As England finds itself with two wins from three in the 2025 Six Nations, following victories over France and Scotland, there’s no doubt that the final stages of the Championship will be a thrilling ride.

With the upcoming matches, there’s much to reflect on, including some key decisions and standout moments from round three.

Marcus Smith’s Dilemma: Finding His Best Position

With George Furbank sidelined due to injury, England has benefited from the Smith-Smith combination of Fin and Marcus in the past two games, a move that has proven successful.

However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Marcus Smith is not playing in his ideal role.

Despite doing a decent job, playing out of position as a full-back, he’s a fly-half at heart.

At 26, it’s time for Marcus to approach head coach Steve Borthwick and request to be played in his natural position.

He’s a talented player, but his prime years shouldn’t be spent away from his best role.

If Furbank returns fit, Borthwick will face a tough decision on who should be England’s main playmaker.

Personally, Fin has stepped up and performed admirably under pressure, which leaves Marcus likely to be on the bench.

Wales’ Impressive Transformation Under Matt Sherratt

The Wales-Ireland game was a true spectacle.

After a rough start under Warren Gatland, Wales had no direction or confidence, but interim coach Matt Sherratt worked wonders in just four training sessions.

His coaching led to a remarkable turnaround, and although Wales didn’t come out on top against Ireland, their performance was much improved.

Sherratt’s work showed that a great coach can truly make a difference even in a short period.

His attention to selection and playing with greater speed was evident, and Wales should now have a lot of confidence heading into their upcoming matches with Scotland and England.

Scotland’s Attack and Forward Struggles

Scotland is a team full of exciting attacking talent, and when they have the ball, they play some of the most enjoyable rugby.

However, their inability to combine this with a strong forward performance is a problem when it comes to consistently winning tough Test matches.

Finn Russell, their No. 10, is undoubtedly a brilliant player, but much like the team itself, he’s prone to a mix of attacking brilliance and inconsistency.

Some basic skills, such as missed conversions, can prove costly in big games, like the ones against England.

While those missed kicks weren’t necessarily the sole reason for Scotland’s loss, they certainly contributed.

Ireland’s Confidence Builds Ahead of Grand Slam Challenge

Ireland’s hard-fought victory in Cardiff was a testament to their resilience, especially with several young players stepping up.

Despite being given a real scare, they showed their quality, and this will give them great confidence heading into their next big game against France.

If Ireland wins that match, they will be in a strong position to claim a Grand Slam.

Their current form and depth make them the team to beat, and all eyes will be on them as they aim to complete a clean sweep.

France’s Regret Over Twickenham Defeat Lingers

While France easily dispatched Italy in Rome, their minds must still be on their defeat to England at Twickenham.

That loss was a massive missed opportunity, as a win would have set up a Grand Slam decider with Ireland.

In their match against Italy, France showcased some brilliant attacking play, particularly from Antoine Dupont and young full-back Leo Barre, who looked impressive.

But despite the dominant win, France must reflect on how they let the England game slip away.

That loss will haunt them for a long time, as it ultimately cost them a shot at the Grand Slam.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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