slipping away.

England had gone ahead in the first half thanks to two tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck, and even led by eight points in the second period. But their indiscipline and lack of control gradually brought the Azzurri back into it.

Driven by the accuracy of Paolo Garbisi’s kicking and the energy of their pack, Italy drew level before going ahead through a decisive Leonardo Marin try a few minutes from the end.

That historic win symbolises the progress of Italian rugby over recent seasons. But it also underlines England’s persistent difficulties, now saddled with a third consecutive defeat in this Six Nations and facing a trip to Paris…

A levelling out of the European standard?

After four rounds, the traditional pecking order of the Six Nations looks harder to read than ever. Italy see off England, France, who had crushed every team since the start of this edition, trip over their own feet in Scotland, who themselves lost in Italy and scraped a win in Cardiff, Wales remain competitive despite their run of defeats, and no nation is genuinely dominating the whole tournament.

Two readings emerge. The first points to a genuine levelling out of the European standard. The small fry are standing up to the big beasts. The historic gaps are shrinking and every match becomes a contest (or almost). The second reading is more critical, highlighting the inconsistency of the leading nations, unable to sustain performance week to week.

Either way, the 2026 Six Nations stands out for its unpredictability. And with one round to go, that uncertainty is perhaps the best proof of its intensity… or of its instability.