When the 2026 Six Nations schedule was released, everyone circled March 14th. The tournament’s final fixture—France hosting England at the Stade de France—carries the weight of history, revenge, and quite possibly, a Grand Slam. This isn’t just another chapter in a rivalry spanning 120 years; it’s the potential climax of Steve Borthwick’s resurgence and Antoine Dupont’s redemption arc. For the 113th time since 1906, these two sides will collide, and if the form book holds, we’re in for an absolute war.
Match Details: Kick-off & Viewing Information
Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 4:10pm ET (8:10pm GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Broadcast: ITV (UK), RTE (ROI)
The Stade de France under lights for Le Crunch is one of rugby’s great amphitheaters—80,000 voices belting out La Marseillaise, the pitch fast and firm, and an atmosphere that can absolutely suffocate visiting sides. England know this ground well; they’ve been battered here before. The synthetic surface plays quick, which should suit both sides’ attacking ambitions, but historically, the occasion gets into opposition heads before the anthems finish.
For those of us not in Paris, The Winslow on 14th Street is the next best thing. This British-style pub has become the spiritual home for serious rugby heads in Manhattan. Expect dedicated match audio, proper pints, and a room packed with expats who’ll know exactly what’s at stake when Marcus Smith steps up for a late penalty or Dupont snipes from the base. Get there early—this one will be standing room only by kick-off.
The Tape: France—Les Bleus Reload
France enter this match as defending champions, but their 2025 title came with an asterisk: they limped over the line without their talisman after Dupont’s ACL injury against Ireland in Round 4. Now he’s back, fresh, and—by his own admission—mentally recharged. The question isn’t whether France are dangerous; it’s whether Fabien Galthié’s ruthless squad rotation has sharpened or destabilized his side.
The forward pack remains a monster. Even without the retired Uini Atonio, France’s scrum is technically superb, anchored by Cyril Baille and Julien Marchand. Their lineout maul is a siege weapon—ask Ireland, who conceded 14 points to driving mauls last year. The back row is where things get spicy: Galthié dropped Grégory Alldritt, opting for youth and dynamism over experience. That’s a bold call, but it signals intent: France want to play at pace, not grind.
Out wide, leaving out Damian Penaud—France’s all-time leading try-scorer—is either genius or lunacy. The replacements are electric: young wingers with gas and no fear of the occasion. Thomas Ramos at fullback provides the kicking game, while Gaël Fickou’s absence means a reshuffled midfield. But let’s be honest: when Dupont is on, none of that matters. His box-kicking, sniping, and ability to conjure tries from static ball makes France’s attack multidimensional. If England’s rush defense gets their spacing wrong, Dupont will punish it.
France’s Achilles heel? Discipline. They conceded 12 penalties in last year’s Twickenham loss, and Nic Berry won’t tolerate cynical breakdown work. If they give Smith easy shots at goal, this could slip away.
The Tape: England—Borthwick’s Believers
This isn’t the rudderless, penalty-machine England of 2023—this is a side that’s found its identity. Borthwick has blended youth with experience, and suddenly, England look like contenders, not pretenders.
The pack is mobile and aggressive. Ellis Genge and Jamie George give England front-foot ball, while the second row pairing of Maro Itoje and George Martin is world-class. But it’s the back row where England have evolved: Henry Pollock and Guy Pepper have added genuine jackal threat and pace over the ball. Against France’s quick ruck ball, that’s critical. If England can slow Dupont’s service by even a second, their drift defense can reorganize.
Marcus Smith has matured into a genuine playmaker. His running game stretches defenses, and crucially, his goal-kicking has improved—he’s hitting 85% this season. England will need every point. Outside him, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are the X-factors: both have genuine gas and can finish half-chances. If England can get quick ball to the edges, those two will exploit France’s sometimes lazy back-three positioning.
England’s challenge is simple: match France’s physicality up front and execute in the red zone. Last year at Twickenham, they won by a point because they were clinical when it mattered. In Paris, with 80,000 screaming at them, that composure will be tested like never before.
The gainline battle will be ferocious. Whoever wins the collision and generates quick ball will control territory and tempo.
The Verdict
This one goes down to the wire, and I’m calling France by 5.
Here’s why: Dupont at home in a potential Grand Slam decider is box-office, and France’s ability to score from anywhere—lineout mauls, broken play, intercepts—gives them multiple scoring platforms. England’s defense is excellent, but they haven’t faced an attack this multifaceted on this stage yet. The Stade de France crowd will be a 16th man, and France’s bench—stacked with explosive finishers—will tilt the final 20 minutes.
England will be right there. Smith will keep them in it with his boot, and their back row will make France earn every meter. But I expect France’s set-piece maul to be decisive, grinding out a try in the 60th minute that England can’t answer. If Berry pings England for offside in their rush defense—and he will—Ramos will punish them.
Final score: France 28, England 23.
Full Time
This is why we love the Six Nations. The final whistle of the tournament, two heavyweight rivals, silverware on the line, and 80 minutes of brutal, beautiful rugby. Whether it’s a Grand Slam coronation or a spoiler’s masterclass, this match will deliver.
Get to The Winslow early to secure a spot. Doors open well before kick-off at 4:10pm ET, and trust me—you want to be in that room when the anthems hit. See you on 14th Street. Allez les Bleus. Come on England. Let’s have it.
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