There are just two rounds of the 2025 Six Nations remaining and the title race has taken shape with three teams still harbouring realistic ambitions of lifting the trophy on 15 March. Ireland are hunting history as they look to become the first team to win three straight Five or Six Nations outright titles and are still on track for a grand slam after downing a surprisingly feisty Wales side 27-18 in Cardiff in round three.
Jack van Poortvliet scores an impressive solo try as England A beat Ireland A at a soggy Ashton Gate in Bristol.
England’s next generation of rugby talent took centre stage at Ashton Gate, showcasing their potential in a promising performance against Ireland in an A fixture that highlighted the depth of the national side’s future.
Here are the updated rankings after Ireland and England picked up hard-fought wins in the Six Nations on Saturday.
Jack van Poortvliet of England celebrates after scoring a try during the international rugby match between England A and Ireland A at Ashton Gate on February 23, 2025 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/) In a game that was played in starkly different conditions to the one Steve Borthwick’s side played in the day before at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium,
Ireland kept their Six Nations title defense alive with a hard-fought 27-18 win over Wales, securing the Triple Crown thanks to Sam Prendergast’s precision kicking and impact performances from Bundee Aki and James Ryan off the bench.
Wales have slipped to a 15th straight defeat in a 27-18 home loss to Six Nations champions Ireland, but the hosts played with
Yeah, from a Munster perspective it wasn't a good one." Considering the difficulties involved, the Ireland defence put in an incredible shift, Alex Kendellan (22 tackles), Stephen Smyth (15), Darragh Murray (13) and Sean Jansen (12) to the fore.
England A followed on from England's Calcutta Cup victory with a 28-12 win over Ireland A in a hard-fought game at Bristol Bears' Ashton Gate. Tries from Ollie Hassell-Collins, Jack van Poortvliet and Greg Fisilau,
Alfie Barbeary has been one of the Premiership's biggest ball carriers and that has the Bath star in the England conversation - and he knows a big showing for the A side will further his case
Ireland A player ratings: The fact that Ireland A were disrupted by multiple injuries in this 28-12 defeat won’t paper over the fact that England A were in the ascendency in most departments at a blustery and wet Ashton Gate. Here’s how we rated the Ireland A players: