Six Nations Round 3 Takeaways: Contenders, Officiating & Lions Debate
Six Nations Round 3 Takeaways: Contenders, Officiating & Lions Debate
Six Nations Round 3 saw Ireland stay unbeaten, England reclaim the Calcutta Cup and France bounce back. Key takeaways, officiating woes and Lions debate.
Round 3 of the Guinness Six Nations served as the first true separator between genuine title contenders and the rest of the field.
As the tournament passed its halfway mark, the weekend’s action provided clarity on which teams remain in the hunt for championship glory and which have fallen by the wayside.
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Standing atop the table with a 3-0 start is reigning champion Ireland, which overcame a vastly improved Welsh team to open the round’s action.
Despite a valiant effort from Wales, Simon Easterby’s side proved its resilience and quality to extend its unbeaten run.
Keeping the pressure on Ireland, England secured a hard-fought 16-15 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield, reclaiming the Calcutta Cup for the first time in five attempts.
Steve Borthwick’s squad benefited from three missed conversions by Scotland’s Finn Russell, marking their first back-to-back victories since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Concluding the weekend’s action, France emphatically responded to its Round 2 loss to England with a dominant 73-24 victory over Italy.
Just a year removed from a home draw against the same opposition, Les Bleus proved once again how reliant they are on the brilliance of Antoine Dupont.
With the results now in the books and the action in the rearview mirror, here are three key takeaways from the third round of the Six Nations:
Officiating Needs Work
Before delving into officiating concerns, it is important to acknowledge that refereeing is one of the most challenging roles in professional sports. Even a flawless performance by a match official is subject to scrutiny depending on the result.
However, this weekend’s Six Nations matches have sparked particular criticism due to several head-scratching decisions.
One of the most contentious moments came in England’s narrow win over Scotland, where Tommy Freeman’s try appeared to be held up upon replay, yet was awarded nonetheless.
This was followed by Maro Itoje’s miraculous turnover, where the England lock leapt over the breakdown in what many deemed an illegal maneuver.
In both cases, the benefit went to the home side, leaving Scottish fans understandably frustrated.
Beyond these individual moments, a growing concern in rugby is the increasing involvement of the Television Match Official (TMO).
While TMOs play a vital role in ensuring fairness, their consistent interference in reviewing incidents with negligible effects on the game only serves to frustrate fans and slow down play. Rugby already is a complex sport, and excessive TMO intervention risks further complicating matters.
A potential solution would be to limit the TMO’s role to verifying crucial aspects of scoring plays, such as grounding and dangerous foul play, when explicitly requested by the referee.
Outside of these situations, excessive reliance on the TMO, much like the controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football, is negatively affecting the flow and spectacle of the sport.
Two Tiers Remain
While not a new phenomenon, the 2025 Six Nations has two clear front-runners heading into Round 4.
Fortunately for rugby fans, they will be separated in what could be a championship-defining fixture when Ireland hosts France at the Aviva Stadium.
Throughout the competition’s history, Ireland, France, England and Wales all have had their moments as top contenders, but in 2025, Ireland and France routinely have demonstrated they are the two strongest sides.
While England remains mathematically capable of winning the title, its victory over France in Round 2 was aided by an astonishing 29 handling errors from Les Bleus, highlighting the role of French inconsistency, rather than English dominance.
In Round 3, a resurgent Wales delivered an almost flawless performance in a near-upset of Ireland but still fell nine points short.
Meanwhile, France’s dismantling of Italy showcased France's brute physicality and depth, reinforcing its status as a top-tier side.
Then, there is the curious case of Scotland, a team brimming with talent yet unable to overcome the Irish hoodoo - a mental block that prevents the Scots from breaking into true title contention.
As with all sports, power dynamics fluctuate over time, and England appears to be the team best positioned to disrupt the established order in the coming years. However, for now, regardless of the final standings, Ireland and France remain a step ahead, while the other four nations continue to battle on a relatively even footing.
Lions Fly-Half Debate Heats Up
Heading into the Six Nations, Finn Russell and Marcus Smith were widely regarded as the front-runners for the British and Irish Lions’ fly-half role. However, as the competition unfolds, both players have encountered challenges, leading to a heated debate about who should assume the coveted No. 10 jersey.
Starting with Smith, the Harlequins playmaker has found himself displaced by his namesake, Fin Smith, who has brought a structured and composed approach to England’s backline. Despite being just 22 years old, Northampton’s Fin Smith plays with the maturity of a seasoned veteran, perfectly aligning with Borthwick’s structured, kick-heavy game plan.
On the other hand, Marcus Smith is renowned for his game-breaking ability, but his unorthodox style requires a team built around his strengths.
With his undeniable talent, Borthwick has opted to keep him in the squad by shifting him to fullback. While this experiment has yielded mixed results, long-term concerns persist - especially after Scotland exploited his aerial vulnerability in Round 2.
Against top-tier opposition like Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand, Borthwick may favor the solidity of Freddie Steward or George Furbank at fullback, potentially relegating Smith to a bench role as an impact player.
As for Russell, the Scotland talisman endured a difficult Round 3, missing three crucial conversions that ultimately cost his team the Calcutta Cup. His struggles can be attributed to multiple factors - whether it be the lingering effects of his collision with teammate Darcy Graham against Ireland or simply the pressure of the moment. Either way, his performance raises questions about his reliability in high-stakes matches.
With the two pre-tournament favorites struggling, Ireland’s Sam Prendergast and Fin Smith have emerged as potential Lions fly-half candidates. Both 22-year-olds long have been touted as generational talents and have displayed moments of brilliance in this year’s competition. However, neither is the finished product just yet.
Prendergast, for instance, was clearly targeted by Wales in Round 2, with a missed tackle leading to a crucial try.
At 6-foot-5, the Leinster playmaker has the frame to develop into a physical force, and his exceptional kicking ability is a weapon any side would relish. Yet, there are still elements of his game that need refining.
Smith, in contrast, offers a more polished package at this stage.
His defensive solidity, kicking accuracy and composure in pressure situations make him a more reliable test match playmaker. While his ceiling may not be as high as Prendergast’s, his current form suggests he could be the safest option for the Lions.
Outside of the main contenders, Ireland’s Jack Crowley remains an intriguing dark-horse candidate.
Having led Ireland to its second consecutive title last season, Crowley combines the physicality of Fin Smith with the dynamic flair of Marcus Smith. However, like Marcus, he has found himself in a bench role due to Ireland’s backline depth. If given a chance to start against France and deliver a championship-winning performance, Crowley could re-enter the Lions conversation in a major way.
Rounding out the potential options is Scotland’s Tom Jordan, a versatile and physical operator who recently earned his first cap. While talented, his lack of top-level experience makes him an unlikely selection for now.
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