March 2025 Rugby Round-Up
The Rugbystore round-up of the big news stories from the world of rugby over the last month.
France win the Men’s Six Nations
Following two years of Irish dominance, Les Bleus has won the 2025 Six Nations. Due to their superior points difference and dominating win over Ireland in Round 4, France went into the final matchday knowing a win against Scotland in the last fixture of the tournament would be enough to secure them the title.
Despite a spirited Scottish performance in Paris, Fabien Galthié’s men did enough to overcome Gregor Townsend’s side 35-16. That championship win also sees France move level with England for titles in the Six Nations era with both sides having seven titles apiece.
Bath claims the Premiership Rugby Cup
It’s easy to forget that there has been a lot of club rugby happening during the Six Nations. While the best of players from the six northern hemisphere giants continue to battled it out, England’s Premiership Rugby Cup has reached its conclusion with Bath claiming the title in a clinical 48-14 win over the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
Bath has become the sixth champions of the Premiership Rugby Cup —joining an illustrious list of top-tier English clubs— since its inception in 2018/19 and they will be hoping this acts as springboard to further success this term. The Somerset side are currently looking at a treble this season, as they sit atop the Gallagher Premiership and are currently looking forward to a Challenge Cup last 16 tie against France’s Section Paloise.
British & Irish Lions coaching team announced
At the back end of March Andy Farrell named his coaching staff ahead of this Summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. The Lions head coach picked a very strong Irish contingent; Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman have all joined the fold. England coach Richard Wigglesworth, and Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel, make up the rest of the team. Momentum is steadily building as toward the next Lions milestone — the squad announcement on the 8th of May.
Competitions Round-up
6 Nations
As mentioned above, France has won this year’s tournament following a tense Super Saturday that saw Ireland and England win their respective games to pile the pressure on Les Bleus.
For Scotland, the defeat in Paris marked the end of what has been a disappointing tournament, and Gregor Townsend will be aware of that, as pressure begins to build round his future as Scotland’s head coach.
Italy will hold lots of frustration coming out of this year’s competition, as the Azzurri’s single win against Wales is seen as somewhat of a disappointment for the developing side. Regardless, they are still showing signs of progression, with their humiliating defeat to France looking more like a shock result compared to their other performances.
Finally, Wales has notched 17 straight defeats. They now look to confirm their next head coach ahead of their Summer Tests against Japan.
Gallagher Premiership
With the Premiership Rugby Cup concluded, all eyes will turn back to the Premiership as we reach the business end of the season.
Having already won silverware this season, Bath has continued a run of fine form; they hold a ten-point lead at the top of the table with only five games left before the play-offs.
Leicester Tigers lost ground on the league leaders in their last game with a defeat at home to Saracens, who themselves sit only two points off a play-off berth. With very little time left till the play-offs there is an intense battle between five teams; Tigers, Gloucester, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Harlequins are separated by only four points.
United Rugby Championship
With the end of the Six Nations, the URC is back to full strength as the northern hemisphere international players return to their clubs.
Both Leinster and Glasgow Warriors have secured their places in the play-offs with plenty of games to spare. The Bulls and Sharks looking likely to follow suit in their upcoming matches.
With four games left in the league phase anyone from Munster, in fifth place, to Zebre, in fifteenth, have a mathematical chance on making the top eight.
Super Rugby
Still in the earlier stages of its season, Super Rugby Pacific has continued to entertain the rugby purists with more high-octane action.
Queensland Reds and the Chiefs have continued their strong starts, as they occupy the top 2 spots in the table. The Crusaders and Brumbies have tried to keep up but currently sit just off the early pace setters.
While most teams have tasted victory in recent weeks, it’s been a month to forget for the Highlanders and Blues. Both are on a three game losing streak, with the Blues in particular showing real signs of concern. They sit in tenth place, with points difference being the only thing keeping them above Fijian Drua.
Women’s Six Nations
The Red Roses got their Women’s 6 Nations title defence off to the perfect start with two convincing wins over Italy and Wales. France, their closes challengers, have tried to keep up with wins over Ireland and Scotland, but England’s two bonus points have them top of the table heading into the break week.
Rugby Europe Championship
Georgia has made it eight Rugby Europe Championship titles in a row following their 46-28 win over Spain this month. The Spanish put up more of a competitive front in comparison to their group stage match earlier in the tournament, but it still wasn’t enough.
The bigger news from this tournament is the effect it has on qualification picture for the Rugby World Cup 2027 as Georgia, Spain, Romania and Portugal have all now confirmed their places in the expanded tournament in Australia.
Belgium still has a chance to join them ‘down under’ after beating the Netherlands 31-10. This win secures their place in the Final Qualification Tournament, taking place in November 2025. They will have to wait to find out their respective opponents, but should they come out on top, they will also book their ticket to the Rugby World Cup.
That’s it! That’s our quick roundup for March 2025. Be sure to checkout the rest of the Rugbystore Blog for more news, reviews, training tips and much more.